James Cameron breaks record as Avatar: The Way Of Water smashes $2billion at box office

Avatar: The Way Of Water has turned James Cameron into a record-breaking director as the fantasy flick has passed $2billion at the box office.

The fantasy series – which follows on from the 2009 original – has become the sixth highest-grossing film of all time, with superfans desperate to catch-up with the Na'vi as they fight to save their planet from humans.

Read more: Avatar 2 cast: Meet the Way of Water stars as sci-fi sequel finally arrives

This makes Cameron the only director ever to land three films above that $2billion bracket – with the original Avatar and 1997's Titanic also surpassing that mark.

The milestone is even more impressive when you take into account only six films have ever passed it.

Completing the list is Avengers: Infinity War ($2.052billion), Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($2.071billion), and Avengers: Endgame ($2.798billion) – all owned by production giant, Disney.

Currently, Avatar: The Way Of Water sits at $2.024billion in international earnings, having been released in December 2022.

Read more: Avatar: Will audiences experience 'Pandora withdrawal' again?

It's believed the film cost between $350million-$460million to make.

While Avatar: The Way Of Water has undoubtedly been a box office success, the movie has proven divisive among viewers and critics who seem to either love or hate it.

While the extravagant special effects have been widely praised, the sequel seemed to have a similar issue when it came to story as its predecessor did, especially given its three-hour runtime.

As a result, reviews ranged from five stars to just one star.

Read more: James Cameron admits his kids are 'not big fans' of the first Avatar film (exclusive)

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin gave the film one out of five stars, saying watching the film "feels like being waterboarded with turquoise cement".

In contrast Nick De Semlyen of Empire magazine awarded Avatar five stars, celebrating it as a film that "reminds viewers of what cinema is capable of" and calling director Cameron "master and commander of making your jaw drop."

Cameron has at least three more films in the franchise planned, with actor Sigourney Weaver confirming she's already read the scripts.

Avatar: The Way Of Water is in UK cinemas now.

WATCH: Avatar: The Way Of Water's costume design secrets and techniques unpacked | Costume is Character