With the premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash in theaters, it is the perfect moment to revisit the first two installments of James Cameron`s groundbreaking sci-fi saga. Stock has recently been replenished for the comprehensive Collector’s Edition 4K Blu-rays of Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water. These releases represent the most exhaustive versions of the films available, bundling 4K and standard Blu-ray discs along with a wealth of special features, some of which are exclusive to these high-end editions.
Avatar Collector`s Edition (4K)
This comprehensive four-disc set is loaded with extra content. It includes the theatrical, special edition, and extended cuts of Avatar in stunning 4K resolution, plus a standard Blu-ray copy and a digital streaming version of the film.
The true value of this edition lies in the hours of exclusive bonus materials. Content ranges from deleted scenes to an in-depth deconstruction of how several major sequences were created and filmed. Additionally, the set features a behind-the-scenes presentation by producer Jon Landau, promotional materials from the RDA featuring Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, and featurettes exploring the script, art, and marketing of the film. Given the pioneering visual effects utilized in the film`s production, these deep dives offer an extensive and educational look behind the curtain.
Avatar: The Way of Water Collector`s Edition (4K)
Mirroring the breadth of the first film`s collector`s set, this four-disc edition of the sequel is packed with over eight hours of bonus materials. These featurettes thoroughly explore the movie`s production and expand the narrative with several deleted and extended scenes. All discs are presented inside a fold-out case featuring unique artwork from the movie, and the content supports Dolby Vision.
Other Available Editions
Standard Edition (4K)
A standard 4K Blu-ray edition of the first Avatar is a solid option for those who prioritize picture quality. This three-disc set still offers around three hours of bonus materials and includes the upscaled edits from the 2022 theatrical remaster, though it excludes the extended scenes found in the Collector`s Edition. Similarly, Avatar: The Way of Water is available in a standard edition 4K Blu-ray release, providing a high-quality disc version while being a more cost-effective choice than the comprehensive Collector`s Edition.
3D Blu-ray Versions
For enthusiasts who own a 3D television, 3D Blu-ray versions are available for both films. Avatar is widely considered the gold standard for the format; this version uses the theatrical cut and includes a standard (non-3D) Blu-ray and a digital copy, along with the same bonus materials as the standard 4K edition. The 3D release of The Way of Water also includes over three hours of extra content, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and a standard Blu-ray copy.
The Saga of Pandora
Directed by James Cameron (known for cinematic milestones like Terminator 2, Aliens, and Titanic), the Avatar series is set in the 22nd Century on the distant alien world of Pandora. The story centers on the conflict between the indigenous Na`vi species and human colonizers, who seek to pillage the world for its valuable resources. The saga follows Jake Sully, a human whose consciousness is transferred into a genetically engineered Na’vi body on a mission to infiltrate the resistance. However, Sully quickly finds himself won over by the Na`vi way of life and eventually joins their side to push back the invading human forces.
The first two films in the series, Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, are among the most successful movies ever made, jointly grossing over $5.2 billion at the global box office. The third film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, premiered to positive reviews and achieved a robust opening weekend gross of $345 million globally. Cameron plans to conclude this epic cinematic saga with two additional films, with Avatar 4 tentatively planned for December 2029, followed by the fifth and final movie in December 2031.