{"id":656705,"date":"2026-06-25T01:50:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T01:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/656705\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T01:50:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T01:50:16","slug":"as-avatar-fire-ash-hits-disney-we-look-at-3-of-the-weirdest-alien-creatures-in-the-avatar-movies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/656705\/","title":{"rendered":"As ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash’ hits Disney+, we look at 3 of the weirdest alien creatures in the ‘Avatar’ movies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Avatar: Fire and Ash<\/a> was a box office smash hit<\/a> when it dropped in December 2025, and it’s easy to see why. Compelling characters, breathtaking action, beautiful environments, and an array of wondrous alien creatures.<\/p>\n

We’ve explored the strange creatures of the Avatar universe<\/a> before, but now that the third movie has finally hit Disney+, we’re taking another look at three more awe-inspiring alien creatures from these movies, including some new stunners introduced in Fire & Ash.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re more of an RDA fan (or at least admire the humans\u2019 technology), we also took a good look at Avatar\u2019s most iconic spaceships and vehicles<\/a>. James Cameron rarely misses when it comes to gorgeous sci-fi designs \u2014 man-made or natural \u2014 and eagle-eyed veterans might even spot an explicit reference (which we won\u2019t spoil here) to Aliens<\/a> in Fire and Ash.<\/p>\n

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It might be a while before we get more updates on Avatar 4 and 5\u2019s status, so if you’re itching to explore Pandora more after watching Fire and Ash on Disney+, then you should also check out the video game, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora<\/a>. Ubisoft\u2019s open-world game is a memorable \u2013 and surprisingly brutal at times \u2013 experience, but it also lets fans explore the world, see the creatures, and dive deeper into the lore.<\/p>\n

Now, let’s mask up and prepare to drop into the wilderness of Pandora as we look at three of the Avatar series\u2019 coolest (and weirdest) alien creatures.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

Akula<\/p>\n

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\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)<\/p>\n

First seen in Avatar: The Way of Water<\/a>, the akula is a carnivorous fish that essentially acts as the great white shark of Pandora\u2019s oceans, though it\u2019ll remind paleofanatics of Earth\u2019s armored Dunkleosteus<\/a>. Its most shocking feature \u2014 and one perfectly showcased when it tries to eat Lo\u2019ak in the second movie \u2014 is a three-part jaw that opens up in a big triangular shape.<\/p>\n

Like most creatures in the Pandoran seas, the akula is important to the Metkayina\u2019s culture. Those Na\u2019vi choose to model their traditional knives after the teeth of the fearsome creature, and some members of the tribe even wear the akula\u2019s actual teeth with necklaces. It\u2019s terrifying to them, too, and thus deserves respect.<\/p>\n

\"Space\"<\/p>\n

The lead creature designer on the Avatar sequels, Zachary Berger, revealed the process behind the akula\u2019s creation<\/a>, stating the basis for the final design was born from a sketch W\u0113t\u0101 Workshop had done a long time ago. Unsurprisingly, it seems the mouth \u201creveal\u201d was the final touch the otherwise familiar design needed to fully come together.<\/p>\n

Nightwraith (ska\u2019avum)<\/p>\n

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\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)<\/p>\n

Another scary aerial predator introduced in the sequels is the nightwraith, which the Na\u2019vi call ska\u2019avum.<\/p>\n

First seen in Fire and Ash as the ride of choice of villain Varang, it\u2019s a four-winged monster with folding vanes that give it a distinct shape against the sky. It\u2019s also slightly larger in size than the more common ikran, as seen during Varang and Neytiri\u2019s ferocious clashes. Moreover, its \u201cbony crests\u201d give it an additional edge when it comes to attack and defense.<\/p>\n

What to read next<\/p>\n

As far as we know, Varang is the only Na\u2019vi to ride a nightwraith. This is a good fit considering the character\u2019s fiery nature, but it wasn\u2019t always the plan, as her aerial partner wasn\u2019t defined in the script<\/a> and was developed into an all-new creature after shooting had wrapped. Word is that Varang was originally meant to ride an armored ikran<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n

Southern squidray (tsyong)<\/p>\n

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\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)<\/p>\n

Fire and Ash also added Pandora\u2019s own giant squids to the already crowded bestiary, and those things are gnarly… even outside the water. When Eywa goes to war (again) during that third act, things get scary very fast if you\u2019re on the human invaders\u2019 side. Enter the four-eyed southern squidray, called tsyong by the Na\u2019vi.<\/p>\n

With razor-toothed tentacles and an oversized beak that opens up horizontally and can bite through most natural materials, these deep-sea hunters can feed on almost any other animal in the sea due to their impressive speed and strength in numbers.<\/p>\n

Even the agile ilu have a hard time escaping them, so you can quickly understand why the Na\u2019vi treat them as \u201cdark spirits\u201d sent by Eywa to judge. By the end of the third Avatar movie, the RDA is the one being judged (harshly) by the nightmare-inducing cephalopods.<\/p>\n

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