Avatar: Fire and Ash Rotten Tomatoes Score Ends a 40-Year James Cameron Streak

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James Cameron has consistently dominated the box office for years, not only with visually stunning films best experienced on large screens, but also with reliably well-made blockbusters. Despite never being nominated for an Oscar for his writing, he excels at creating compelling stories with characters people remember. Even the Avatar films, while perhaps not known for their complex plots, feature strong characters that keep the series engaging. That’s why audiences were eager to see how Avatar: Fire and Ash would be received, beyond just its impressive visuals.

It’s disappointing to report that Fire and Ash seems to be a turning point for director James Cameron. It’s his lowest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes (currently at 67%) and, for the first time in over four decades, one of his movies isn’t “Certified Fresh” on the site. Every feature film Cameron has directed since The Terminator in 1984 – including his documentaries – had previously earned that distinction. This is the first time since 1981’s Piranha II: The Spawning that a Cameron film hasn’t achieved this status.

Movie Rotten Tomatoes Score
The Terminator 90%
Aliens 94%
The Abyss 76%
Terminator 2: Judgment Day 91%
True Lies 77%
Titanic 88%
Ghosts of the Abyss 80%
Aliens of the Deep 84%
Avatar 81%
Avatar: The Way of Water 76%
Avatar: Fire and Ash 67%

Avatar: Fire and Ash Proves James Cameron Should Take a Break From the Franchise

To earn a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a movie needs a critics’ score of at least 75%. It’s now unlikely that Avatar: Fire and Ash will reach that goal. With 253 reviews already in – meaning most critics have shared their opinions – the score could still change slightly as more come in (similar to The Way of Water, which has 454 reviews). However, Fire and Ash would need a significant 8-point increase to become Certified Fresh, which is improbable. If the movie was going to achieve that status, it likely would have already.

The Avatar movies are still visually stunning, but each new installment has received lower ratings from critics. Fire and Ash might be a turning point. Most reviewers feel James Cameron is revisiting familiar territory, and the film struggles to offer a fresh story. A major criticism is that Fire and Ash repeats plot points from earlier movies, which is unexpected from a director known for innovation. Even the new villains, the Ash People, aren’t fully developed, as the film prioritizes repeating established themes.

While Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 are currently scheduled for release in 2029 and 2031, James Cameron has suggested he might take a break from the Avatar series. The success of The Way of Water will influence how quickly Avatar 4 gets made, but Cameron also wants to pursue other filmmaking projects and avoid working solely on Avatar for the foreseeable future. This could be a good thing, as the projected box office numbers for The Way of Water are lower than previous films, suggesting Cameron might benefit from a creative reset. Working on a different type of film would be a welcome change after nearly twenty years dedicated to large-scale science fiction movies.

Okay, let’s be honest: the ‘wow’ factor with Avatar is starting to fade a little. The first film was revolutionary, and The Way of Water really benefited from that huge gap between movies. After thirteen years, returning to Pandora felt new and exciting, especially with all the advancements in visual effects. But Fire and Ash, coming just three years later, doesn’t have that same impact. The visual jump isn’t as dramatic, and unfortunately, the story isn’t strong enough to compensate. James Cameron has said there’s a time jump before Avatar 4, and frankly, I think that’s a smart move. A break would allow audiences to miss the world of Pandora, and give Cameron time to address some of the criticisms of Fire and Ash and refine the stories for the remaining films. It feels like the right moment to pause and regroup.

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2025-12-20 19:12