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Enter the world of Pandora.

2009162 minPG-13Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films
Director
James Cameron
Starring
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang

In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Avatar?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Avatar streaming on Disney+ and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Avatar?

Avatar earns 12 badges, led by Oscar Winner and Modern classic.

Show 4 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Avatar worth watching?

Avatar's Midcredits score is the 95th percentile of all films, from 4.9M ratings across 6 sources. 83% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

95th percentile

Better received than 95% of films

97th percentile among Action95th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)94th
Approval (how many liked it)93rd

78 /100

94th percentile of all films

98th percentile among Action95th percentile among 2000s

Critics 83 · Audience 77

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

83% liked it

93rd percentile of all films

95th percentile among Action93rd percentile among 2000s
83% rated it 7–1017% rated it 1–6

Critics 81% · Audience 82%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

2 Oscars won · 6 Oscar noms · 38 wins / 61 noms overall

  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Cinematography
  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Visual Effects

99th percentile

4.9M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 40 days to Oct 26Down 44% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$237M
Opening weekend$77M
Domestic gross$785M
Worldwide gross$2.9B

Returned 12.3× its budget — 99th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It is a visually stunning spectacle with a simple, unoriginal story.

Fans praised

  • groundbreaking visual effects and immersive world-building
  • spectacular action sequences and 3D experience
  • James Cameron's visionary direction and technical ambition

Detractors panned

  • derivative story familiar from Dances with Wolves / Pocahontas
  • flat characters and wooden dialogue
  • predictable plot beats and simplistic morality

What stands out

Effects and spectacle95

groundbreaking CGI, photorealistic creatures, immersive world

Cinematography90

stunning visuals, lush Pandora landscapes, groundbreaking 3D

Atmosphere90

totally immersive, bioluminescent world feels real

Acting60

solid but overshadowed by effects; Saldana shines, Weaver fine, some cheesy lines

CharactersDivisive35

predictable archetypes, thin development, paper-thin villain

Plot and storyDivisive30

derivative formula, predictable, manichean good vs evil

Dialogue30

often cheesy, stilted, unquotable

Originality25

derivative of many earlier works, though Pandora concept is unique

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 5 points apart
  • Critics vs users 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 6 points apart

Watch experience

What is Avatar like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is intense and leaves you fired up.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseTriumphantRomantic
Heaviest: late
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsEpic · 2% of films: Vast in scale: big landscapes, big stakes, a long span.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film presents its story with earnest conviction, treating the lush alien world and the Na'vi culture with genuine reverence and awe, while the conflict is played straight as a serious struggle.
The rideThe film moves from wonder and romance to escalating tension and a climactic battle that carries the emotional weight.
StructureThe story follows a straightforward chronological structure from Jake's arrival on Pandora through his transformation and the final battle.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

The answer rests on this: Rousing · 10% of filmsHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the audience with a sense of triumph for the Na'vi and a hopeful vision of harmony with nature, despite the sacrifices along the way.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% (this title) · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Corporate villainy: A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeJake Sully, a paraplegic Marine, infiltrates the Na'vi as a spy for a corporate mining operation but eventually sides with them to fight the exploitative humans.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9% (this title): Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% (this title) · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Society

Community · 14% of filmsNature · 2% of filmsIdentity · 14% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the bonds of the Na'vi community and their connection to nature, contrasted with the destructive greed of the human invaders, while Jake's journey is one of identity as he finds his true self among the Na'vi.
StanceThe film interrogates the conflict between corporate greed and the value of community and nature, presenting a nuanced view through Jake's moral dilemma.

The world

Far futureWildernessInstitutionalRuralScience fiction
Orchestral classicalWorldForeground music · original score · James Horner
SettingPandora, a lush alien moon with a corporate military base and indigenous Na'vi clans.
MusicHorner's sweeping, choral-heavy score blends orchestral grandeur with indigenous-inspired vocals, underpinning the film's epic and spiritual tone.

Content guide

Is Avatar okay for kids?

PG-13

Avatar is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking” (MPAA). As of October 26, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (63/100), sexual content at moderate (36/100), language at moderate (54/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (31/100) and frightening material at intense (62/100). Overall it is heavier than 82% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 40 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil10
  • Argentina+13
  • Austria12
  • Belgium14
  • BGC
  • Czechia12+
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceK12
  • Hong KongIIA
  • Hungary16
  • IsraelAll
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-7
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • PhilippinesR-13
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/6
  • PRPG-13
  • RO12
  • Russia12+
  • SK12
  • South Africa13
  • Spain7
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland12
  • Taiwan0+
  • TH13
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 51% of all filmsHeavier than 82% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 80%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 66%
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 78%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 49%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 79%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Avatar have?

MovieCove's classifier found 6 depicted content warnings in Avatar: Animal death (moderate), Gun violence (moderate), Gore or body horror (mild), plus 3 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateAnimal deathGun violence
MildGore or body horror

Cast and crew

Who is in Avatar?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Sam Worthington
as Jake Sully
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Zoe Saldaña
as Neytiri
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sigourney Weaver
as Grace
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Stephen Lang
as Colonel Miles Quaritch
Michelle Rodriguez
as Trudy Chacon
Giovanni Ribisi
as Parker Selfridge
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Joel David Moore
as Norm Spellman
CCH Pounder
as Mo'at
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Wes Studi
as Eytukan
Laz Alonso
as Tsu'tey

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Avatar?

Movies like Avatar include Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) and Aliens (1986). Of the 12 closest matches, half are films set in the far future, and several are alien-contact stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

James Cameron wrote and directed 4 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

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