Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026) reviews

The Fuzzy Mushroom take on Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender

By Fuzzy Mushroom · Updated 10 November 2026 · The Pros 77 · The Punters 86 · Spore Score 79 · How we write our takes

Why The Punters rate it higher than The Pros

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender has a fanbase that has waited almost two decades for this, and it shows. The Punters give it 86, The Pros 77, and the Spore Score is 79. Critics agree it looks wonderful, but many felt the story was rushed and that ageing up the characters lost some of the original show's charm. Fans, who know these people inside out, are happier just to see them again, and happy to fill in the gaps themselves.

What it is

This is the first film from Avatar Studios, the Nickelodeon division set up in 2021 to expand the world of the much-loved animated series that ran from 2005 to 2008. It is set thirteen years after the end of the Hundred Year War. Aang is now a young man, helping build Republic City as a home for every nation, but he is haunted by being the last of the Air Nomads. When a group of non-bending outlaws called the Denied steal a map linked to a forgotten airbender Avatar, Aang gathers Katara, Sokka, Toph and Zuko, and they discover Tagah, a surviving airbender frozen in ice. Lauren Montgomery directs, from a script by Tim Hedrick and Christopher Yost.

What it does well

The animation is the headline. Hand-drawn 2D characters move through detailed 3D environments, and the result is the most beautiful the Avatar world has ever looked, especially in the flying sequences and the airbending duels. The voice cast, with Eric Nam as Aang alongside the likes of Dave Bautista, Taika Waititi, Steven Yeun and Ke Huy Quan, was largely recast to better reflect the characters' backgrounds, and it works. The central idea, Aang's grief for his people and whether he has the right to bring them back, is a strong one for a franchise built on loss.

Where The Pros have a point

A lot happens very quickly. The film lurches from one action set piece to the next, and quieter character moments are squeezed out. Seeing the gang as adults is a thrill at first, but it also strips away the warmth and silliness that made the series special. Newcomers may feel lost, as the film assumes you know the show.

Who it is for

Anyone who grew up with the series or discovered it on streaming. Families with older children who already love Aang. Not the place to start if you have never seen the show: watch that first.

Context

The film had a troubled road to release. Planned for cinemas, it was delayed several times and finally moved to Paramount+, where it premiered worldwide on 25 July 2026 after a short qualifying run in two US cinemas. The whole film leaked online shortly before release, which prompted fans to campaign for a proper theatrical run. Animation was led by Flying Bark Productions.

The Fuzzy Mushroom verdict

Worth a watch, with a Spore Score of 79. A gorgeous, slightly rushed return to a beloved world. If you are a fan, The Punters are right and you will have a lovely time. If you are not, start with the series.