Ray Gunn Netflix Release Set for December 18
Brad Bird's animated sci-fi film, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, arrives on Netflix after a limited theatrical run starting December 4, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Netflix will release Ray Gunn, an animated sci-fi movie directed by Brad Bird and voiced by Scarlett Johansson, on December 18, 2026. The film first opens in select theaters on December 4.
Why it matters
The December 18 date places Ray Gunn against the wide theatrical releases of Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three, a crowded release window for American audiences. The film's 94 percent Rotten Tomatoes critic score gives it an early profile in a competitive season.
Ray Gunn holds a 94 percent Rotten Tomatoes score based on critic reviews, with a select theatrical run beginning December 4, 2026. Its box office performance and viewership figures have not yet been reported.
The players
Brad Bird
Brad Bird is an American animator and filmmaker known for directing The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille.
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress who voices the lead role in Ray Gunn.
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service that will distribute Ray Gunn beginning December 18, 2026.
The details
Ray Gunn follows private detective Raymond Gunn, voiced by Sam Rockwell, who investigates a case involving aliens in the city of Metropia. Brad Bird combined noir and sci-fi genres, describing the pitch as The Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers.
Timeline
April 2026: Scarlett Johansson spoke about collaborating with Brad Bird on the animated project.
December 4, 2026: Ray Gunn opens in select theaters.
December 18, 2026: Ray Gunn premieres on Netflix, the same day as Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three open in wide release.
Industry Dynamics
Ray Gunn's release strategy, pairing a limited theatrical run with a Netflix premiere, follows the streaming-era model of staggered windows for mid-budget original films. Its placement against two tentpole franchise releases on the same date highlights how streaming platforms compete for attention during the holiday box office.
Ray Gunn will be available to stream on Netflix starting December 18, 2026, after a select theatrical run beginning December 4. Viewers planning to see it in theaters should check local listings for the December 4 release, since it opens in only select venues.
The takeaway
Ray Gunn shows how animated originals can combine genre traditions, here noir and science fiction, in a single film. Viewers who want the full context can watch it on Netflix from December 18, 2026.
What happens next
Ray Gunn opens in select theaters on December 4, 2026, before its Netflix premiere on December 18, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more science fiction films for context on the genre Ray Gunn blends with noir.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ComingSoon.
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