It’s a little early to spend time worrying about release dates in 2008, but in the race to be the first big-earning fully 3D movie there’s no room for error. So, the potential showdown between Hollywood’s biggest of the new 3D breed has been averted. Variety reports that DreamWorks has moved Monsters vs. Aliens off the release date which would have sent it colliding into James Cameron’s hotly anticipated new movie Avatar.

Both movies are 3-D pics using the potentially industry changing 3-D technology we’ve been hearing so much about lately. Monsters vs. Aliens is a big-budget animated film which updates a classic 50s picture. It’s directed by Robert Conrad and Rob Letterman of Shrek 2 and Shark Tale respectively. Avatar is James Cameron’s new sci-fi pic, a live-action 3D movie of ambitious proportions.

With the shift, Monsters vs. Aliens will now be released on May 15th. Avatar will remain on course for May 22nd, giving Monsters vs. Aliens a week to make it’s budget back before Cameron’s movie inevitably crushes it.