Netflix has officially set December 18 as the streaming release date for Ray Gunn, the new animated sci-fi feature from director Brad Bird. Bird, known for his work on The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille, will be releasing his first feature film since 2018's The Incredibles 2.
Bird has a long history with Ray Gunn, having first penned a version of the script in 1996. The film is described as a blend of retro-futuristic science fiction and classic noir detective storytelling, with Bird likening it to "Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers." The story is set in the city of Metropia and follows the titular Raymond Gunn, voiced by Oscar winner Sam Rockwell. Gunn's investigation will involve aliens, murder, and a multimedia star named Venus Nova, who is voiced by Scarlett Johansson.
The film also sees Bird reuniting with former Pixar colleague John Lasseter, who is serving as a producer. Lisa Beroud, David Ellison, and Dana Goldberg are also producing, and musician Tom Waits is part of the announced cast.
The release date announcement was made during a series of animation updates from Netflix at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. This news arrives as Netflix continues its significant investment in animation, bolstered by the success of last year's KPop Demon Hunters. Other animation projects showcased at Annecy included a teaser for The One Piece, Netflix's animated adaptation of the manga, and a first look at Sony Pictures Animation's Ghostbusters: Night Shift, both slated for 2027.
In addition to Ray Gunn, Netflix also provided updates on other upcoming animated features. Steps, a reimagining of the Cinderella story, is set for release on November 20. In Waves, an animated film adapted from AJ Dungo's 2019 graphic novel memoir about love, grief, and surfing, will arrive on December 11, following its positive reception at the Cannes festival.
