Hollywood star Zoe Saldaña has made a surprising admission about her family's film tastes, revealing that her three children have yet to watch any of her record-breaking Avatar movies.
A Patient Approach to Pandora
Speaking to E! News on Monday 4th December 2025 at the Los Angeles premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the actor explained her thoughtful approach. Saldaña, who shares 11-year-old twins Cy and Bowie, and eight-year-old Zen with her husband Marco Perego-Saldaña, said she wants her sons to experience the epic sci-fi franchise when they are fully prepared.
"I want them to be able to experience Avatar when they are absolutely ready," she told the publication. She described her boys as "gentle" and "beautiful flowers," while noting their resilience. "They pace themselves, and I respect them for that," Saldaña added.
An Unexpected Cinematic Preference
While the blue world of Pandora remains unexplored by her children, they have developed a clear favourite genre. "They're into Adam Sandler movies, which are sometimes not that appropriate for 11-year-olds," Saldaña confessed with apparent amusement. This revelation highlights the sometimes unpredictable viewing habits of celebrity offspring.
The boys have seen some of their mother's other work, including one of the Guardians of the Galaxy films, and have "just started seeing Transformers." According to Saldaña, her older sons have given her a timeline for their Avatar initiation, promising, "'Like, in a year, mama, we're going to be ready for Avatar, we promise.'"
Context of a Blockbuster Franchise
This family viewing delay comes as Saldaña promotes the latest instalment in one of cinema's most successful series. The original 2009 Avatar film remains the highest-grossing movie in history with $2.9 billion worldwide. Its 2022 sequel, The Way of Water, earned a staggering $2.3 billion. Fire and Ash, which sees Saldaña reprise her role alongside Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver, is anticipated to be another major box office hit.
Saldaña has often spoken about motherhood's positive impact. In a 2022 interview with People, she credited her children with keeping her "out of trouble" and contributing to her youthful appearance. She noted significant lifestyle changes, saying, "I go to bed early. I eat better. I sleep longer sometimes." The actor reflected that having children in her late thirties "saved me a lot," providing stability during a period of personal transition.
The premiere event in Los Angeles showcased the ongoing cultural phenomenon of the Avatar series, even as its star's closest critics—her own children—await their own personalised screening.
