James Cameron, director of the upcoming “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” has challenged Netflix’s approach to the Oscars, claiming the streaming service’s digital-only release model undermines the art of cinema. This latest clash in the ongoing James Cameron Netflix Oscars controversy was brought into focus during his appearance on The Town with Matthew Belloni, where he criticized the Academy’s current standards and Netflix’s threat to traditional film releases.
Cameron Defends Theatrical Releases Amid Streaming Surge
Cameron, known for his outspoken support of the theatrical experience, expressed concern over the shifting landscape as major studios and streaming platforms vie for industry dominance. With “Avatar: Fire and Ash” set to premiere in US theaters on December 19th, Cameron did not hesitate to advocate for wide theatrical releases as an essential criterion for Oscar consideration. He shared these opinions during a heated discussion on Belloni’s podcast, referencing the evolving relationship between film studios like Warner Bros., streaming services, and the Academy.
During the conversation, Belloni asked Cameron for his perspective on David Ellison, Paramount CEO, potentially acquiring Warner Bros. Cameron replied,
“I think he’s the best possible choice. Absolutely.”
– James Cameron, Director. When pressed by Belloni to rank Ellison’s ability to lead over competitors like Netflix and Comcast, Cameron was direct:
“Oh, Netflix would be a disaster.”
– James Cameron, Director.
Direct Criticism Toward Netflix’s Approach to Film
The conversation deepened as Cameron reflected on Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos’s public remarks.
“Sorry, Ted [Sarandos, Netflix’s current CEO], but geez. Sarandos has gone on the record saying theatrical films are dead. ‘Theatrical is dead’. Quote, unquote. It’s a quote. At least to the extent you can verify anything.”
– James Cameron, Director. When Belloni cited Sarandos’s recent statements that Netflix would invest more in theaters if it acquired Warner Bros., Cameron dismissed such promises as misleading, remarking it was “sucker bait.” Instead, Cameron focused his argument on the minimum standards for Oscar eligibility.
Addressing Netflix’s typical practice of briefly screening films to qualify for awards, Cameron argued,
“‘We’ll put the movie out for a week, for 10 days. We’ll qualify for Oscar consideration.’ See, I think that’s fundamentally rotten to the core. A movie should be made as a movie for theatrical, and the Academy Awards mean nothing to me if they don’t mean theatrical. And I think they’ve been co-opted, and I think it’s horrific.”
– James Cameron, Director.
When Belloni asked,
“You don’t think Netflix should be allowed to compete for Oscars?”
, Cameron outlined his criteria clearly:
“They should be allowed to compete if they put the movie out for a meaningful release in 2,000 theaters for a month.”
– James Cameron, Director.
Debating the Academy’s Rule Changes for Best Picture
The discussion then shifted to recent changes to the Academy’s requirements for best picture consideration. Now, films must appear in at least ten markets outside of the major US cities for a minimum run of seven days. Cameron, unimpressed by this adjustment, responded,
“Give me a f–king break. We’re gonna be on 7500 screens.”
– James Cameron, Director.
Even after Belloni acknowledged that Cameron’s big-budget productions are on a different scale, the director insisted,
“Okay, take an indie that gets bought. Take an A24 film. They’re not going out with less than 1,000 screens.”
– James Cameron, Director.
Cameron Predicts Diminishing Opportunities for Blockbusters
As the conversation closed, Cameron speculated about Warner Bros.’ future if acquired by a streaming service like Netflix.
“Warner Bros. would just become a streamer.”
– James Cameron, Director. He voiced fears that a shift to streaming would further diminish the number of major theatrical films, recalling how large budgets once attracted premium talent to streaming platforms, only for those investments to be cut dramatically in recent years. Cameron suggested that big projects—such as “Dune,” “Wicked,” and even his own “Avatar” entries—might not be greenlit in a streaming-first industry, leaving these films squeezed out by both streaming services and major studios.
Cameron elaborated on the issue, highlighting the obstacles faced by science fiction and fantasy films:
“And the big science fiction, imaginative movies require visual effects. Visual effects are expensive. So if the curve of VFX costs continuously rises and the curve of affordability of those movies, let’s say the green-lighting curve is coming down, and theatrical [importance] is coming down. When those curves cross, those [blockbuster] movies don’t exist anymore. And the few people making them like me age out and then the people coming up behind them aren’t trained in it.”
– James Cameron, Director.
Looking Ahead: What Cameron’s Critique Signals for the Industry
James Cameron’s emotional and forceful comments reflect broader frustration among filmmakers who champion theatrical releases as essential to the identity of cinema. His statements highlight an ongoing debate about what qualifies a film for Oscars consideration and whether streaming-first strategies threaten the future of large-scale, ambitious filmmaking. With “Avatar: Fire and Ash” soon hitting theaters and the Academy’s rules under renewed scrutiny, the James Cameron Netflix Oscars controversy is likely to remain a focal point in discussions about the evolving relationship between traditional film culture and streaming giants.
