Brad Bird is heading into a very different kind of animated world with Ray Gunn, a retro-futuristic sci-fi noir that mixes hardboiled detective mystery, aliens, flying cars, and a dangerous celebrity at the center of a murder case.
Netflix released the first official trailer on September 23, giving viewers their clearest look yet at the film and its strange world of Metropia. The movie also features a voice cast led by Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits. Netflix’s official Tudum coverage gives the first detailed look at the movie’s story and characters.
Here’s everything to know about Ray Gunn, including its Netflix release date, theatrical plans, trailer, voice cast, story, and what makes Brad Bird’s latest movie different from his previous animated films.
Ray Gunn Netflix Release Date
Ray Gunn will be released globally on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
Before its streaming debut, the movie will receive a limited theatrical release beginning December 4, 2026, including limited 70mm screenings.
That gives Ray Gunn a two-stage release: audiences can see Brad Bird’s new animated film in select theaters first, followed by its worldwide Netflix debut two weeks later.
Netflix’s official Ray Gunn page lists the movie as a 2026 sci-fi film starring Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits.
For readers tracking other upcoming 2026 releases, FilmRadar’s Upcoming Movies 2026 guide is also worth checking.
What Is Ray Gunn About?
Ray Gunn is set in Metropia, a gigantic city in an alternate future inspired by the visual style of 1939.
The city is filled with towering Art Deco-inspired buildings, flying cars, humans, and aliens. But underneath the futuristic glamour is a much darker world involving murder, corruption, crime, and old-fashioned detective work.
At the center of the story is Raymond Gunn, a private detective who belongs to an increasingly outdated profession.
Technology has changed detective work in Metropia, with tiny machines known as pry bots handling much of the investigation. Ray, however, continues working the old-fashioned way.
His case becomes much more complicated when he crosses paths with Venus Nova, a hugely famous multimedia star whose public image is beginning to fall apart.
The investigation eventually takes Ray through both the glamorous upper levels of Metropia and the city’s darker criminal underworld.
Netflix’s official synopsis similarly describes Raymond Gunn as a private eye drawn into a case involving aliens, murder, and Venus Nova. Read the official Netflix synopsis.
Who Voices Ray Gunn?
The main voice cast includes:
- Sam Rockwell as Raymond Gunn
- Scarlett Johansson as Venus Nova
- Tom Waits as Eye-Ra
Sam Rockwell voices Ray Gunn, the hardboiled private investigator at the center of the story.
Scarlett Johansson voices Venus Nova, one of Metropia’s biggest stars, whose scandals bring Ray into her orbit.
Tom Waits voices Eye-Ra, Ray’s trusted partner and a one-eyed alien.
Netflix’s first-look coverage confirms Tom Waits as the voice of Ray’s alien partner and notes that more casting announcements were still expected at that stage. See Netflix Tudum’s Ray Gunn first look.
Who Directed Ray Gunn?
Brad Bird wrote and directed Ray Gunn.
Bird is best known for animated films including The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Incredibles 2.
Ray Gunn is particularly interesting because Bird has been developing the idea for decades. Netflix says the concept dates back more than 30 years and combines classic detective movies with science fiction.
The movie’s visual and storytelling approach is also deliberately aimed at showing that animation can explore stories beyond traditional family-oriented adventures.
What Is the Ray Gunn Trailer About?
The first official Ray Gunn trailer introduces Metropia and immediately establishes the movie’s noir atmosphere.
The futuristic city looks bright and spectacular on the surface, but the trailer quickly reveals a darker side filled with crime, danger, and corruption.
Ray is introduced as an old-school detective trying to work in a world where technology has changed the profession.
Venus Nova becomes an important part of his investigation, while Eye-Ra joins Ray as his unusual alien partner.
The trailer also highlights the movie’s combination of futuristic technology and classic detective imagery, giving Ray Gunn a visual identity that feels closer to sci-fi noir than conventional animated adventure.
You can watch the trailer and read Netflix’s official breakdown on Netflix Tudum.
Why Does Ray Gunn Look Different From Other Animated Movies?
One of the most interesting things about Ray Gunn is its combination of genres.
The movie takes inspiration from classic detective stories while placing those ideas inside a futuristic science-fiction setting.
Metropia mixes:
- Art Deco architecture
- Flying cars
- Aliens
- Private detectives
- Crime and murder
- Celebrity culture
- Futuristic technology
- Classic film-noir influences
Brad Bird has described the basic idea as a blend of The Maltese Falcon and Buck Rogers, which gives a good indication of the movie’s unusual tone.
Instead of presenting animation simply as a family genre, Ray Gunn uses it to build a stylized world where detective noir and science fiction can exist together.
When Can You Watch Ray Gunn?
There are two confirmed release dates:
December 4, 2026: Limited theatrical and 70mm release
December 18, 2026: Global Netflix release
For most viewers, December 18 is the main date to remember because that is when Ray Gunn arrives on Netflix worldwide.
Netflix’s 2026 Fall Movies guide also lists Ray Gunn for December 18 and identifies Brad Bird as director, with Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits in the cast.
Is Ray Gunn a Netflix Original Movie?
Yes. Ray Gunn is a Netflix film and will stream globally on the platform.
The movie is produced by Skydance Animation, with Brad Bird directing and Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits leading the voice cast.
For more Netflix-focused movie coverage, readers can also browse FilmRadar’s Movies section.
What Makes Ray Gunn Worth Watching?
The biggest hook is the combination of Brad Bird’s animation background with a much darker detective-noir concept.
Rather than simply building another futuristic action movie, Ray Gunn puts a private detective at the center of a mystery involving murder, aliens, celebrity culture, and a city divided between glamorous heights and a darker underworld.
That gives the film several potential search angles beyond the basic Netflix release: Ray Gunn movie, Ray Gunn Netflix, Ray Gunn Brad Bird, Ray Gunn trailer, Ray Gunn release date, and Ray Gunn cast.
Final Thoughts
Ray Gunn looks like a major departure from the usual animated movie formula.
Brad Bird is taking the familiar ingredients of detective noir and putting them inside a futuristic city populated by humans and aliens. The result is a movie built around mystery, crime, science fiction, and a deliberately retro visual style.
The December release also gives the film an interesting theatrical-to-streaming rollout. Ray Gunn will first appear in select theaters and limited 70mm screenings on December 4, before arriving globally on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
With the trailer now available and interest around Brad Bird, Sam Rockwell, and Scarlett Johansson building, Ray Gunn is one of Netflix’s more distinctive animated releases to watch for the end of 2026.
Ray Gunn premieres globally on Netflix on December 18, 2026.