“The Legend of Aang: ATLA” Animated Movie Becomes Paramount+ Exclusive

In somewhat disappointing news, Paramount+ has announced that the highly anticipated The Legend of Aang: Avatar The Last Airbender animated movie will be skipping a theatrical run to become exclusive to the streaming service.

I have to say that I’m not happy about this particular development. Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender have been looking forward to enjoying The Legend of Aang: ATLA (working title) movie on the big screen since said project was announced.

I get that some people think that non-3D/CG animated fare doesn’t always fare well at the box office. Furthermore, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants CG animated flick from Nickelodeon, was released on December 19, 2025, and it failed to make a splash at the box office.

But as far as I’m concerned, The Legend of Aang deserved a theatrical release. I do feel the fandom spread across generations could have shown up to support it. Alas, TPTB had other ideas.

While a specific premiere date hasn’t been shared as of writing this post, The Legend of Aang will drop sometime in the Fall of 2026 exclusively on the Paramount+ streaming service. The cast includes Dave Bautista as an undisclosed villain, Eric Nam as Aang, Jessica Matten as Katara, Dionne Quan as Toph, Román Zaragoza as Sokka, and Steven Yeun as Zuko. Joining the previously announced cast, the latest additions include Taika Waititi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Dee Bradley Baker, Freida Pinto, and Ke Huy Quan.

Again, why the heck is The Legend of Aang not playing on the big screen?

Ugh!

Following the events of the OG animated series (2005–2008) by Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko, the movie has been directed by Lauren Montgomery, with Steve Ahn and William Mata serving as co-directors. DiMartino and Konietzko serve as producers along with Latifa Ouaou and Maryann Garger. The score is by returning series composer Jeremy Zuckerman.

As for the story, it features adult versions of the OG cast. Aang will learn of “an ancient power that could save his culture from extinction.” Aang and his crew will set out on a global adventure to find said power before it falls into the wrong hands, poised to threaten the peace they had achieved.

Along with the animated movie, Paramount+ will also serve as the hub for the upcoming 2D series Avatar: Seven Havens from Avatar Studios, planned for a 2027 debut.

With a first look shared during SDCC 2025, Avatar: Seven Havens will be “set in a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm.” The story will star a young Earthbender who discovers she’s the new Avatar after Korra. However, in the dangerous era depicted in the series, being the Avatar marks her as “humanity’s destroyer, not its savior.”

Our lead character will be joined with her long-lost twin as the duo uncovers “their mysterious origins and save the Seven Havens before civilization’s last strongholds collapse.”

Two books have been confirmed in the upcoming animated series, with each book consisting of 13 episodes. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko serve as co-creators and executive producers.

As a fan, I’m excited about The Legend of Aang getting closer to release. However, as a fan, I’m also disappointed about it not being given a chance to prove itself in theaters.

What do you think?

Let us know.

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(via Press Release)

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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