Netflix Will Premiere Animated Film Ray Gunn in December
Director Brad Bird brings his long-gestating detective mystery to Netflix on December 18, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Animation
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The animated feature Ray Gunn is set for a worldwide release on Netflix on December 18, 2026, following its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on October 10. Directed by Brad Bird, the project brings to life the fictional city of Metropia with a voice cast including Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell.
Why it matters
The project represents a significant recovery of a long-stalled production that struggled to secure backing for decades. Studios historically turned down the concept due to skepticism regarding the viability of animated detective mysteries in the feature market.
The production budget for Ray Gunn is reported to exceed $150 million. The film has officially received a PG rating for its upcoming theatrical and streaming debut.
The players
Brad Bird
He is an acclaimed director and animator known for his work on major feature films such as The Incredibles and The Iron Giant.
Skydance Animation
This is a division of the Skydance Media company that develops and produces large-scale animated feature films and television series.
Scarlett Johansson
She is an award-winning actress who has provided voice work for various animated projects in addition to her live-action film career.
Sam Rockwell
He is an Oscar-winning actor recognized for his versatile performances in both independent dramas and major studio productions.
Netflix
This is an international streaming platform that provides on-demand media services to subscribers in more than 190 countries.
The details
Brad Bird voices the characters Gunsol and Musker, while Tom Waits and Matt Berry provide voices for Eyera and Slugsy Xavier. The film was greenlit by Skydance Animation in 2022 after Bird first began developing the detective concept during the mid-1990s at Turner Feature Animation.
Timeline
Brad Bird began initial development of Ray Gunn in the mid-1990s.
Skydance Animation approved the film for production in 2022.
The world premiere takes place at the BFI London Film Festival on October 10, 2026.
The film premieres globally on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The release reflects a broader trend of streaming services financing high-budget original animated features that legacy studios previously deemed too risky. This strategy helps Netflix compete directly against major animation houses by securing auteur-led content.
Viewers can access the film directly via their Netflix subscription beginning on December 18, 2026. The movie will also have a limited presence in the festival circuit following its premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.
The takeaway
Ray Gunn demonstrates that creative projects once rejected as unmarketable can eventually find a home with modern streaming giants. Fans of Bird's earlier work can look forward to seeing how his signature style translates to the detective noir genre.
Further reading
For more on the latest releases in this genre, see the Animation section.
Live Poll
Do you prefer watching detective and mystery stories in animated form rather than live-action?
