Since its original release in 2009, Avatar has returned to theaters and aired on select cable channels many times, but it’s coming to broadcast TV for the first time ever this weekend. According to Collider, James Cameron’s science fiction epic will air on ABC on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m., Eastern Time.
Of course, audiences with a Disney+ subscription or a DVD of the movie can see Avatar at any time, but for those without either, now is their chance to recap the events of the first film before the sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, hits theaters on Dec. 16. While Avatar is often called one of the best IMAX films of all time, it’s still quite impressive on a regular TV screen. If you haven’t been introduced to the saga yet, this Sunday will provide an opportunity to see what the buzz is about.
If you’re unfamiliar with the premise, Avatar takes place in the future on a far-off but fertile moon called Pandora. The air on Pandora is toxic to humans, who need special machinery to breathe there as they mine the moon’s precious resources. A sentient but primitive race of tall, blue-skinned humanoids call the Na’vi live there, and the humans link with synthetic bodies resembling the Na’vi to communicate with them and explore Pandora. These synthetic bodies are called Avatars, hence the movie’s name.
Since there’s been a 13-year gap between Avatar movies, fans will likely want to refresh themselves on the series - if they haven’t already. Avatar has been re-released in theaters multiple times. Its most recent stint in cinemas was in September of this year, which continued to increase the film’s already record-breaking box office numbers. Avatar will also air on Freeform on Dec. 15 and 18 and again on FX on Dec. 26.
Early Showings of Avatar: The Way Of Water Have Positive Reviews
20th Century Studios
Although it’s yet to be released everywhere, advanced screenings of Avatar: The Way of Water have been met with warm receptions, with many audiences calling it better than the first.
A broadcast TV release is a smart bet for the producers since audiences usually don’t want to watch a sequel without at least loosely remembering the original. Because Avatar: The Way of Water will be one of the most expensive films ever made, it will need to smash into the box office to recover its costs and do even better than that for further sequels to be released. James Cameron has already written four Avatar sequels and partially filmed two of them.
Avatar was directed, written, and produced by James Cameron and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It starred Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang. Avatar: The Water of Water has most of the original cast returning and is set to release in theaters later this month, on Dec. 16.
