Gilles 
What if the future had been imagined... back in 1939? That is the starting point of Ray Gunn, the upcoming feature film from Brad Bird, slated for release on Netflix on December 18, 2026. This sci-fi noir follows Raymond Gunn, a private eye thrown into a tangled case involving murder, extraterrestrials, and celebrities, all set within a sprawling retro-futuristic megalopolis called Metropia.
After years of development, this passion project from the director of The Iron Giant and The Incredibles is shaping up to be one of the streaming platform's most ambitious animated films yet.
Warner Passes, and Pixar Isn't Even Consulted
Brad Bird has never hidden his deep attachment to Ray Gunn. The idea dates back to the 1990s, well before his tenure at Pixar. Initially set up at Warner Bros, the project sat on the shelf for decades as no studio was willing to finance such an atypical animated feature. Following a deal with Warner, who doubted the film's commercial viability, Bird took his project back.
The filmmaker chose not to pitch it to Pixar, believing that its darker, more mature universe did not align with the family-oriented identity of the studio where he directed The Incredibles and Ratatouille.
Off the record, Bird was also keen to collaborate once again with his friend John Lasseter, the creative force behind Toy Story, who has been persona non grata at Pixar and Disney for years following allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior. Ultimately, Skydance Animation and Netflix stepped in to bring Ray Gunn back to life.
The name Ray Gunn is a nod to the classic television series Peter Gunn, whose jazzy, energetic, and atmospheric score Brad Bird has always loved.
A Blend of Film Noir and Retro Science Fiction
The originality of Ray Gunn lies primarily in its world-building.
The future depicted in Metropia is the kind people dreamed up in the late 1930s: towering skyscrapers, flying cars, technology straight out of pulp sci-fi magazines, and humans coexisting with aliens.
The aesthetic draws equally from classic American film noir and retro science fiction, leaning heavily into Art Deco lines and monumental architecture.
It feels somewhere halfway between The Maltese Falcon and Buck Rogers.
More than just a backdrop, the city of Metropia acts as one of the film's main characters, blending 1930s architecture, futuristic gadgets, and classic detective story vibes.
Early visual previews reveal a dense, vertical, and spectacular city where extraterrestrial species seem fully integrated into the daily lives of the citizens.
What the Annecy Festival Revealed
At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival last June, Brad Bird took the stage to present several exclusive concept arts and discuss the project's grand ambitions.
The early footage confirmed a meticulously crafted artistic direction, boasting a strong graphical identity and a resolutely noir atmosphere.
Attendees were treated to a preview of the film's opening seven minutes, and the promise is already massive: a rich, immersive universe established in mere seconds, breakneck pacing, and a constant balancing act between suspense and humor. Clearly, Brad Bird is back in top form!
A Stellar Voice Cast
| Sam Rockwell | Detective Raymond Gunn |
| Tom Waits | his alien partner |
| Scarlett Johansson | the mysterious Venus Nova |
| John Ratzenberger (Pixar animation staple) | role yet to be announced |
I think Ray Gunn could change how some people view animation. It is capable of telling nuanced and complex stories while remaining entertaining. I wanted to target a slightly older audience. Not drastically so: teenagers are just fine. But I wanted to make something a bit more adult.
Why We Are So Excited
- Brad Bird returning to a 100% original creation.
- A striking visual identity backed by what promises to be virtuosic direction.
- A rock-solid voice cast.
Why Disappointment Is Still Possible
- The mixture of film noir and sci-fi is hardly uncharted territory.
- A sense of deja vu: Metropia's visual world strongly echoes Blade Runner and The Fifth Element.
- Streaming on Netflix rather than getting a theatrical run might not do justice to the film's grand scale.
Coming in Late 2026
Straddling the line between film noir and pulp science fiction within a top-tier animated format, Ray Gunn could well turn out to be the major streaming event of late 2026 on Netflix. If Brad Bird manages to translate three decades of development into a feature film that matches his ambitions, he just might deliver one of the most original achievements of his career.
The concept, the visual landscape, and Brad Bird's pedigree alone are enough to rank Ray Gunn among the most promising releases of 2026. Now we just have to wait and see if the film delivers on its towering promises.