Need something to tide you over until Season 2 arrives? Here are some shows like Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender that you can watch.
After the massive success of live-action adaptations of anime and manga series, Netflix has now introduced its latest rendition of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The series, created and produced by Albert Kim, was released on the streaming giant on 22 February 2024. It stars Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Ken Leung and Daniel Dae Kim, and the show made it to Netflix’s Top 10 in 92 countries. If you’re still getting over that Aang-sized hole in your life, here are more shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Set in a war-torn world inspired by diverse Asian and Indigenous American cultures, Avatar: The Last Airbender features individuals, who possess the unique ability to bend one of the four classical elements — water, earth, fire or air. Aang, aka Avatar, and the last surviving Airbender, serves as the connection between the mortal and spirit realms.
Unlike others, he possesses the exceptional capability to bend all four elements, crucial for maintaining the world’s balance and peace. He is tasked with ending the aggressive objectives of the militaristic Fire Nation.
With his newfound allies Katara and Sokka, Aang sets out to master all four elements, all the while being pursued by Zuko, the exiled crown prince of the Fire Nation.
what @NetflixGeeked said https://t.co/Tw7gCEDrMV
— Avatar: The Last Airbender (@AvatarNetflix) March 5, 2024
Some may wonder about their next watch after completing the series, and so we’ve done the legwork by curating a list of shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender that could effectively fill the void.
Involving magical quests featuring super-powered teens and exploring the challenges of growing up in an unusual and intimidating world, here are some of the best live-action shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender.
9 live-action series like ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ to add to your watchlist
One Piece (2023)
The live-action adaptation of One Piece is based on the manga series of the same name by Eiichiro Oda and was released on Netflix in August 2023. The series follows the Straw Hat Pirates’ pursuits in search of the legendary One Piece, a coveted treasure that could potentially crown their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, as the ‘King of the Pirates’. The series features an ensemble cast, including Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero Gibson and Taz Skylar.
Critics and fans widely praised the series, commending the performances, writing, visual effects and sticking to the source material. Reviews have hailed it as one of the top live-action adaptations of a manga or anime series. Just two weeks after its release, Netflix confirmed the renewal of the series for a second season, currently in active development.
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
Wednesday (2022)
Wednesday is a supernatural live-action series centred around the character Wednesday Addams from Charles Addams’ creations. Developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the story unfolds as Wednesday is expelled from her school due to her unconventional response to bullying against her brother Pugsley.
Subsequently, her parents, Gomez and Morticia Addams enrolled her at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday’s distant and emotionless personality challenges her to build connections with her schoolmates. Despite these interpersonal struggles, she undergoes a transformative experience when she learns she has inherited her mother’s psychic abilities.
The series features Jenna Ortega in the titular role along with Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane, Hunter Doohan, Percy Hynes White, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, Naomi J. Ogawa, Christina Ricci and Moosa Mostafa. Within three weeks of its release, the series became the second-most-watched English-language show on Netflix. It garnered significant acclaim, receiving two Golden Globe nominations and winning four Primetime Emmy Awards.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
His Dark Materials (2019)
His Dark Materials is a fantasy live-action series based on the trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman. The series is set in a parallel universe and follows the adventures of a young girl named Lyra Belacqua as she explores a complex and mysterious world. The story involves multiple universes, daemons (animal companions representing a person’s soul), armoured polar bears and a powerful particle called Dust.
The first season, which premiered in 2019, covers the events of the first novel, Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass). The second season, which aired in 2020, adapts the second novel, The Subtle Knife and the final season covers the third novel, The Amber Spyglass. The series has been well-received by audiences and critics for its ambitious storytelling and imaginative world-building.
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Watch 'His Dark Materials' here
Sweet Tooth (2021)
Sweet Tooth is a fantasy live-action series by Jim Mickle, adapted from the comic book series developed by Jeff Lemire. The show debuted on Netflix in June 2021, with a second season dropping in April 2023. Following the second season, it was announced that a third and final season was in the works.
The series unfolds in a world devastated by a virus that has claimed the lives of the majority human population. Subsequently, hybrid babies with animal attributes are born. Christian Convery portrays Gus, a 10-year-old boy with deer-like features, who goes to locate his mother following his father’s demise. The show has garnered widespread critical acclaim, accumulating 20 nominations over its initial two seasons at the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
The Sandman (2022)
The Sandman is a live-action series that draws inspiration from the 1989–1996 comic book series by Neil Gaiman. The plot follows Dream, one of the Endless, a group of seven powerful and immortal beings, each associated with a particular aspect of existence. Dream, also known as Morpheus, governs dreams and oversees the Dreaming, a realm where dreams and nightmares take shape.
Developed by Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer and Allan Heinberg for Netflix, the production is a collaboration between DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. The series features Tom Sturridge in the title role, supported by Boyd Holbrook, Vivienne Acheampong and Patton Oswalt in supporting roles.
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is based on the Archie Comics character Sabrina Spellman, who first appeared in Archie’s Madhouse #22 in October 1962. The live-action series reimagines the character and her world, taking a darker and more mature approach compared to previous adaptations.
Set in the make-believe town of Greendale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina offers a dark coming-of-age transition to adulthood and covers elements of horror, dread and witchcraft. Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) faces the challenge of reconciling her identity as both a half-witch and half-mortal, all the while combating evil forces that jeopardise not only her existence but also the safety of her family and the human world in the light of day.
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Watch 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' here
Lockwood & Co. (2023)
Lockwood & Co. is an adaptation based on Jonathan Stroud’s book series with the same title. The plot closely follows the storylines of the first two books in the series — The Screaming Staircase and The Whispering Skull.
The show is set in an alternate version of present-day Britain, where an unusual phenomenon known as The Problem has emerged over the last five decades. Here, ghosts have risen from their graves, halting technological progress. While adults remain oblivious to these spirits, children possess the ability to sense them. As a result, teenagers have been organised into licensed ghost-hunting agencies responsible for identifying and eliminating these threats.
Lucy Carlyle (Ruby Strokes), a teenager with psychic abilities, flees her home and arrives in London, hoping to join one of these ghost agencies. She applies for a position at a small agency named Lockwood & Co., operated by two boys out of an ancient townhouse.
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Yu Yu Hakusho (2023)
Netflix’s Yu Yu Hakusho is a live-action adaptation of the manga and anime series of the same name, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. Yusuke Urameshi, a junior high student meets with a fatal accident while saving a child. Following a series of tests administered by Koenma, the son of the ruler of the afterlife, Yusuke is resurrected and bestowed with the title ‘Underworld Detective’.
Within the first two weeks of its release, Yu Yu Hakusho quickly soared to the top of Netflix’s rankings for non-English TV series, gaining immense popularity among both anime enthusiasts and fans of live-action content. The series earned acclaim for its action sequences and fight scenes. However, it faced criticism for the compressed plot, fitting the entire story within five episodes.
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is based on the book series penned by Rick Riordan. The story follows 12-year-old demigod Percy, who has been accused by the Greek god Zeus of stealing his thunderbolt. He sets out to locate the stolen item and restore order to Olympus.
The cast includes Walker Scobell stars as Percy Jackson, alongside Leah Sava Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri. It debuted in December 2023, on Disney+, featuring eight episodes. Critics responded positively, particularly praising its worldbuilding and the performances of the cast. In February 2024, the series was officially renewed for a second season.
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Watch 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' here
(Hero and feature image credit: Netflix)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best show like Avatar: The Last Airbender?
One Piece, Yu Yu Hakusho, Wednesday, His Dark Materials, and The Sandman are some of the best shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Sanika lives for fashion and skincare. She enjoys writing about style, beauty, and lifestyle. She worked as a fashion writer for Man's World India magazine. When not writing about designers and trends, she likes to shop, travel, try new Sushi restaurants, practise pilates and rewatch her comfort shows.
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