Is 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' Suitable for Kids?

Avatar: Fire and Ash follows up two of the highest-grossing films ever made, but does its popularity extend to the younger generation?

The third installment of James Cameron’s sci-fi epic, which follows 2009’s Avatar and 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water, is set to release in theaters on December 19. It picks up the story after the death of Neteyam, as parents Jake and Neytiri are grappling with the grief. The conflict on Pandora escalates as they meet a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, whom the fiery Varang leads.

The all-star cast includes Sigourney Weaver as her original character’s (Dr. Grace Augustine) own child, Kiri, seemingly from an immaculate conception. Sam Worthington (Jake Sully) and Zoe Saldaña (Neytiri) return. It also stars Jack Champion (Spider), Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (Tuk), Kate Winslet (Ronal), Bailey Bass (Tsireya), Giovanni Ribisi (Parker Selfridge), Edie Falco (General Frances Ardmore), and Stephen Lang as the enemy (Quaritch).

Is Avatar: Fire and Ash Suitable For Tweens?

Avatar: Fire and Ash is rated PG-13, so it is suitable for teens but may be too scary or intense for younger kids. The Na’vi face war, intense violence, and death.

Here are some elements that parents should be aware of when deciding whether to watch with their kids:

Strong language: Luckily, the Na’vi people don’t use traditional curse words that you mightn’t want kids to hear, but they do have their own slang terms and absolutely use strong language in the more intense scenes.

Intense violence: While things aren’t as graphic due to the science fiction elements, there is a lot of fighting and some deaths during the war between the Na’vi tribes, and between the humans, or Sky People, and the Na’vi.

Bloody images: In the aftermath of the battle scenes and conflicts, there are injuries and bloody images.

Suggestive material: There’s nothing to worry about here. Na’vi people aren’t exactly covered up, but they’re not nude either. There is a kiss between two characters, but nothing sexual.

Is Avatar: Fire and Ash Scary?

That may depend on the viewer. Avatar: Fire and Ash has plenty of intense conflicts that may be hard to watch, but they’re not scary in the traditional sense of the word. That said, a new character in this film, Varang, has a scary look to her and has no fears about eliminating anyone.

Is Avatar: Fire and Ash Family-Friendly?

Avatar: Fire and Ash is best suited to families with preteens and teenagers. Because of its PG-13 rating, younger kids will need to be accompanied by parents, and some themes may be challenging for young kids to grasp.

That said, there are a lot of elements in the film that families will enjoy. The film includes a powerful portrayal of family bonds and makes a case for the importance of connection and acceptance.