By Marquee Editorial3 entries
The Avatar franchise consists of a series of feature-length science fiction films set on the alien moon Pandora. The story begins in the 22nd century with a paraplegic Marine dispatched on a unique mission who becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization. The narrative continues more than a decade later, following the Sully family, including Jake, Neytiri, and their children, as they face ongoing struggles, danger, and tragedy to keep each other safe and stay alive. Following those events, the family confronts a new threat from a violent Na'vi tribe known as the Ash People in the wake of a devastating war. Because these films form a continuous serialized narrative following the same central characters and escalating conflicts, watching them in release order is essential for understanding the overarching story and character developments.

Avatar
Movie, 2009
This foundational 2009 film introduces the moon Pandora, the 22nd-century mission, and the central conflict where a Marine becomes torn between orders and protecting an alien civilization.

Avatar: The Way of Water
Movie, 2022
Set more than a decade after the first film, this 2022 sequel shifts focus to the Sully family, detailing the trouble, safety measures, battles, and tragedies they experience.

Read what its ending meant, or search for another franchise.
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Movie, 2025
This 2025 entry follows the devastating war and the loss of the eldest son, presenting a new threat from the violent and power-hungry Ash People led by Varang.
Read the ending explained| # | Title | Type | Year | Rating | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avatar | Movie | 2009 | ★ 7.6 | Not yet |
| 2 | Avatar: The Way of Water | Movie | 2022 | ★ 7.6 | Not yet |
| 3 | Avatar: Fire and Ash | Movie | 2025 | ★ 7.6 | Ending explained |
Average audience ratings, in watch order.
You should start with the original 2009 film, Avatar, which introduces the setting of Pandora, the initial mission, and the core characters before moving on to the subsequent sequels.
Yes, release order is required because the films follow a continuous chronological narrative tracking the Sully family and ongoing conflicts across Pandora over time.
None of the entries can be skipped. Each film builds directly upon the previous events, characters, and escalating conflicts within the ongoing story.
Watch in this order: 1. Avatar, 2. Avatar: The Way of Water, 3. Avatar: Fire and Ash.
This guide lists 3 entries, released between 2009 and 2025.
Avatar: Fire and Ash has the highest average rating in this guide, at 7.6 out of 10.
Avatar: Fire and Ash. Each links to a full guide with a recap, the ending, and an FAQ.