The release of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has renewed interest in the critically acclaimed series.
Avatar: The Last Airbender set itself apart from other TV shows with its meticulous world-building and tackling of mature topics through a kid-friendly animated series about a group of elemental benders. Although few shows can parallel the groundbreaking nature of the original series, there are other projects that come close to echoing the show's world-building, spirit, and fantasy elements.
Check out our guide for 10 more great TV shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender that you can stream online right now on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and more!
Avatar: The Legend of Korra
You can’t get much closer to Avatar: The Last Airbender than its spinoff series, Avatar: The Legend of Korra. The spinoff takes place 70 years after the original series, where a new Avatar, Korra (Janet Varney), has taken Aang’s place. It delves deeper into more obscure bending powers, such as metal bending and blood bending, and continues its sophisticated worldbuilding by examining a world steeped in political unrest.
Black Clover
Black Clover is a strong choice for viewers looking for a more expansive array of elemental powers than the four basic elements in Avatar: The Last Airbender. The anime series takes place in a complex fantasy world where most individuals boast some kind of power, such as wind magic, gravity magic, spatial magic, and many more. It’s a strong anime series that offers viewers a unique look into a society built on magic.
Fairy Tail
Fairy Tail is another series that offers a more expansive delve into a fantasy world filled with magic. The anime explores seven different types of elemental magic and how a magical world maintains order and peace through numerous wizard guilds. It’s perfect for viewers seeking a more comedic and lighthearted alternative to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
Like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kipo and the Age of Wondereasts is one of those rare series that appeals to all ages and probes surprisingly mature themes about race and class. It follows Kipo Oak (Karen Fukuhara), a young girl navigating a post-apocalyptic world where humans live underground due to tense relations with the surface-dwelling mutants. The show excels at world-building and has received critical acclaim for its diversity and LGBTQ+ representation.
Naruto
Naruto explores elemental powers like Avatar: The Last Airbender but includes a unique ninja twist. In Naruto, many individuals have a natural affinity for the five Chakra natures: fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning. Viewers will find a protagonist similar to Aang in Naruto Uzumaki, as he boasts the rarest Wind Release powers and strives to become a great leader in his village.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Percy Jackson and the Olympians' exploration of the offspring of Greek gods means there is plenty of exploration of children with the power to manipulate elements like water, lightning, or plants. However, the show is most like Avatar: The Last Airbender in its story of a boy burdened with prophecies that he will save the world but who finds support and lifelong friendships on his journey.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is a reboot of the 1985 series She-Ra: Princess of Power. It follows She-Ra (Aimee Carrero), a young girl who joins the Rebellion to stop the evil tyrant Hordak (Keston John) from conquering the world. Like Avatar: The Last Airbender, it’s notable for its diversity and for tackling mature themes about corruption and imperialism.
The Dragon Prince
The Dragon Prince is created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond, who both worked as executive producers on Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show follows three children whose protection of the titular Dragon Prince is vital to restoring peace to the world. Its beautiful animation and deep dive into a world at war and steeped in magic derived from nature make it feel like a spiritual successor to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The Owl House
The Owl House follows Luz Noceda (Sarah-Nicole Robles), a teenage girl whose life changes when she stumbles into the Demon Realm and begins pursuing her dream of becoming a witch. It has received high critical acclaim for its outstanding LGBTQ+ representation. In addition to its diversity, it boasts the same carefully crafted critique of colonialism as Avatar: The Last Airbender as well as the “found family” aspect.
Xiaolin Showdown
Similar to Avatar: The Last Airbender, Xiaolin Showdown is heavily influenced by Asian culture and examines a world filled with magic and martial arts. The show follows four young monks, Omi (Tara Strong), Kimiko (Grey DeLisle), Raimundo (Tom Kenny), and Clay (Jeff Bennett), as they search the globe for magical artifacts that will help maintain balance in the world. Xiaolin Showdown will especially appeal to viewers who enjoyed the epic fight scenes in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Where to watch shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender online
Check out our list below to find out where these 10 TV shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender are streaming in the United States!
