Lara Worthington recently found herself in the midst of a whirlwind of confusion alongside fans, as her husband Sam Worthington’s latest film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, received a surprising nomination for a Golden Globe in the category of Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. This nomination raised eyebrows, particularly because the film has yet to be released, leading to a flurry of reactions on social media.
In a post shared by the official Avatar and 20th Century Studios Instagram accounts, Lara expressed her bewilderment, echoing the sentiments of many fans. “Box office achievement?? The movie isn’t [even] out yet !!!” she commented, highlighting the puzzling nature of the nomination. Other fans chimed in with similar questions, wondering how a film that hasn’t premiered could be recognized for box office success. One fan quipped, “It’s not out yet…. What if it flops????” while another sarcastically asked, “Golden Globes are now seeing the future?”
The anticipation surrounding Avatar: Fire and Ash is palpable, with its release scheduled for December 19. However, the film’s nomination is rooted in the Golden Globes’ unique criteria for the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category. According to the official Golden Globes website, films released after November 22 can qualify based on projected box office performance and streaming views from recognized industry sources. This means that even before its debut, Avatar: Fire and Ash is being considered for its potential success.
Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice their disbelief. One user remarked, “In what dimension is this already out? My calendar says I’ve got to wait another two weeks to see it.” Another added, “I know the Golden Globes’ Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award is nonsense pandering… but how can they nominate ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ when it hasn’t made any money yet?”
The Avatar franchise has a history of remarkable box office performance, with the original film released in 2009 grossing over $2.9 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie of all time. Its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, released in 2022, also performed exceptionally well, earning over $2.3 billion globally. Given this track record, the nomination for the third installment seems to be a calculated risk by the Golden Globes, banking on the franchise’s established popularity.
The Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award itself is relatively new, having been introduced in late 2023. The inaugural winner was the blockbuster hit Barbie, followed by Wicked in 2025. Avatar: Fire and Ash will face stiff competition in this category, going up against notable titles such as F1, KPop Demon Hunters, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Sinners, Weapons, Wicked: For Good, and Zootopia 2.
As the release date approaches, the excitement and speculation surrounding Avatar: Fire and Ash continue to grow. With a dedicated fanbase and a legacy of box office success, the film is poised to make a significant impact upon its release, regardless of its current Golden Globe nomination. The film industry and audiences alike will be watching closely to see if it lives up to the high expectations set by its predecessors.
