Paramount Bets Big on The Last Airbender Movie: The Legend of Aang Hangs in the Balance

Paramount just pulled the plug on a big-screen run for The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender and is sending it straight to streaming. For a movie that felt built for theaters, that is... a choice.

What changed

The animated follow-up, directed by Lauren Montgomery, was greenlit under the previous leadership and originally set for theaters in October 2025. Then it slipped to 2026. After the Skydance takeover, the new regime has now killed the theatrical plan entirely in favor of a Paramount+ exclusive premiere, as first reported by THR. Fans are not thrilled, for obvious reasons.

Why this stings: interest in the Avatar world has surged again thanks to Netflix's live-action series, and this kind of event animation tends to print money in theaters. 2025 has been a strong year for anime at the box office — think the kind of numbers Demon Slayer has been putting up — so shelving the theatrical window here feels like leaving cash on the table.

So where is it landing, and when

The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender will debut exclusively on Paramount+ on October 9, 2026 in the U.S.

Paramount+ is also making itself the home base for the animated Avatar universe going forward. That includes a new sequel series set after The Legend of Korra called Avatar: Seven Havens, plus the library titles The Last Airbender and Korra.

'The Avatar Universe has captivated audiences for two decades, and Paramount+ is proud to be the exclusive streaming home for its beloved animated incarnation. The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender and Avatar: Seven Havens represent the next evolution of storytelling from Avatar Studios - bringing together remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera to deliver the epic adventures and emotional depth fans have come to expect. These additions, alongside The Legend of Korra and the original series, solidify Paramount+ as the destination for the animated Avatar Universe.'

- Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals, Paramount+

What the movie is actually about

This chapter finds Aang, the last Airbender, reuniting with his friends to hunt down an ancient power that could keep his culture from disappearing forever — assuming they can secure it before the wrong people do.

Who is in it

• Taika Waititi
• Geraldine Viswanathan
• Dee Bradley Baker
• Freida Pinto
• Ke Huy Quan
• Dave Bautista
• Eri Nam
• Jessica Matten
• Dionne Quan
• Roman Zaragoza
• Steven Yeun

My quick take

I get the strategy play: build Paramount+ into the Avatar hub and keep the crown jewels in-house. But for a franchise that lives and dies on scale and spectacle, skipping theaters feels like a self-inflicted loss. At least there is a firm date now. Whether you are excited or annoyed, you know exactly where and when to find it.