Why You Can’t Stream “Avatar: The Way of Water” on Disney+ (Yet)

The burning question on the lips of many a Disney+ subscriber is: “Where’s ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’?” The answer, while perhaps frustrating, boils down to a pre-existing agreement between 20th Century Fox (now owned by Disney) and Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max. This agreement, inked long before Disney acquired Fox, grants HBO Max exclusive streaming rights for the initial pay-one window. This means “Avatar 2” must debut on HBO Max before it can even consider gracing Disney+ screens. It’s a classic case of corporate chess, played out on the streaming chessboard.

The Devil is in the Pre-Acquisition Details

Before we delve deeper, it’s critical to understand the timeline. Disney finalized its acquisition of 21st Century Fox (including 20th Century Fox, the studio behind “Avatar”) in March 2019. However, the agreement giving HBO Max first dibs on the streaming rights for theatrical releases from 20th Century Fox was already in place before the acquisition. Think of it like buying a house with a tenant – you inherit the lease agreement. This pre-existing arrangement legally binds Disney to honor the deal, at least for its duration.

This arrangement might seem counterintuitive to Disney’s overall strategy of bolstering Disney+ with its vast content library. After all, “Avatar” is a monumental franchise, and its sequel, “The Way of Water,” shattered box office records. Placing it on Disney+ would be a guaranteed win, attracting new subscribers and boosting engagement. However, contractual obligations are a powerful force, even for the Mouse House.

Navigating the Murky Waters of Streaming Rights

The world of streaming rights is complex, often involving multiple layers of distribution windows. The “pay-one window” is a crucial term in this context. It refers to the period immediately following a film’s theatrical release and home entertainment availability (digital purchase, Blu-ray/DVD). During this window, the streaming service with pay-one rights has exclusive access to the film.

In the case of “Avatar: The Way of Water,” HBO Max holds that coveted pay-one window. This means it gets to be the first subscription streaming service to offer the film. Only after HBO Max’s exclusivity period expires can Disney even begin to negotiate bringing the film to Disney+.

The length of the pay-one window can vary depending on the specific terms of the agreement. It’s typically several months, but the exact duration is often kept confidential. The delay can be frustrating for Disney+ subscribers, especially when they see promotional materials highlighting Disney’s ownership of the “Avatar” franchise.

Looking Ahead: The Future of “Avatar” on Disney+

While “Avatar: The Way of Water” isn’t currently available on Disney+, hope is not lost. Eventually, the film will make its way to the platform. The question is not if, but when.

Once the HBO Max exclusivity period ends, Disney will have the freedom to add the film to its library. This could happen anywhere from several months to over a year after its HBO Max debut. Keep an eye on industry news and official announcements from Disney for updates.

Furthermore, the long-term implications of this situation are significant. As existing agreements expire, Disney will likely prioritize securing exclusive streaming rights for its future 20th Century Studios releases. This ensures that Disney+ remains a central hub for its most valuable intellectual property. While “Avatar: The Way of Water” is caught in the crossfire of a pre-existing deal, future sequels and other 20th Century Studios blockbusters are much more likely to land on Disney+ much sooner.

FAQs About “Avatar: The Way of Water” and Disney+

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the situation:

1. When will “Avatar: The Way of Water” be on Disney+?

Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer. The length of HBO Max’s exclusivity period is confidential. However, industry experts estimate it could be several months to over a year after its HBO Max release. Keep checking back for updates!

2. Why didn’t Disney just buy out the contract with HBO Max?

Buying out the contract is an option, but it would likely be incredibly expensive. Disney has to weigh the cost of the buyout against the potential benefits of having “Avatar: The Way of Water” on Disney+ sooner. It’s a complex financial decision.

3. Does this affect future “Avatar” movies?

Potentially, but not necessarily. It depends on the terms of the original agreement. Disney will likely negotiate to ensure future “Avatar” sequels are available on Disney+ sooner.

4. Can I watch “Avatar” (the first movie) on Disney+?

Yes! The original “Avatar” film is available on Disney+. This is because the streaming rights situation for the first film differs from that of the sequel.

5. Is “Avatar: The Way of Water” available to rent or buy digitally?

Yes, “Avatar: The Way of Water” is available to rent or purchase digitally through various platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and more.

6. Will “Avatar: The Way of Water” ever be removed from HBO Max once it’s on Disney+?

It’s possible. Streaming licenses often have expiration dates. Once the license agreement between Warner Bros. Discovery and 20th Century Studios (Disney) expires, the film could be removed from HBO Max. However, Disney could choose to renew the license.

7. Does this mean HBO Max will get all 20th Century Studios films first?

No. This pre-existing agreement likely only applies to films released during a specific timeframe. Future 20th Century Studios releases will likely prioritize Disney+ for streaming.

8. I have both Disney+ and HBO Max. Should I just subscribe to HBO Max to watch it?

That depends on your personal viewing habits and whether you’re interested in other content on HBO Max. If you’re solely interested in watching “Avatar: The Way of Water” as soon as possible, then subscribing to HBO Max might be the best option.

9. Are there any loopholes that would allow “Avatar: The Way of Water” to be on Disney+ sooner?

Unlikely. Contractual obligations are legally binding. Disney must honor the agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery.

10. Does this affect other Disney-owned properties, like Marvel or Star Wars?

No. This situation is specific to the pre-existing agreement between 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery. Marvel and Star Wars content are primarily exclusive to Disney+.

11. Why didn’t Disney anticipate this issue when acquiring 20th Century Fox?

Disney was likely aware of the agreement during the acquisition process. However, they still saw value in acquiring 20th Century Fox, even with the streaming rights limitations. The long-term benefits of owning the studio and its vast library of content outweighed the short-term inconvenience.

12. Will Disney change its acquisition strategy because of this?

Possibly. This situation highlights the complexities of acquiring companies with pre-existing contracts. Disney may be more cautious in the future and prioritize securing exclusive streaming rights as part of any acquisition agreement. The streaming landscape is constantly evolving, and Disney will need to adapt to stay ahead of the game.