The wait is finally over. James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ officially lands in theaters tomorrow, December 19, and if the early buzz is any indication, the box office is about to explode—again.
However, the release hasn’t been without drama. Just hours before the global rollout, reports surfaced that parts of the film may have leaked online, sending Disney’s legal team into overdrive.
The “Fire” Brings the Heat
Picking up where The Way of Water left off, the third installment introduces the “Ash People”, a more aggressive, volcanic clan of Na’vi led by the fiery Varang (played by Oona Chaplin).
Critics who caught early screenings are calling it “darker” and “more visually complex” than its predecessors. While the 2009 original was about wonder and the 2022 sequel was about family, Fire and Ash appears to be about war.
The Leak Rumors
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was flooded this morning with claims that a 20-minute segment of the film’s third act had been uploaded to piracy sites.
While Disney has not officially commented, several accounts sharing screenshots of the footage were suspended within minutes. This isn’t new for the franchise; The Way of Water faced similar threats in 2022. Box office analysts predict the leaks won’t dent the numbers, with the film projected to rake in over $340 million globally in its opening weekend.
What You Need to Know
- Release Date: Friday, December 19, 2025.
- Runtime: A bladder-testing 3 hours and 17 minutes (197 mins).
- Rating: PG-13 (Warning: Early reviews suggest intense battle scenes).
DailyNewsEdit will have a full, spoiler-filled review from our Editor-in-Chief Tamara Fellner this weekend.
While the film’s tone is darker, the premiere was nothing short of dazzling. See Miley Cyrus stealing the show on the red carpet over at our lifestyle partner, WomanEdit.
