Avatar Aang Returns: Critics Cheer the New Animated Film

After nearly two decades of ups and downs for the beloved world of bending, the latest incarnation—Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender—has finally hit the screens, and the response is surprisingly warm. The film slipped onto Paramount+ on July 25, 2026, after a brief, awards‑qualifying run in Los Angeles and New York, and it already boasts an 89% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.

That number may look impressive at a glance, but it’s worth putting it in context. The original cartoon series still holds a perfect 100% on the site, while its sequel, The Legend of Korra, sits at 88%. By comparison, the 2010 live‑action movie barely scraped a 5%, and the recent Netflix live‑action series landed somewhere in the mid‑60s. In short, the new animated feature isn’t just beating the worst‑rated attempts; it’s edging close to the beloved TV shows.

Behind the visuals is a team that blends fresh talent with franchise veterans. Lauren Montgomery directs, supported by co‑directors Steven Ahn and William Mata. The screenplay was shaped by Tim Hedrick, Christopher L. Yost and Kenneth Lin, who together aimed to capture the spirit of the original while giving Aang a modern edge. On the mic, Korean‑American pop star Eric Nam steps into Aang’s shoes—yes, he also voices a quirky side character named Tagah. He’s joined by a solid supporting cast that includes Steven Yeun, Dave Bautista, Dionne Quan, Roman Zaragoza and Jessica Matten.

Even more reassuring for purists is the involvement of the series’ original creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who are listed as executive producers. Their presence suggests that the project isn’t just a cash‑grab, but a genuine attempt to honor the lore they built.

Critics, however, are not handing the film a flawless victory. Molly Freeman of ScreenRant, for instance, notes that while the movie captures the “wonder, scale and sense of fun” that made the original a classic, it also leans on familiar tropes that feel a bit “middling.” She adds that the film’s pacing can feel uneven at times, especially when it rushes through some of Aang’s deeper emotional beats.

Still, for a franchise that has seen its share of misfires, an 89% rating feels like a sizable step forward. Fans who were disappointed by the 2010 live‑action flop are now chewing on something that feels more authentic, and the limited theatrical window gave the project a touch of prestige that streaming‑only releases often miss.

Whether the new Avatar Aang can sustain this momentum beyond its opening weekend remains to be seen, but for now it’s a breath of fresh (and icy) air for the bending‑bent community.