After the disaster that was M. Night Shyamalan‘s adaptation of Nickelodeon’s brilliant animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Netflix is here with another adaptation, and the hopes for this one are kind of high because the last Netflix live-action adaptation of One Piece was loved by new and existing fans of the IP. Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the adventures of a young boy named Aang, who is the world’s only hope to defeat the tyrannical Fire Nation. To do that, he has to master all of the elements, and in this adventure, he is helped by Katara and Zukko. While, Netflix’s live-action adaptation is not a direct adaptation of the animated series, as it is much more of a dramatic and visual feast than the comedic animated adventure like the animated series. The fans seem to love the live-action adaptation, and if you also loved the series, here are some similar shows you could watch next.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a fantasy adventure comedy-drama series co-created by Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg. Based on Riordan’s book series, the Disney+ series follows Percy, a 12-year-old boy who discovers that he is a demigod when the sky god, Zeus, accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. Now, Percy must go on a perilous quest with his two friends to find the real culprit and get the master lightning bolt back to Zeus. Percy Jackson and the Olympians stars Walker Sobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Charlie Bushnell, Dior Goodjohn, and Daniel Diemer.
His Dark Materials (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
His Dark Materials is a fantasy drama series that has the same stakes as Avatar: The Last Airbender, and with other similar elements, this HBO Max series is a must-watch. Based on a trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman, the Max series is set in a multiversal world, and it follows the story of a young girl and a young boy who have to go on a life-threatening mission to save multiple worlds. His Dark Materials is one of the most imaginative and beautiful shows, and if you loved the visuals in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, then you will surely love this series as well.
One Piece (Netflix)
Avatar: The Last Airbender is not the first live-action adaptation of an animated series, but it is the one that has to take on the expectations set by the incredible live-action adaptation of One Piece. Based on a Japanese manga of the same name by Eiichiro Oda, the Netflix series was adapted for television by Matt Owens and Steven Maeda. One Piece follows the journey of a young pirate named Monkey D. Luffy, who aspires to become the King of the Pirates, and to do that, he has to find the treasure known as “One Piece,” which was left behind by the previous Pirate King. In this dangerous quest, Luffy is helped by a loyal crew including Nami, Roronoa Zoro, and Usopp. One Piece stars Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, and Makenyu in the lead roles with Jacob Romero Gibson, Taz Skylar, Vincent Regan, Morgan Davies, and Jeff Ward starring in supporting roles.
Merlin (Prime Video, Pluto TV & Tubi)
The classic tale of King Arthur and his trusty mage Merlin is shown through the eyes of the mage as he tries to hide his powers for the safety of his life. Created by Julian Jones, Julian Murphy, Jake Michie, and Johnny Capps, the British series is loosely based on the Arthurian legends, and it follows the story of a young boy who travels to Camelot with his special powers to become Prince Arthur’s manservant. Merlin has to hide his powers because magic was banned in Camelot by the King. Merlin stars Colin Morgan and Bradley James in the lead roles, with Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson, Anthony Head, Tom Ellis, and Santiago Cabrera starring in supporting roles.
Sweet Tooth (Netflix)
Sweet Tooth is an incredible post-apocalyptic adventure series that has many of the same elements you loved in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Based on a DC comic book series of the same name by Jeff Lemire, the Netflix series is set in a world where most of the human population was wiped out because of a viral pandemic known as “The Great Crumble”; at the same time, a new generation of hybrids was born. In the series, we follow a young boy who is half human and half deer. After losing everything, he tries to find a new beginning with his gruff protector.
The Letter for the King (Netflix)
The most enjoyable things about Avatar: The Last Airbender is its blend of genres of fantasy and adventure, and a lovable set of characters. Based on a 1962 Dutch novel titled De brief voor de Koning by Tonke Dragt, the Netflix series was developed by Will Davies. The Letter for the King follows the story of a young knight, Tiuri, who is given a very important task of delivering a letter to the King living across the Great Mountains. The Netflix series has many similar elements that you loved in Avatar: The Last Airbender, including an ensemble cast, genre, and a deadly genre that might lead to fighting to save the world. While the series was canceled just after its first season, it is very enjoyable even with its six-episode run.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video)
If you loved Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, just a hundred times more fun, then you should check out the animated series it is based on. Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the Nickelodeon series revolves around a twelve-year-old boy named Aang, burdened with the responsibility of saving the world. In his quest to bring down the all-powerful fire nation, he is helped by the Waterbender tribe’s Katara and Sokka. The story of both the animated and the live-action series is the same, but the animated series tells its story in a comedic manner, whereas the live-action series goes the dramatic route, now that doesn’t mean that the animated series doesn’t have its serious moments and the good thing about them is that they hit harder because the rest of the series does have a light and fun tone.
The Dragon Prince (Netflix)
The Dragon Prince is another animated series that will keep you hooked throughout its run, just like Avatar: The Last Airbender. Created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond, the Netflix series is set in the magical land of Xadia, where all of the magic comes from the sun, moon, stars, sky, earth, and ocean. But when humans discover another kind of magic known as Dark Magic, an all-out war begins between Xadia and the Human Kingdoms. The only people who can stop it are two princes and an elven assassin who was initially sent to kill them.