How to watch ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’: Where to stream the blockbuster sequel

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James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” is now available to watch online. The blockbuster sequel revives the franchise 13 years after the first “Avatar” became the highest-grossing film of all time. You can stream the movie with a Disney Plus or Max subscription, or buy it from digital retailers like Amazon.

“Avatar: The Way of Water” picks up over a decade after the events of “Avatar,” following Jake and Neytiri as they raise their children on Pandora. When the Sully family is forced to leave their home and explore new regions of the planet, an ancient threat resurfaces and Jake must once again gear up to fight the humans.

Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana reprise their roles from “Avatar” as Jake Sully and Neytiri, respectively. Sigourney Weaver also returns, but this time she’s playing a new character named Kiri. Other new roles in “Avatar 2” include Kate Winslet as the free diver Ronal, Cliff Curtis as Ronal’s husband Tonowari, and Britain Dalton as Jake and Neytiri’s second son Lo’ak.

Like the original movie, “Avatar: The Way of Water” is directed by James Cameron (“Titanic”). The film was nominated for best picture at the 2023 Oscars and Golden Globes.

How to watch ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

You can now watch “Avatar: The Way of Water” from the comfort of your couch on Disney Plus or Max. The movie made its subscription streaming debut on June 7. It’s also available to buy from digital retailers like Amazon.

The cheapest way to watch “Avatar: The Way of Water” is with a Disney Plus subscription. Ad-supported plans cost $8 a month, while ad-free streaming is $11 a month. Both plans include access to “The Way of Water” in 4K with Dolby Vision HDR for the most immersive viewing experience on a 4K TV. The ad-free plan also adds Dolby Atmos audio support.

Due to existing licensing deals between 20th Century Studios and HBO, “Avatar: The Way of Water” is also available on the Max streaming service. Max is a bit more expensive than Disney Plus, however, especially if you want the best streaming quality. Subscriptions cost $10 a month for ad-supported HD streaming, $16 a month for ad-free HD streaming, or $20 a month for ad-free 4K streaming with Dolby Atmos.

Disney Plus Ad-Supported (Monthly Plan)

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Max Monthly Plan

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If you’d rather pay a one-time fee to watch “Avatar: The Way of Water” rather than sign up for a subscription service, you can also buy a digital copy of the movie from Amazon, Vudu, and Apple TV. “The Way of Water” costs $20 to buy in up to 4K quality with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio.

Once you buy a digital copy of the film, you can stream it whenever you like with no restrictions. A rental option is not currently available, but will likely launch later this year.

“Avatar: The Way of Water” (Digital Purchase)

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Will there be more ‘Avatar’ sequels?

Disney already has three more “Avatar” sequels in development and scheduled on its upcoming release slate.

Although it took 13 years for the first “Avatar” sequel to arrive, rest assured that the additional sequels will be released in a timelier manner. “Avatar 3” is set for December 2024, “Avatar 4” for December 2026, and “Avatar 5” for December 2028.

Depending on the box office and critical successes of the next several “Avatar” sequels, James Cameron could decide to expand the franchise even more.

Is ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ worth watching?

Critical reactions to “Avatar: The Way of Water” indicate that it’s well worth a watch. The movie holds a “76% Certified Fresh” score on the review-aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. It was also nominated for best picture at the 2023 Oscars.

While the film’s story is basic, the striking visuals make it an immersive experience tailored especially for theatrical viewings. The sequel repeats one of the biggest draws of the first “Avatar” movie in terms of being a groundbreaking visual spectacle.

For those who enjoy James Cameron’s direction, sci-fi epics, and visually immersive experiences, “Avatar: The Way of Water” should be worth a watch.

Where can I watch the first ‘Avatar’ movie?

Neytiri and Jake in “Avatar” (2009).

20th Century Fox

The first “Avatar” movie is now streaming on Disney Plus for all subscribers to watch.

If you don’t have a subscription to Disney Plus, you can rent ($4) or buy ($15) the first “Avatar” movie from digital retailers like Amazon.

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Check out the trailer for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

Jordan Williams

Freelance Writer

Jordan Williams is a freelance contributor for Insider Reviews. She covers streaming service trends, value comparisons, and content availability. She has been writing about streaming and the entertainment industry since 2021, having published over 1,000 articles to date across different publications.
Since 2021, Jordan has been a movie/TV features writer at Screen Rant, where she has also covered industry news, exclusive events, set visits, and reviews. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Oregon in 2020 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Media Studies.
When not writing about tech or movies, Jordan enjoys exploring the natural beauties of the Pacific Northwest. She can also be found posting reviews on Letterboxd or rewatching “Schitt’s Creek” for the umpteenth time.