Director James Cameron has promised a total of four 'Avatar' sequels, including the 2025 movie 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' The second movie in the franchise, Avatar: The Way of Water, was released in 2022, and the third movie, Avatar: Fire and Ash, premiered on Dec. 19, 2025

The RT Popcornmeter rating for Avatar: Fire and Ash is still pending. The first Avatar movie nabbed an 82% “fresh” Popcornmeter based on 250,000-plus user ratings, while the second movie earned a 92% “fresh” Popcornmeter score based on 25,000-plus user ratings.

It appears a third trip is one too many for some moviegoers, as Avatar: Fire and Ash has fallen short of industry estimates at both the domestic and international box offices this weekend.

A quick check on Rotten Tomatoes paints a picture of two completely different realities. Critics are calling it “repetitive” and slapping it with a franchise-low 67% score, while audiences are giving it a glowing 91%. Why the disconnect? I suspect it is because film critics are reviewing a movie. The audience is reviewing a video game.

"Avatar 3" director James Cameron unpacks "Fire and Ash" spoilers and why it's unlikely you'll see a fourth and fifth movie any time soon.

James Cameron has directed three Avatar movies so far: the original, The Way of Water, and Fire and Ash... but which one stands as the best overall?

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" is proving popular among audiences, but that doesn't mean it lacks scenes that will definitely upset fans.