Back in February 2021, the Avatar brand was looking up as the creation of Avatar Studios was first announced, along with the reveal that a film centered around an adult version of Aang would be released in theaters.
But after a long period of production delays and an expanding budget, execs at Paramount made the decision in December 2025 to skip a theatrical release for Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender and have a premiere on Paramount+.
Adding to the controversy was the fact that the entire film leaked online earlier this year, prompting Paramount to move up the film's release from October 2027 to July.
Now, in a stunning move, and in part due to the reaction to a recent trailer, the project has come full circle, as Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender has been revealed to receive a limited theatrical release from July 24 to July 30. The film will still be available for viewing on Paramount+, starting July 25.
It's believed that the real reason for Avatar Aang receiving a limited theatrical run is so that it will become eligible for next year's Oscar awards, but still, a win is a win.
The other catch to all of this, is that the film will only have showings three times per day in Los Angeles (the AMC Burbank Town Center 6) and NYC (Manhattan’s AMC Empire 25). Tickets go on sale July 16 at 9am ET/6am PT. A screening of the film will also take place at San Diego Comic -Con next week.
Based on the animated series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, this new story in the Avatar universe sees Aang learn of an ancient power that could save his culture from extinction. With the help of his friends, he embarks on a global quest to find it before it falls into the wrong hands and threatens to upend the peace they sacrificed everything to achieve.
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender premieres July 25 on Paramount+.
The upcoming film stars Eric Nam as Aang, Dave Bautista as Tagah, Jessica Matten as Katara, Román Zaragoza as Sokka, Steven Yeun as Zuko, and Dionne Quan as Toph.