Finally: Team Avatar’s Huge 2026 — Animated Aang Movie, MTG Crossover and More
Several Avatar: The Last Airbender projects are scheduled to arrive in 2026, including an animated Aang movie and a Magic: The Gathering crossover set. Below you’ll find what’s confirmed, plus context about past adaptations and the current status of the franchise.
- What this article covers: the 2010 film’s box office and controversy; Netflix’s live-action series and its renewal; Avatar Studios’ upcoming projects including the Aang movie (October 2026) and a new series; and the Magic: The Gathering Avatar set revealed in August.
Background: the 2010 film and the franchise since
In 2010, a live-action film based on Avatar: The Last Airbender was released under the title The Last Airbender. Paramount removed “Avatar” from the title to avoid confusion with James Cameron’s 2009 film. The movie had a reported production budget of about $150 million and grossed over $300 million worldwide.
The film’s release generated strong criticism for several reasons, including casting choices and creative changes from the original animated series. In contemporary reviews, Roger Ebert wrote, “The Last Airbender is an agonizing experience in every category I can think of and others still waiting to be invented.” https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-last-airbender-2010
Netflix live-action series
Netflix produced a live-action adaptation that follows the original cartoon’s plot more closely and cast many of the major roles with Asian actors. Netflix also renewed the show for two additional seasons to complete the story. However, reporting notes a change in showrunner during production. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/avatar-the-last-airbender-netflix-changes-showrunners-1235866187/
Discussions on social platforms have criticized aspects of the Netflix production’s visual style and tone; for example, a Reddit thread commented on framing choices for short-form video platforms.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheLastAirbender/comments/1b1sop5/thoughts_on_natla_being_shot_for_tiktok/
Avatar Studios: animated projects and schedules
Avatar Studios was formed in 2021 as a division of Nickelodeon, led by original creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The studio is developing multiple projects related to the franchise.
Notably, an animated feature focused on Aang is scheduled for theatrical release in October 2026. A first-look image released by Avatar Studios continues the original show’s art style and depicts the main characters as adults.
In addition, Avatar Studios is working on a new series titled Avatar: Seven Havens, which is described as a post-apocalyptic story centered on a new Avatar and her twin sister.
Magic: The Gathering crossover
Wizards of the Coast announced a Magic: The Gathering set themed around Avatar: The Last Airbender and showed several cards on August 12. The publisher highlighted mechanics that map to the show’s bending concepts; for example, an earthbending concept in the set allows players to transform lands into creatures so they can attack.
Wizards released multiple card reveals leading up to the set’s launch, and the crossover follows other recent multimedia collaborations by the publisher.
Where things stand going into 2026
Concretely, the animated Aang movie has a target release date of October 2026, Netflix is expected to deliver two more seasons of its live-action show, and Wizards of the Coast has already begun revealing cards for the Avatar MTG set. Meanwhile, Avatar Studios continues development on the new series Avatar: Seven Havens.
