James Cameron’s Avatar first premiered in London in 2009.
The film had its world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on December 10, 2009. It then opened theatrically in several markets in December, including the United States and Canada on December 18. This premiere date is distinct from the film’s later home-video releases and from its re-releases in theaters.
Avatar was Cameron’s first narrative feature since Titanic, released more than a decade earlier. Its production combined extensive computer-generated imagery with performance-capture work and stereoscopic 3D presentation. The story follows former Marine Jake Sully on Pandora, where he becomes involved with the Na’vi and the conflict over the moon’s resources.
Some references describe 2009 as the release year without distinguishing the London premiere, the initial theatrical opening, and later international dates. All belong to the film’s original 2009 release cycle.