Netflix Will Premiere Animated Film Ray Gunn in December
The retrofuturistic film from director Brad Bird is set to arrive on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Animation
Live Poll
Do you prefer animated films designed to appeal to both adults and children?
Netflix has scheduled the premiere of the animated film Ray Gunn for December 18, 2026. The film features an animated setting defined by retrofuturism and takes place in 1939.
Why it matters
The project represents a long-awaited realization for director Brad Bird, whose original script from the 1990s was delayed for decades following a 1996 corporate merger.
The film features a 119-minute runtime with extensive visual detail, including 10 costume changes for the lead character Ray and 23 for the singer Venus.
The players
Brad Bird
He is an acclaimed filmmaker known for directing multiple Academy Award-winning animated features.
Michael Giacchino
He is a prolific composer recognized for his frequent collaborations with major directors on high-profile film scores.
Sam Rockwell
He is an Academy Award-winning actor known for his versatile performances in both drama and independent cinema.
Scarlett Johansson
She is a globally recognized actress who has starred in numerous blockbuster franchises and critically lauded independent films.
Netflix
It is a global subscription-based streaming service that produces and distributes original entertainment content.
The details
Starring Sam Rockwell as a private detective and Scarlett Johansson as a singer, the film utilizes 21mm and 28mm lenses to establish its scale. The visual aesthetic combines Hugh Ferriss architectural styles with Streamline Moderne curves to depict the fictional setting of 1939.
Timeline
Brad Bird wrote the original script in the 1990s.
The 1996 Turner Broadcasting System and Time Warner merger delayed the production.
Bird first shared the film concept with composer Michael Giacchino in 2003.
The film story takes place in the year 1939.
The movie will premiere on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The film serves as a high-profile example of a long-delayed studio project finally finding life through the massive capital investment of streaming platforms. This trend highlights how streamers are increasingly reviving legacy intellectual property that traditional studios once shelved during periods of consolidation.
Viewers can access the film directly via their standard Netflix subscription starting in December 2026. Because the film is a platform exclusive, audience consumption will be limited to digital streaming rather than a traditional nationwide theatrical release.
The takeaway
The journey of this film shows how modern digital distribution can finally bring long-gestating creative visions to fruition after traditional cycles fail. Viewers interested in animation history can observe how the use of classic architectural styles informs current digital design workflows.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the industry on the Animation section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Collider.
Live Poll
Do you prefer animated films designed to appeal to both adults and children?
