Avatar (2009)
Action, Science Fiction, Adventure
83Kernel Score — Universal Acclaim, 0 reviews
The Kernel take
A Metascore of 83 represents a rare critical consensus for a $237M spectacle, but the real validation arrives via box office: $2.92B worldwide makes this less a film than a cultural event that justified every penny of its massive budget.
Director track record: James Cameron
Avatar (83) sits well above James Cameron's own 65.8-point average across 11 scored films — a major outlier in his filmography, though it trails The Terminator (84), his highest-reviewed work to date.
Lead track record: Sam Worthington
Avatar (83) sits well above Sam Worthington's own 50.7-point average across 18 scored films — a career-defining performance, and notably his best-reviewed film to date, exceeding his previous high of Somersault (73).
Box office
Budget $237M · Box office $2,923.7M