Avatar: Fire and Ash is the third installment in the Avatar film series. It follows Avatar, released in 2009, and Avatar: The Way of Water, released in 2022.
The film is the second sequel to the original Avatar, which introduced the moon Pandora, the Na’vi, and former human soldier Jake Sully’s new life among the Na’vi. The Way of Water expanded the story through Jake’s family and the ocean-dwelling Metkayina clan, while Fire and Ash continues the larger narrative.
A common mix-up comes from the franchise’s shifting production plans. Cameron and the studio announced multiple sequels over several years, and the films experienced major release delays. That can make the numbering feel unclear, especially because Fire and Ash was sometimes discussed simply as “Avatar 3” before receiving its subtitle. It is the third released film in the series, not the third sequel.