"It’s going to surprise a lot of people": Guillermo del Toro calls the Avatar films "masterpieces" after watching all 3 films

In a recent chat with Konbini, acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has praised James Cameron's Avatar films to be "absolute masterpieces."

Del Toro, known for his visually stunning work in films like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, revealed he has seen not only the first two blockbusters but also an advanced cut of the upcoming third installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash. The Blade II director stated:

"I’ve seen the three Avatars. They are absolute masterpieces. I know where it’s going and I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people."

This comes right after the release of Frankenstein, del Toro's latest gothic psychological thriller film, which globally premiered on Netflix on November 7, 2025, following its limited theatrical release on October 17, 2025.

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Guillermo del Toro praises the Avatar trilogy as masterpieces after watching all three films

While he didn't disclose any specific details of the third film, Guillermo del Toro emphasized that Cameron is actively building the grand-scale Avatar mythology and predicted the franchise's future will be surprising and expansive. He also argued that the Titanic director deserves recognition alongside George Lucas and L. Frank Baum. He stated:

"I can’t say anything about [the third], but I can say there are very few Americans who have created an entire mythology. You have [George] Lucas. You have the entire ‘Wizard of Oz’ mythology with Frank Baum. Jim is creating that with Avatar, and he’s going to take you places."

James Cameron's next addition to the Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is slated for release on December 19, 2025. This time, the franchise is introducing its first Na'vi villain, Varang (Oona Chaplin), the leader of the Ash clan. It will also feature returning characters such as Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), among others.

Cameron has also begun preparing for Avatar Parts 4 and 5, which are scheduled for release in 2029 and 2031, respectively.

Meanwhile, del Toro’s Frankenstein continues to draw attention for its bold reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic novel. The film features Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi as the Creature, Mia Goth as Elizabeth, and Charles Dance as Baron Leopold Frankenstein, Victor’s father.

Now streaming on Netflix, Frankenstein embodies Guillermo del Toro’s signature style: a mix of fairy-tale romanticism, gothic beauty, and horror. It’s another reminder of the filmmaker’s enduring fascination with monsters, which he sees not as villains, but as reflections of humanity itself.

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Stay tuned for more updates.