The third film in James Cameron’s blockbuster series, Avatar: Fire and Ash, does not include a mid-credits or post-credits scene. Fans can leave the theater as soon as the film ends without missing any additional story content, as the director continues his established tradition of not adding teasers after the credits roll.
For audiences heading to theaters to see the latest Pandoran adventure, the question of whether to stay seated through the lengthy credits has a simple answer: no. Avatar: Fire and Ash follows the pattern set by its predecessors; neither 2009’s Avatar nor 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water contained post-credit scenes. James Cameron has never included this type of extra footage in his films, and his third installment is no exception. While the credits do feature an original song by Miley Cyrus titled ‘Dream as One’, created specifically for the film, there is no narrative scene to wait for.
Why the Film Lacks a Teaser for the Future
The absence of a post-credits scene is a deliberate creative choice, closely tied to the uncertain future of the franchise. Despite having ambitious plans for a five-film saga, James Cameron and the studio have been clear that the continuation of the series depends on the box office performance of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Cameron has openly stated that if this third film does not generate sufficient profit, plans for the fourth and fifth installments could be shelved. With the film’s budget estimated to be in the range of $400 million, the financial stakes are extraordinarily high. This reality makes setting up a future film with a teaser scene a risky prospect. As one analysis notes, the filmmakers wisely “don’t want to put the cart before the horse”.
“It is one metric fuck ton of money, which means we have to make two metric fuck tons of money to make a profit. I have no doubt in my mind that this movie will make money. The question is, does it make enough money to justify doing it again?” – James Cameron on the budget and future of the franchise.
What You Can Expect During the Credits
Although there is no bonus scene, the end credits of Avatar: Fire and Ash offer a complete audiovisual experience worth considering. The most notable feature is the debut of Miley Cyrus’s original song, ‘Dream as One’.
Cyrus shared that the song’s themes of “unity, healing, and love” connect directly to the journey of the Sully family in the film. For fans of the series’ music and visuals, staying to listen to the full track as the credits showcase the film’s artistry can be a satisfying way to complete the theatrical experience.
Additionally, the credits include a tribute card honoring a late producer and long-time collaborator of James Cameron. This serves as a moment of respect for the behind-the-scenes team that brings the world of Pandora to life.
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The Film’s Ending and Franchise Trajectory
Without a post-credits scene, the story of Avatar: Fire and Ash is fully contained within its main runtime. The film concludes in a way that provides a sense of closure for this chapter while leaving narrative threads available for future exploration. Cameron has described the third movie as feeling like “the end of a major chapter in the story”.
Major character arcs reach pivotal moments, particularly for Spider (Jack Champion), whose connection to Pandora undergoes a profound change, and the ongoing conflict between the Sully family and Colonel Quaritch. The film resolves its immediate conflicts but does not definitively shut the door on the broader saga.
The planned release dates for the next films are tentatively set for 2029 for Avatar 4 and 2031 for Avatar 5. However, these dates are entirely contingent on the commercial success of the current film. Cameron has confirmed that a significant portion of the fourth film has already been shot, but its ultimate green light rests with the audience’s reception.
Also Read: Avatar: Fire and Ash Ending Explained: The Eventual Fate of Varang and Quaritch Revealed
