Avatar 3 Music Is Getting Mixed Reactions
Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third movie in James Cameron’s epic series, hits theaters on December 19, 2025. Its music, composed by Simon Franglen, has fans and critics buzzing with a mix of excitement and debate. https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/Award-Winning-AVATAR-FIRE-AND-ASH-Composer-Simon-Franglens-Score-To-Be-Released-20251128 Some love the fresh sounds, while others feel it strays too far or sticks too close to the past.
Simon Franglen took over scoring duties after James Horner, who did the first Avatar in 2009. Franglen also scored the second film, Avatar: The Way of Water, which won him a World Soundtrack Award and racked up over 750 million streams. For Fire and Ash, Cameron pushed him to explore new ground. About 90 percent of the score is brand new, with lush themes for the aggressive Ash Clan and unique instruments from 3D designs that appear right in the movie. The soundtrack came out on December 5, 2025, from Hollywood Records, including a single called “Dream As One” sung by Miley Cyrus, co-written with Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt.
Early reactions show why opinions split. Many praise the epic scale and emotional depth that match the film’s bigger, darker story. Critics call it immersive and moving, with innovative textures that fit the thrilling action and deep character bonds. One review highlights how the music expands Pandora’s sound world, blending grand spectacle with intimate moments, just like in the second film.
But not everyone is on board. Some say the score feels too familiar, recycling bits from Way of Water and Horner’s original themes. Fans who cherished the first movie’s magical, otherworldly vibe worry the new chaos for the fire tribe drowns out that charm. A YouTube breakdown rates the movie high on visuals and action but lower on emotion, hinting the music might not hit as hard emotionally for all. Social media buzz notes the spectacle is jaw-dropping, yet repetition in the series makes the score seem safe rather than groundbreaking. https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/avatar-fire-and-ash-first-social-reactions/ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bez6pRqN9E0
Franglen aimed to capture the Ash Clan’s wild energy with fresh sounds, but that shift creates the divide. Die-hard fans of Horner’s iconic pipes and vocals miss the pure Pandora magic. Newcomers drawn by the visuals and action embrace the bolder mix. As the release nears, streams and theater talks will show if the music unites or keeps splitting the audience.
Sources
https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/Award-Winning-AVATAR-FIRE-AND-ASH-Composer-Simon-Franglens-Score-To-Be-Released-20251128
https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/avatar-fire-and-ash-first-social-reactions/
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bez6pRqN9E0
