James Cameron’s Kids Favour The Last Airbender Over His Own Blockbuster

James Cameron, the bloke behind the record-smashing Avatar films, has let slip a bit of a family secret. Despite his own franchise raking in billions and changing the way we look at big-screen blockbusters, his kids are more taken with the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender than with his own cinematic creation. The revelation came up during a chat with Michaela Jill Murphy, who voiced Toph Beifong in the original series.

When Murphy asked Cameron which Avatar he reckons is the best, he admitted his children are much keener on the animated show. So, in his household, The Last Airbender takes the crown. It’s a bit of a laugh, considering the scale and success of his own films, but it’s a reminder that even the biggest names in Hollywood can’t always win over their own family’s tastes.

Comparing the Two Avatars

Looking at the numbers, Cameron’s films are nothing to sneeze at. The original Avatar runs for 2 hours and 41 minutes, came out in 2009, and boasts a 7.9/10 on IMDb, with an 81% Rotten Tomatoes score. Its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, stretches to 3 hours and 12 minutes, released in 2022, and holds a 7.5/10 rating and 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. The upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash is set for 2025, with early reviews giving it a 7.4/10 and 66% so far. The budgets are eye-watering, with the first film costing $237 million and the sequels each at $400 million, while the box office returns are in the billions.

Meanwhile, Avatar: The Last Airbender, created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, first aired in 2005. The show features a cast including Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dante Basco, and Michaela Jill Murphy. It’s got a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and ran for three seasons, earning a loyal following for its storytelling and characters.

Fans Back the Cameron Kids’ Choice

After Cameron’s comments made the rounds online, fans of The Last Airbender were quick to jump in with their support. Social media lit up with praise for his kids’ taste, with many agreeing that the animated series has more heart and stronger characters than the films. Some even joked that Cameron’s children “know ball” and have a sharp eye for quality storytelling.

One punter wrote,

Respectfully… his kids have better taste. The Last Airbender has actual characters and heart.

Another chimed in,

Everyone who has seen both also prefers the last Airbender over Avatar.

The sentiment was echoed across the board, with comments like,

His kids know ball 😂

and

Everyone prefers Avatar: The Last Airbender over Avatar

popping up all over X. There was even a bit of cheeky banter about how few people could name a single character from Cameron’s films compared to the animated series.

What Sets The Last Airbender Apart

The big draw for The Last Airbender, according to fans and critics alike, is its cast of well-developed characters. Aang, Zuko, Katara, and Sokka all go through proper growth, with their journeys feeling personal and packed with emotion. The show manages to tackle heavy themes like war, loss, identity, and spirituality in a way that’s accessible for younger viewers but still resonates with adults.

In contrast, Cameron’s films are often seen as more about the spectacle than the story. While they broke new ground with their visuals and special effects, some reckon they lack the depth and heart that make a story stick. The films do touch on big ideas like environmentalism and family, but many feel they don’t quite reach the same level of nuanced storytelling as the animated series.

Both the Avatar films and The Last Airbender are available to stream, with the former on Disney+ and the latter on Netflix. It’s clear which one gets top billing in the Cameron household, and plenty of fans are right there with them.