Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender

Thirteen years after the Hundred Year War, Avatar Aang and his friends have built Republic City, but Aang mourns the loss of the Air Nomads. While visiting the Southern Air Temple, he is ambushed by the Denied, a group of non-bending outlaws who steal a map connected to an unknown airbender named Sonam. Aang learns from his past lives that Sonam was a forgotten Avatar whose staff could grant airbending to others. He gathers Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko to find the staff at Mount Baihu.

There, they discover a frozen airbender named Tagah, an ancient follower of Sonam. Tagah guides them to a hidden island surrounded by a cyclone, where the staff is hidden. Aang hopes to use it to restore the Air Nomads, but Tagah resents other bending nations. The Denied attack their airship; Tagah nearly kills them but is stopped by Aang. Katara pleads with Aang to abandon the mission, but he prioritizes the staff over his friends' safety.

On the island, Aang retrieves the staff by wielding all four elements. Tagah reveals his true intentions by killing the group—including Aang—and stealing the staff to restore Air Nomad supremacy. Katara survives by landing in spirit water and revives the others. Aang learns from Sonam's spirit that Tagah betrayed her, traumatized by war, and stole her staff for vengeance.

Sonam urges Aang to recover the staff and restore balance. The group pursues Tagah through the Spirit World to Republic City, where Tagah has granted airbending to the Denied. Aang confronts Tagah and reclaims the staff, but succumbs to a corrupted Avatar State after Tagah accuses him of failing the Air Nomads. Memories of Monk Gyatso lead Aang to spare Tagah and destroy the staff, stripping the Denied of their powers and causing Tagah to fade away.

Aang tells Tagah they must forgive themselves. Afterwards, Aang oversees construction of a new Air Temple near Republic City, concluding that the Air Nomads' true legacy is their values. He and his friends welcome new Air Acolytes, including a reformed Denied member, and discover a herd of sky bison, strengthening his hope.

The film was announced in February 2021 alongside the formation of Avatar Studios, a Nickelodeon division for projects in the Avatar universe. Lauren Montgomery was attached as director by June 2022. Principal voice roles were mostly recast to respect character ethnic backgrounds.