List of accolades received by Avatar: The Way of Water

Avatar: The Way of Water is a 2022 American epic science fiction film directed by James Cameron from a screenplay he co-wrote with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, with a story the trio wrote with Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno.[1][2][3] Produced by Lightstorm Entertainment and TSG Entertainment,[4] and distributed by 20th Century Studios, it is the sequel to Avatar (2009) and the second installment in the Avatar film series.[3] The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet. It follows a blue-skinned humanoid Na'vi named Jake Sully (Worthington) as he and his family, under renewed human threat, seek refuge with the aquatic Metkayina clan of Pandora, a habitable exomoon on which they live.[1][2][4]

Avatar: The Way of Water accolades
A picture of James Cameron smiling towards the camera
James Cameron received multiple awards and nominations for his direction in the film.
Totals[a]
Wins49
Nominations132
Note

Avatar: The Way of Water premiered in London on December 6, 2022,[5] and was released in the United States on December 16.[6] Produced on a budget of $350–460 million,[7][8] The Way of Water grossed $2.320 billion,[9] finishing its theatrical run as the highest-grossing film of 2022 and the third-highest-grossing film of all time.[10][11] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 76% based on 449 reviews.[12]

Avatar: The Way of Water garnered many awards and nominations in various categories with particular recognition for Cameron's direction as well as its musical score, visual effects, cinematography, production design, and sound effects. It received four nominations at the 95th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film won Best Visual Effects. At the 76th British Academy Film Awards, it was nominated for Best Sound, and won Best Special Visual Effects. The Way of Water received six nominations at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards and won Best Visual Effects.

Avatar: The Way of Water garnered two nominations at the 80th Golden Globe Awards. The film won two awards at the 50th Annie Awards. At the 21st Visual Effects Society Awards, it was nominated for fourteen awards, a record that surpassed the number of previous ones for film (Avatar) and television (The Mandalorian).[13] The film won nine, including Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature. In addition, both the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review selected The Way of Water as one of the top ten films of 2022.

Accolades

Accolades received by Avatar: The Way of Water
AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
AACTA International AwardsFebruary 24, 2023Best FilmAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[14]
[15]
Best DirectionJames CameronNominated
AARP Movies for Grownups AwardsJanuary 28, 2023Best DirectorJames CameronNominated[16]
[17]
Academy AwardsMarch 12, 2023Best PictureJames Cameron and Jon LandauNominated[18]
Best SoundJulian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers and Michael HedgesNominated
Best Production DesignProduction Design: Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa ColeNominated
Best Visual EffectsJoe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel BarrettWon
American Film Institute AwardsDecember 9, 2022Top 10 Films of the YearAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[a][19]
Annie AwardsFebruary 25, 2023Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated ProductionJonathan M. Nixon, David Moraton, Nicholas Illingworth, David Caeiro Cebrian, and Alex NowotnyWon[20]
Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Live Action ProductionDaniel Barrett, Stuart Adcock, Todd Labonte, Douglas McHale, and Stephen CullingfordWon
Art Directors Guild AwardsFebruary 18, 2023Excellence in Production Design for a Fantasy FilmDylan Cole and Ben ProcterNominated[21]
Artios AwardsMarch 9, 2023The Zeitgeist AwardMargery Simkin, Katrina Wandel George, Jasmine Gutierrez, and Sydney ShircliffNominated[22]
ASCAP AwardsMay 15, 2023Film Score of the YearSimon FranglenWon[23]
Austin Film Critics Association AwardsJanuary 10, 2023Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterNominated[24]
[25]
Best Voice Acting/Animated/Digital PerformanceStephen LangNominated
Zoe SaldañaNominated
Sigourney WeaverNominated
Black Reel AwardsFebruary 6, 2023Outstanding Voice PerformanceZoe SaldañaWon[26]
[27]
British Academy Film AwardsFebruary 19, 2023Best SoundChristopher Boyes, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary Summers, Michael Hedges, and Julian HowarthNominated[28]
Best Special Visual EffectsJoe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel BarrettWon
Chicago Film Critics Association AwardsDecember 14, 2022Best Art Direction/Production DesignAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[29]
[30]
Best Use of Visual EffectsAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated
Chinese American Film FestivalNovember 11, 2023Most Popular U.S. Film in ChinaAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[31]
Cinema Audio Society AwardsMarch 4, 2023Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Motion Picture – Live ActionJulian Howarth, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Michael Hedges, Simon Rhodes, Bill Higley, and Tavish GradeNominated[32]
Costume Designers Guild AwardsFebruary 27, 2023Excellence in Fantasy FilmDeborah L. ScottNominated[33]
Critics' Choice Movie AwardsJanuary 15, 2023Best PictureAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[34]
Best DirectorJames CameronNominated
Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterNominated
Best EditingStephen Rivkin, David Brenner, John Refoua, and James CameronNominated
Best Production DesignDylan Cole, Ben Procter, and Vanessa ColeNominated
Best Visual EffectsAvatar: The Way of WaterWon
Critics' Choice Super AwardsMarch 16, 2023Best Science Fiction/Fantasy MovieAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[35]
Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy MovieZoe SaldañaNominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association AwardsDecember 19, 2022Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterWon[36]
Dorian AwardsFebruary 23, 2023Visually Striking Film of the YearAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[37]
Florida Film Critics Circle AwardsDecember 22, 2022Best Visual EffectsAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[38]
Georgia Film Critics Association AwardsJanuary 13, 2023Best Production DesignDylan Cole, Ben Procter, and Vanessa ColeNominated[39]
[40]
Golden Globe AwardsJanuary 10, 2023Best Motion Picture – DramaAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[41]
Best DirectorJames CameronNominated
Golden Reel AwardsFebruary 26, 2023Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Sound Effects and Foley for Feature FilmChristopher Boyes, David Chrastka, Dave Whitehead, Hayden Collow, Matt Stutter, Brent Burge, Craig Tomlinson, Dee Selby, Dan O'Connell, and John CucciNominated[42]
[43]
Golden Trailer AwardsOctober 6, 2022Best Fantasy Adventure"The Beginning" (JAX)Nominated[44]
[45]
Best Original Score"The Beginning" (JAX)Nominated
June 29, 2023Best Music"Strong Heart" (JAX)Nominated[46]
[47]
Best Fantasy Adventure TV Spot (for a Feature Film)"Adapt" (Wild Card)Nominated
Best Digital – Fantasy Adventure"Great Strength" (Tiny Hero)Nominated
"Journey" (Tiny Hero)Won
Best Action/Thriller TrailerByte for a Feature Film"Journey Through Pandora" (Tiny Hero)Won
Best BTS/EPK for a Feature Film (Over 2 Minutes)"Acting in the Volume" (Mob Scene)Nominated
Guild of Music Supervisors AwardsMarch 5, 2023Best Music Supervision in a Trailer – FilmAnny ColvinNominated[48]
Hollywood Critics Association AwardsFebruary 24, 2023Best PictureAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[49]
[50]
Best DirectorJames CameronNominated
Best Voice or Motion-Capture PerformanceZoe SaldañaNominated
Hollywood Critics Association Creative Arts AwardsFebruary 24, 2023Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterNominated[49]
[50]
Best Production DesignDylan Cole, Ben Procter, and Vanessa ColeNominated
Best SoundChristopher Boyes, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Gary Summers, Michael Hedges, and Julian HowarthNominated
Best Visual EffectsJoe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel BarrettWon
Hollywood Critics Association Midseason AwardsJuly 1, 2022Most Anticipated FilmAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[51]
[52]
Hollywood Music in Media AwardsNovember 16, 2022Best Original Score in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy FilmSimon FranglenWon[53]
Best Original Song in a Feature FilmSimon Franglen and Zoe Saldaña for "Song Chord"Nominated
Song/Score — TrailerSimon Franglen for "Trailer"Nominated
Hollywood Professional Association AwardsNovember 28, 2023Outstanding Visual Effects – Feature FilmChris Edgen, Nick Epstein, Wayne Stables, Pavani Rao Boddapati, and Sergei Nevshupov (Weta FX)Won[54]
David Vickery, Lee Briggs, Jan Maroske, Steve Ellis, and Miguel Perez-Senent (Industrial Light & Magic)Nominated
Houston Film Critics Society AwardsFebruary 18, 2023Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterNominated[55]
[56]
Best Visual EffectsAvatar: The Way of WaterWon
Hugo AwardsOctober 18–22, 2023Best Dramatic Presentation, Long FormJames Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda SilverNominated[57]
ICG Publicists AwardsMarch 10, 2023Maxwell Weinberg Publicists Showmanship Motion Picture AwardAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[58]
[59]
Imagen AwardsDecember 3, 2023Best Actress – Feature FilmZoe SaldañaWon[60]
International Film Music Critics Association AwardsFebruary 23, 2023Film Score of the YearSimon FranglenNominated[61]
[62]
Film Music Composition of the YearSimon Franglen for "Leaving Home (Hometree)"Won
Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror FilmSimon FranglenWon
Ivor Novello AwardsMay 18, 2023Best Original Film ScoreSimon FranglenNominated[63]
[64]
Japan Academy Film PrizeMarch 10, 2023Outstanding Foreign Language FilmAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[65]
[66]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association AwardsDecember 11, 2022Best Production DesignDylan Cole and Ben ProctorWon[67]
Lumiere AwardsFebruary 10, 2023Best Feature Film – Live ActionAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[68]
Voices For The Earth AwardAvatar: The Way of WaterWon
MTV Movie & TV AwardsMay 7, 2023Best MovieAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[69]
National Board of Review AwardsDecember 8, 2022Top Ten FilmsAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[a][70]
New York Film Critics Online AwardsDecember 11, 2022Top Films of the YearAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[a][71]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice AwardsMarch 4, 2023Favorite MovieAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[72]
Online Film Critics Society AwardsJanuary 23, 2023Best Production DesignAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[73]
[74]
Best Visual EffectsAvatar: The Way of WaterWon
3D Effects DesignAvatar: The Way of WaterWon
Producers Guild of America AwardsFebruary 25, 2023Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion PicturesJon Landau and James CameronNominated[75]
[76]
The ReFrame StampMarch 1, 20232022 Top 100-Grossing Narrative Feature RecipientsAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[a][77]
San Diego Film Critics Society AwardsJanuary 6, 2023Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterNominated[78]
[79]
Best EditingDavid Brenner, James Cameron, John Refoua, Stephen Rivkin, and Ian SilversteinNominated
Best Sound DesignAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated
Best Visual EffectsAvatar: The Way of WaterWon
Satellite AwardsMarch 3, 2023Best Motion Picture – DramaAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[80]
[81]
Best DirectorJames CameronWon
Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterNominated
Best Production DesignDylan Cole and Ben ProcterNominated
Best SoundDick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Michael Hedges, Julian Howarth, Gary Summers, and Gwendolyn Yates WhittleNominated
Best Visual EffectsRichie Baneham, Dan Barrett, Joe Letteri, and Eric SaindonWon
Screen Actors Guild AwardsFebruary 26, 2023Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion PictureAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[82]
Saturn AwardsFebruary 4, 2024Best Science Fiction FilmAvatar: The Way of WaterWon[83]
[84]
Best ActorSam WorthingtonNominated
Best ActressZoe SaldañaNominated
Best Supporting ActorStephen LangNominated
Best Performance by a Younger ActorJack ChampionNominated
Best DirectorJames CameronWon
Best WritingJames Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda SilverWon
Best Production DesignDylan Cole and Ben ProctorNominated
Best EditingStephen Rivkin, David Brenner, John Refoua, and James CameronNominated
Best MusicSimon FranglenNominated
Best Costume DesignBob Buck and Deborah ScottNominated
Best Special EffectsJoe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel BarrettWon
Seattle Film Critics Society AwardsJanuary 17, 2023Best Action ChoreographyAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[85]
[86]
Best CinematographyRussell CarpenterNominated
Best Visual EffectsJoe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel BarrettWon
Set Decorators Society of America AwardsFebruary 14, 2023Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Science Fiction or Fantasy Feature FilmDylan Cole, Ben Procter, and Vanessa ColeNominated[87]
[88]
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association AwardsDecember 18, 2022Best Action FilmAvatar: The Way of WaterNominated[89]
[90]
Best Visual EffectsJoe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel BarrettWon
Best Production DesignDylan Cole and Ben ProcterNominated
Visual Effects Society AwardsFebruary 15, 2023Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal FeatureRichard Baneham, Walter Garcia, Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, and J. D. SchwalmWon[91]
Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal FeatureAnneka Fris, Rebecca Louise Leybourne, Guillaume Francois, and Jung-Rock Hwang for "Kiri"Won
Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal FeatureRyan Arcus, Lisa Hardisty, Paul Harris, and TaeHyoung David Kim for "Metkayina Village"Nominated
Jessica Cowley, Joe W. Churchill, Justin Stockton, and Alex Nowotny for "The Reef"Won
Outstanding Effects Simulations in a Photoreal FeatureMiguel Perez Senent, Xaxier Martin Ramirez, David Kirchner, and Ole Geir Eidsheim for "Fire and Destruction"Nominated
Jonathan M. Nixon, David Moraton, Nicolas Illingworth, and David Caeiro Cebrian for "Water Simulations"Won
Outstanding Compositing and Lighting in a FeatureMiguel Santana Da Silva, Hongfei Geng, Jonathan Moulin, and Maria Corcho for "Landing Rockets Forest Destruction"Nominated
Sam Cole, Francois Sugny, Florian Schroeder, and Jean Matthews for "Water Integration"Won
Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a CG ProjectRichard Baneham, Dan Cox, Eric Reynolds, and A.J BrionesWon
Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated ProjectSam Sharplin, Stephen Skorepa, Ian Baker, and Guillaume Francois for "The Sea Dragon"Won
Outstanding Special (Practical) Effects in a Photoreal or Animated ProjectJ. D. Schwalm, Richie Schwalm, Nick Rand, and Robert Spurlock for "Current Machine and Wave Pool"Won
Emerging Technology AwardDejan Momcilovic, Tobias B. Schmidt, Benny Edlund, and Joshua Hardgrave for "Depth Comp"Nominated
Byungkuk Choi, Stephen Cullingford, Stuart Adcock, and Marco Revelant for "Facial System"Nominated
Alexy Dmitrievich Stomakhin, Steve Lesser, Sven Joel Wretborn, and Douglas McHale for "Water Toolset"Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association AwardsDecember 12, 2022Best Motion Capture PerformanceSam WorthingtonNominated[92]
Sigourney WeaverNominated
Zoe SaldañaWon
World Soundtrack AwardsOctober 21, 2023Discovery of the YearSimon FranglenWon[93]

See also

Notes

References

External links