Avatar

In the mid-22nd century, paraplegic former Marine Jake Sully takes his twin brother's place in a program on Pandora, a lush moon with a valuable mineral and an indigenous people called the Na'vi. Through an artificially grown Na'vi body he can walk again, and his assignment puts him at the center of research, diplomacy, and military pressure. Spending time with the Na'vi, learning their ways and forming a bond with Neytiri, Jake's priorities shift, and what began as obedience to orders becomes complicated by personal ties and moral questions. The film follows his changing loyalties amid rising conflict, focusing on the human and cultural costs without revealing key twists or the outcome.

Avatar was written and directed by James Cameron and released in 2009. Cameron pushed new motion-capture techniques and stereoscopic 3D into mainstream cinema to build an original, fully realized alien world rather than adapt existing material.

On release it became the highest grossing film worldwide at the time, drawing massive audiences and driving a revival of 3D theatrical exhibition. Its box office dominance helped justify sequels and an expanded franchise across media.

The film earned nine Academy Award nominations and won three Oscars, taking home honors for art direction, cinematography, and visual effects. It also received multiple BAFTA and industry technical awards, recognition that highlighted its production craft and technological advances.

Critics and audiences often praised the immersive visuals and worldbuilding while noting the story follows familiar narrative beats. Central themes include environmental protection, resistance to militarized exploitation, and questions of identity and belonging, presented through Jake's personal transformation and the clash between cultures.