Why Some Prefer the Previous Avatar Films Over Avatar: Fire and Ash
Avatar: Fire and Ash hit theaters on December 19, 2025, bringing back James Cameron’s stunning world of Pandora with even bigger visuals and darker stories. But not everyone is on board. Some fans and critics say they like the first two movies, Avatar from 2009 and Avatar: The Way of Water from 2022, a lot more. Here is why.
The story in Fire and Ash feels too much like the old ones. People point out the same capture and rescue plots repeating over and over, with dialogue that sometimes makes them laugh in the wrong way. One critic called the runtime criminal at three hours and 14 minutes, longer than the original’s two hours and 42 minutes or Way of Water’s three hours and 12 minutes. For more on early reactions, check out https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/avatar-fire-and-ash-first-social-reactions/[1].
Many say the new film lacks fresh ideas. It is just more of the same visually amazing 3D action and clunky lines, with nothing new to surprise viewers. The setup with the fiery Ash People fighting peaceful Wind Traders feels familiar, like plots from before. Critics note it has ten different storylines that do not add much excitement. Early buzz calls it a take-it-or-leave-it movie, perfect for hardcore fans but not for those wanting change. Details on mixed reviews are here: https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/12/2/avatar-fire-and-ash-first-reactions-are-muxed[3].
The earlier films stand out for their impact. The original Avatar opened with $77 million in North America and went on to make $2.7 billion worldwide, winning three Oscars. Way of Water opened bigger at $134 million and hit $2.3 billion, earning another Oscar. They connected with people through Jake Sully’s journey and the Na’vi world in ways that felt new back then. Box office comparisons show this history: https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/avatar-fire-and-ash-north-america-box-office-how-james-camerons-newest-chapters-projected-opening-stacks-up-against-the-debuts-of-the-previous-two-movies-in-the-franchise/[5].
Some miss the unique touches from the past. Extended cuts of the first films added scenes like hunts or school moments that built the world better without dragging. Fire and Ash pushes the spectacle but repeats beats instead of breaking new ground. Runtime talk for rewatching the first two is in this piece: https://screenrant.com/avatar-movies-watch-this-weekend-6-hours/[4]. A video on alternate cuts highlights what worked before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_LcHOcynBs[2].
Fans who prefer the previous ones often say the magic came from discovery. Pandora felt alive and full of wonder the first times around. Now, with so many visits, the thrill fades for them, even if the effects still amaze.
Sources
https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/avatar-fire-and-ash-first-social-reactions/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_LcHOcynBs
https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/12/2/avatar-fire-and-ash-first-reactions-are-muxed
https://screenrant.com/avatar-movies-watch-this-weekend-6-hours/
https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/avatar-fire-and-ash-north-america-box-office-how-james-camerons-newest-chapters-projected-opening-stacks-up-against-the-debuts-of-the-previous-two-movies-in-the-franchise/
