Netflix unveiled the first footage from Ray Gunn, the highly anticipated animated film from director Brad Bird, at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 24, 2026. The streaming giant confirmed the sci-fi noir film will release on December 18, 2026, positioning it as a major holiday season offering with a star-studded voice cast including Sam Rockwell, Tom Waits, and Scarlett Johansson.
The footage reveal took place during the Next on Netflix presentation at the prestigious animation festival. Netflix screened the first seven minutes of the film along with an additional clip, giving audiences their first substantial look at the Skydance Animation co-production that has been years in the making.
Main Developments from the Annecy Presentation
Ray Gunn represents a project that has been with Brad Bird longer than most fans realize. According to information shared at the festival, the concept for Ray Gunn actually pre-dates The Iron Giant in Brad Bird’s filmography, making its eventual completion a significant moment for the acclaimed director known for The Incredibles and Ratatouille.
The film is set in a futuristic city called Metropia and features a distinctive art deco visual style. Bird himself explained his creative vision for the project, describing it as a detective story with a unique temporal twist.
“I wanted to do a detective story set in the future, but I wanted that future to be seen from the same time period during which the detective story was at its peak – the thirties, generally speaking – before World War II and the atomic bomb made the world a smaller place, and the future less than rosy,” Bird said.
The film blends classic detective noir elements with science fiction, including alien characters that populate the futuristic Metropia setting.
Voice Cast and Production Details
Sam Rockwell leads the voice cast as the title character Gunn, bringing his talents to what appears to be a classic detective protagonist in an unconventional setting. The Oscar-winning actor is joined by an impressive ensemble that spans different corners of entertainment.
Tom Waits, the legendary musician and actor, voices a character named Eyera, described as a one-eyed three-legged alien. This marks another collaboration between Bird and distinctive voice talent in his animated features.
Scarlett Johansson rounds out the top-billed cast, though specific details about her character have not been revealed. The actress brings considerable experience in both voice work and blockbuster franchises to the production.
Patton Oswalt voices a hologram character in the film, adding comedic talent to the ensemble. Kathryn Hunter takes on the role of a towering alien office manager character, contributing to the diverse alien population within Metropia.
Michael Giacchino, the Academy Award-winning composer known for his work on Pixar films and numerous blockbusters, composed the music for Ray Gunn. His involvement adds another layer of prestige to the production.
What We Know So Far
Ray Gunn is officially a co-production between Netflix and Skydance Animation. The film will release exclusively on Netflix on December 18, 2026, placing it in the competitive holiday streaming window.
The confirmed voice cast includes Sam Rockwell as Gunn, Tom Waits as Eyera, Scarlett Johansson in an unspecified role, Patton Oswalt as a hologram character, and Kathryn Hunter as an alien office manager.
The visual style combines art deco design elements with futuristic science fiction, creating what the film describes as a sci-fi noir aesthetic. The setting of Metropia serves as the backdrop for a detective story that incorporates alien characters and advanced technology.
Netflix screened the first seven minutes of the completed film at Annecy, along with an additional clip, giving festival attendees a preview of what audiences worldwide can expect in December.
What Happens Next
With the December 18, 2026 release date now confirmed, Ray Gunn enters the final stretch of its marketing campaign. The holiday release window positions the film during the busy awards season period, when animated features typically compete for recognition from industry groups and the Academy Awards.
The Annecy unveiling marks the beginning of what will likely be an extended promotional push for the Netflix and Skydance Animation co-production. Additional footage, trailers, and marketing materials can be expected in the coming months as the streaming service builds awareness for one of its major animated releases.
Brad Bird’s Animation Legacy
Brad Bird has established himself as one of the most respected directors in animation history. His feature film credits include The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Incredibles 2, all of which received critical acclaim and, in the case of Ratatouille, Academy Award recognition for Best Animated Feature.
The revelation that Ray Gunn pre-dates The Iron Giant in his creative development adds historical significance to the project. This means Bird has been developing some version of this concept since before his 1999 breakthrough feature, making Ray Gunn potentially one of the longest-gestating projects in modern animation.
His move to Netflix and Skydance Animation for this project represents a shift from his previous work at Pixar and Warner Bros., where he created his most celebrated films.
The Sci-Fi Noir Approach
Ray Gunn’s genre classification as sci-fi noir places it in a distinctive category. The film combines the visual and narrative conventions of classic detective fiction from the 1930s with futuristic science fiction elements, creating a hybrid that Bird has described as viewing the future through a pre-war lens.
The art deco visual style reinforces this temporal blend, using design aesthetics that were popular during the golden age of detective fiction while applying them to fantastical futuristic settings and characters, including the various alien inhabitants of Metropia.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Ray Gunn release on Netflix?
Ray Gunn will release on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
Who voices the main character in Ray Gunn?
Sam Rockwell voices the lead character Gunn in the animated film.
Who directed Ray Gunn?
Brad Bird directed Ray Gunn. The project pre-dates his work on The Iron Giant in his creative development.
What is Ray Gunn about?
Ray Gunn is a sci-fi noir detective story set in a futuristic city called Metropia. The film features art deco visual design and includes alien characters.
Who composed the music for Ray Gunn?
Michael Giacchino composed the music for Ray Gunn.
The December 18, 2026 release date for Ray Gunn on Netflix gives audiences a confirmed date to anticipate Brad Bird’s return to original animated filmmaking. With the first footage now revealed at Annecy and a voice cast featuring Sam Rockwell, Tom Waits, and Scarlett Johansson confirmed, the sci-fi noir film from Netflix and Skydance Animation moves toward its holiday release.
