Avatar

NZ release: 18 December 2009

Battle violence Rated on: 11 December 2009

avatar

What’s it about?

After a paraplegic marine is dispatched to Pandora on a mission to infiltrate the home of a native species, he finds himself torn between following orders and protecting his new world.

The facts

  • Directed by James Cameron (Titanic, The Terminator)
  • English and Spanish languages
  • Runtime: 161 minutes
  • Highest-grossing film of all time with more than $2.9 billion in box office
  • Oscars won for Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction

Why did it get this rating?

This film game was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Battle violence

The film contains fantasy war violence scenes, including explosions, gunfights, and intense combat scenes. There is a large, intense battle near the end of the film where many people are made unconscious by gas and some are stabbed, with many offscreen deaths implied.

Some of the strongest moments of violence include:

  • Soldiers are briefly bitten below the shoulders and thrown to their deaths by large dragon-like creatures, but no blood is shown
  • A soldier is shot by two arrows to the chest and dies, with some blood shown
  • One human-like alien uses a knife to put an injured panther-like animal out of its misery
  • In an intense scene, a man is chased by a large frightening tiger-like animal with sharp teeth, though he eventually escapes

Coarse language

The film contains some coarse language, with words like “sh*t,” “b*tch,” and “bastard.”

When content stays with you:

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

Further information

Recent featured decisions

03 February 2026

Wuthering Heights

“Wuthering Heights”

Sex scenes and offensive language

A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Inspired by Emily Bronte’s classic novel of the same name.

Read more

09 February 2026

Small Town Scandal, Season One

Tom Sainsbury's Small Town Scandal, Season one, Episodes 1-2

Coarse language, sexual references, violence

Small Town Scandal follows Toby, a disgraced journalist turned podcast host, who returns to his rural hometown to investigate the bizarre death of his millionaire uncle - killed, suspiciously, by an automatic lawnmower.

Read more