The long-awaited animated feature Ray Gunn finally has a home and a release date. Netflix announced that the film, directed by Brad Bird, will arrive on the streaming platform on December 18, 2026.
This project marks a significant return to animation for Bird, serving as his first animated feature outside of Pixar since 1999’s The Iron Giant. The filmmaker, known for his work on the Mission: Impossible franchise and various animated classics, has been developing the concept for over 30 years. Bird previously described the story as a blend of science fiction and classic detective cinema, noting that it feels like a mix of The Maltese Falcon and Buck Rogers.
A New Animated Mystery
Set in an alternate future version of 1939, the film follows private eye Raymond Gunn as he becomes entangled in a complex case involving murder, aliens, and a multimedia star named Venus Nova. The project features a voice cast led by Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, and Tom Waits.
The announcement, which took place at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, also provided a first look at the film through new production stills. These images showcase the visual style of the project, which is being produced by Skydance Animation.
A Shift in Focus
Bird’s dedication to bringing this passion project to life has resulted in a shift for his other commitments. The director stepped away from helming Incredibles 3 to focus on this production, with Peter Sohn now taking over directing duties for that sequel. Ray Gunn is written by Bird and Matthew Robbins, with a production team that includes John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Lisa Beroud.
For fans of Bird’s filmography, which includes Academy Award-winning hits like The Incredibles and Ratatouille, this release represents a major creative milestone. It will be interesting to see how his signature style translates to this noir-inspired sci-fi setting when it debuts on Netflix later next year.
Source: ComingSoon.net
