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Action thriller

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) movie poster

Avatar: The Way of Water is a 2022 action thriller directed by James Cameron, starring Sam Worthington as Jake, Zoe Saldana and Jamie Flatters. It runs 3 hours 12 minutes and earned $2.34 billion worldwide on a $460 million budget. It won 1 Oscar, including Visual Effects, and 7 awards in all. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
76%
worldwide gross
$2.3B
Oscar won
1
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Watch the trailer Plot & ending explained
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
3h 12m (192 min)
Director
James Cameron
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Budget
$460M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Avatar: The Way of Water About?

The premise of Avatar: The Way of Water without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Years after their initial encounter, Jake Sully and Neytiri have built a family and face new threats as they navigate the stunning aquatic world of Pandora. When familiar dangers return, they are forced to leave their home and explore the regions of the Metkayina clan. To protect their children and way of life, Jake and Neytiri must confront their past and fight for survival against relentless adversaries.

Avatar: The Way of Water Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • underwater
  • ocean
  • jungle
  • water
  • second part
  • sequel
  • coming of age
  • science fantasy
  • forest
  • future
  • native
  • alien
+38 more
  • planet
  • director also editor
  • alien race
  • tribe
  • fictional planet
  • pandora
  • epic sci fi
  • sea
  • bow and arrow
  • horn the musical instrument
  • alien creature
  • aquatic alien
  • family relationships
  • reef
  • motion capture
  • blue skin
  • underwater scene
  • 3d
  • 3 dimensional
  • blockbuster
  • space opera
  • spaceship
  • spacecraft
  • space station
  • zero gravity
  • hologram
  • torture
  • interrogation
  • colonel
  • colonialism
  • tree of life
  • supernatural power
  • teenage love
  • love at first sight
  • face paint
  • teenage daughter
  • teenage son
  • brother brother relationship
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Cast & crew

Avatar: The Way of Water Cast & Characters

Sam Worthington leads the cast as Jake, with Zoe Saldana as Neytiri and Jamie Flatters as Neteyam. Directed by James Cameron; 22 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Avatar: The Way of Water

· 18 more
Show all 22 cast members
From the director

More from James Cameron

More films directed by James Cameron, best-rated first: Aliens, The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Avatar.

Full filmography
Ratings

Avatar: The Way of Water Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Avatar: The Way of Water 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in character & emotion (38).

66 /100

Avatar: The Way of Water Echo Score Breakdown

Avatar: The Way of Water excels in visual and technical execution, delivering immersive underwater scenes and vibrant color palettes that dominate the viewing experience. Critics and audiences alike commend the cinematography, special effects, and sensory design, while repeatedly noting a lack of narrative depth and weak character development. The film’s strengths in craftsmanship are offset by its uneven storytelling, resulting in a mixed but memorable spectacle.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    The film’s art and craft are its most praised elements, with critics highlighting the masterful cinematography, stunning production design, and groundbreaking technology. Visuals are described as mesmerizing, vibrant, and immersive, creating a spectacle that often overshadows other components. This consensus of high technical quality places the artistic execution at the top end of the scale.

  • Character & Emotion 38

    Character depth and emotional resonance receive limited acclaim, with several reviewers calling the performances one‑dimensional and lacking conviction. Critics note an absence of genuine emotional stakes, and users echo concerns about flat character arcs. The overall sentiment points to underdeveloped figures that fail to engage viewers on a personal level.

  • Story & Flow 40

    Narrative cohesion and pacing are identified as weak points; reviewers describe the plot as predictable, overly long, and less engaging than the original. Dialogue is frequently labeled clunky, and the story is said to rely heavily on visual spectacle rather than substantive progression. These observations lead to a below‑average rating for story.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    The sensory experience garners strong praise for its immersive soundscape, dynamic score, and cohesive visual style. Critics and audiences consistently mention the breathtaking score and sound design that complement the vivid imagery. This unified sensory impact elevates the film’s overall appeal, justifying a high score in this category.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    Rewatch potential is moderate to high, with many viewers expressing enthusiasm for repeat viewings, especially in IMAX or 3D formats. While the technical brilliance encourages multiple experiences, the weaker narrative limits long‑term appeal for some audiences. The balance of repeatable visual spectacle and narrative limitations results in a solid rewatch factor.

Plot

Avatar: The Way of Water Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Avatar: The Way of Water from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

More than a decade has passed since the Na’Vi successfully defended Pandora from human invaders. Now, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who once was a human but became deeply connected to the Na’Vi, lives as the chief of the Omaticaya clan alongside his wife, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). Together, they raise a vibrant family that includes their sons, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and Lo’Ak (played by Britain Dalton), their biological daughter Tuk (Trinity Bliss), their adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver)—born from Grace Augustine’s (who lived through a Na’Vi avatar) legacy—and a human boy named Spider (Jack Champion), the son of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who remains tied to Pandora.

Full summary

The whole story of Avatar: The Way of Water, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Avatar: The Way of Water Box Office & Budget

Avatar: The Way of Water grossed $2.34 billion worldwide on a $460 million budget, 5.1 times what it cost. $688.5 million came from the US and Canada and $1.66 billion (71%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.3B

5.1× its budget

US & Canada
$688.5M
International
$1.7B
Budget
$460M
US & Canada 29% Rest of the world 71%
Awards

Avatar: The Way of Water Awards & Nominations

Avatar: The Way of Water won 1 Oscar, including Visual Effects, and 7 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Saturn Awards 2024, with 4 wins from 12 nominations.

7 wins29 nominations8 ceremonies

Show all 8 ceremonies
Videos

Avatar: The Way of Water Trailers & Videos

65 videos: 3 trailers, 24 teasers, 4 clips, 25 featurettes and 9 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 65 videos
Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer New Trailer
  • Teaser Official Trailer Online Now
  • Teaser Tune In
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Avatar: The Way of Water?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Jake Sully's position within the Omaticaya clan?
Details

Avatar: The Way of Water Also Known As

59 alternative titles, including “Įsikūnijimas 2” and “Аватар 2”.

Also known as
  • Įsikūnijimas 2
  • Аватар 2
  • Avatar 2
  • アバター：ウェイ・オブ・ウォーター
  • أفاتار: طريق المياه
  • ଅବତାର ୨
  • Аватар: Путь воды
  • Avatar: El sentit de l'aigua
  • Avatar 2 - The Way of Water
  • Avatar 2 - O Caminho da Água
  • Avatar: Istota Wody
  • Avatar: Cesta vody
+47 more
  • Avatar: Dòng Chảy Của Nước
  • Аватар: Су жолы
  • Avatar 2: The Way of Water
  • Avatar 2 - La Voie de l'eau
  • Аватар: Природата на водата
  • Avatar : la voie de l'eau, ავატარი: წყლის გზა
  • अवतार: द वे ऑफ वोटर
  • Avatar: A víz útja
  • Avatar: La via dell'acqua
  • ಅವತಾರ್: ದಿ ವೇ ಆ ವಾಟರ್
  • അവതാർ: ദി വേ ഓഫ് വാട്ടർ
  • அவதார்: தி வே ஆப் வாட்டர்
  • అవతార్: ది వే ఆఫ్ వాటర్
  • 阿凡达：水之道
  • Avatar: O Caminho da Água
  • Avatar: Calea apei
  • Avatar: El sentido del agua
  • Avatar: El camino del agua
  • อวตาร: วิถีแห่งสายน้ำ
  • Avatar: Suyun Yolu
  • Аватар 2: Шлях води
  • 阿凡達：水之道
  • Avatar: Put vode
  • Аватар: Пут воде
  • Avatar: Vee olemus
  • אווטאר: דרכם של המים
  • 아바타: 물의 길
  • Avatars: Ūdensceļš
  • Įsikūnijimas. Vandens kelias
  • Ավատար․ Ջրի ուղին
  • ອະວະຕາຣ : ວິຖີແຫ່ງສາຍນ້ຳ
  • アバター：ウェイ・オブ・ウォーター：2022
  • Avatar: 2 - El sentido del agua
  • Avatar The Way of Water
  • Avatar: Der Weg des Wassers
  • أفاتار 2
  • 阿凡达2：水之道
  • Avatar - La via dell'acqua
  • Avatar : La Voie de l'eau
  • Аватар: Шлях води
  • Avatar 2: Dòng Chảy Của Nước
  • آواتار: راه آب
  • अवतार: द वे ऑफ़ वॉटर
  • Avatar: El sentit de l’aigua
  • Avatar: Pot vode
  • Ավատար. Ջրի ուղին
  • Įsikūnijimas: Vandens kelias

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FAQ

Avatar: The Way of Water FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Avatar: The Way of Water, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Avatar: The Way of Water?

Avatar: The Way of Water runs 3 hours 12 minutes (192 minutes).

When was Avatar: The Way of Water released?

Avatar: The Way of Water was released on December 16, 2022.

Who directed Avatar: The Way of Water?

Avatar: The Way of Water was directed by James Cameron.

More films by James Cameron

Who is in the cast of Avatar: The Way of Water?

Avatar: The Way of Water stars Sam Worthington as Jake, Zoe Saldana as Neytiri and Jamie Flatters as Neteyam, among 22 credited actors.

How much did Avatar: The Way of Water make at the box office?

Avatar: The Way of Water grossed $2.34 billion worldwide ($688.5 million domestic, $1.66 billion international) on a budget of $460 million.

How is Avatar: The Way of Water rated?

Avatar: The Way of Water has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

What awards did Avatar: The Way of Water win?

Avatar: The Way of Water won 7 awards from 29 nominations, including Best Film Direction at the Saturn Awards 2024.

Does Avatar: The Way of Water have a post-credit scene?

No. Avatar: The Way of Water has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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