Can you name a single character from ‘Avatar’? What is a ‘forgotbuster’ and is ‘Avatar’ one of them?

WHEN it comes to describing a certain type of film, the word blockbuster dates back nearly 80 years. It was first used in the 1940s in film trade magazines such as Variety and Motion Picture Herald. In the 1970s, with the release of Jaws (1975) and Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), the concept of the blockbuster became commonplace.

Conversely, the term “forgotbuster” was first coined by US film critic Nathan Rabin in 2013 to describe those movies that were among the top 25 grossing films the year of their release, but have receded culturally.

Rabin’s first example was Monster-in Law (2005), a now largely forgotten comedy vehicle for Jane fonda and Jennifer Lopez. The subjective list would also include the likes of Hannibal (2001), Disclosure (1994) and What Women Want (2000). By far his most controversial choice was Avatar.

There are three other reasons Avatar might be regarded as a forgotbuster.

firstly, the movie encouraged film studios to subsequently hike ticket prices based on a “3D premium.” Paying $15 for a regular ticket suddenly became $20 for Avatar and the dozens of movies that followed in the period from late 2009 to mid-2012.

films were often retrofitted for 3D as studios sought to capitalize on Avatar’s success. This resulted in many sub-standard films being released that offered this supposed 3D experience– and cast Avatar as the film responsible for this surge in bad 3D.

Secondly, beyond its technological advances and impressive visual feats, what else do we remember from Avatar? What was the name of the lead character? or the planet he landed on? or the tribe he spent time with?

Avatar’s frozen-in-time memorability stems in large part from its status as an “event.” People went to the cinema multiple times, with family, then friends, then again alone, each time slipping on the 3D glasses and watching in awe at the immersive visual spectacle.

Unlike Cameron’s other classic films, full of indelible figures like Ripley in Aliens (1986) or Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator (1984), Avatar lacks memorable characters or iconic lines.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Avatar is not like other contemporary blockbusters. It is not a sequel, or part of a connected cinematic universe (yet), or based on an existing property. It is not full of star names. It trades heavily on ecological, pro-environmental, and anti-military themes.

Given that Avatar’s cultural footprint was temporary, what then will happen to Avatar 2? Will it endure?

Despite the mixed reviews, the early indications are Cameron’s sequel will be a roaring commercial success, and will presumably gross in excess of $2 billion at the global box office. Avatar 3 is due in December 2024, and two more sequels have been greenlit.

Perhaps this extended Avatar universe will ultimately help both the sequels and the original re-enter popular culture and remind us of Cameron’s impressive skill at blending action, special effects, and the narrative beats that define the contemporary blockbuster.