The Golden Globe nominations have arrived, bringing with them a mix of expected contenders and pleasant surprises. While acclaimed titles like One Battle After Another and Sentimental Value earned recognition for their critical and emotional impact, one nomination left audiences puzzled: Avatar: Fire and Ash—a film that hasn’t even released in theatres yet.
Despite its December 19, 2025 release date, James Cameron’s highly anticipated sequel has already secured two major Golden Globe nominations. With early reviews being overwhelmingly positive, these nominations only fuel the growing anticipation surrounding the film. But how does a movie that no one has publicly seen yet qualify for awards consideration?
The Nominations: A Strong Start Before Release
Avatar: Fire and Ash has received nominations for:
- Best Original Song
- Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
These categories mark the film’s entry into the awards circuit even before audiences step into the theatre. While fans expressed surprise online, many also applauded the confidence the Golden Globes and industry insiders seem to have in Cameron’s latest creation.
James Cameron—known for turning every Avatar installment into a box office phenomenon—continues delivering cinematic spectacles that push the boundaries of technology and worldbuilding. Though he has previously hinted at fatigue with the franchise, the continued commercial success keeps motivating further installments.
How Did Avatar: Fire and Ash Qualify for a Golden Globe?
The Golden Globes have specific eligibility criteria for the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category, and surprisingly, a film does not need to be released before nominations are announced.
According to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), films may qualify based on projected earnings or predicted streaming viewership.
The official rules explain:
“The Cinematic and Box Office Achievement includes nominees from the year’s most acclaimed, highest-earning and/or most viewed films that have garnered extensive global audience support and attained cinematic excellence.”
To be eligible, a film must:
- Earn USD 150 million worldwide
- Of which USD 100 million must come from the domestic U.S. box office
OR - Demonstrate equivalent digital streaming viewership validated by industry-recognized sources
While Avatar: Fire and Ash has yet to release, the franchise’s established performance and massive early projections allow it to qualify under these predictive metrics.
The film, backed by record-breaking pre-release buzz and strong early critical reactions, checks the boxes for “anticipated global audience support” and “cinematic excellence.” Thus, its nomination is fully aligned with Golden Globe rules.
Early Buzz and Expectations
Insider reactions and early critic screenings have already hinted at another visual powerhouse from James Cameron, suggesting that the film may surpass even the previous installments in emotional depth and scale. Given the Avatar franchise’s track record at the box office, industry experts are confident that Fire and Ash will become one of the highest-grossing films of its release year.
Jay-Ho Now
While unusual, Avatar: Fire and Ash’s early Golden Globe recognition reflects the franchise’s unparalleled legacy, the industry’s confidence in James Cameron, and the evolving awards criteria that acknowledge anticipated cultural impact. With its release just around the corner, all eyes are now on December 19, 2025 — when audiences will finally see whether the film lives up to the hype.
