Warner Bros has delayed the release of Animal Friends, its animated live-action hybrid comedy, from June 5 to January 22, 2027. The film, directed by Peter Atencio, stars Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pony and Jason Momoa as Bear, two fugitive animals setting off on a cross-country journey adventure. The ensemble cast includes Aubrey Plaza as a DEA agent, Dan Levy as a Fish and Wildlife ranger, Addison Rae, Lil Rey Howery and Ellie Bamber. This marks the latest in a string of schedule changes for the project, which has been shuffled multiple times since initially scheduled for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Release Date Shuffle and Production Changes
Animal Friends has undergone a significant path through Warner Bros’ release schedule, after being rescheduled multiple times since its initial announcement. The film was originally scheduled for August 15, 2025, when it was planned to debut through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s partnership with Sony. However, following the conclusion of that deal, the project went to Warner Bros., which then shifted it several times throughout 2025 and 2026, showing the studio’s persistent attempts to find the best release date for the blended comedy.
The January 2027 date now marks the fifth verified release slot for the project, reflecting the intricacies of managing major studio releases and navigating competitive marketplace dynamics. By vacating the June 5 slot, Warner Bros has cleared space for other high-profile releases, including Amazon and MGM’s Masters of the Universe, Lionsgate’s Power Ballad featuring Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd, and Paramount and Miramax’s Scary Movie reboot. The revised January positioning allows Animal Friends to avoid direct competition with these titles whilst potentially capitalizing on post-festive cinema attendance patterns.
- Initially planned for August 15, 2025 through Columbia Pictures
- Transferred to Warner Bros following end of Legendary-Sony distribution agreement
- Earlier postponed for October 10, 1 May, and June 5
- Now set for 22 January 2027 cinema release date
The Story and Star-Studded Cast
Animal Friends brings together an impressive ensemble of established performers and emerging stars for this mixed live-action and animated film. Ryan Reynolds provides the voice Pony, the title character who is small yet self-absorbed animal protagonist, whilst Jason Momoa provides the vocal performance Bear, his bigger and notably more peace-loving partner. The ensemble comprises acclaimed actress Aubrey Plaza as a determined DEA agent pursuing the wanted pair, joined by Dan Levy portraying a Fish and Wildlife ranger similarly determined about their arrest.
The project further strengthens its cast credentials with the inclusion of social media personality and actress Addison Rae, comedian Lil Rey Howery providing voice work for a bird character, and British actress Ellie Bamber completing the ensemble. Helmed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was penned by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with production featuring Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The combination of established comedic talent and fresh faces indicates Warner Bros has brought together a diverse team able to providing the adult-targeted humour the film aims to achieve.
Character Relationships
The core premise hinges on the contrasting temperaments of the animal pair of characters. Pony, despite his tiny frame, represents a self-centred narcissism that fuels much of the humour, whilst Bear represents the opposite temperament—a kindly behemoth who consciously steers clear of disagreement. Together, this mismatched pair sets out on a transcontinental trip to locate the homestead they once called home, all whilst eluding apprehension from the similarly unconventional police pair hunting them.
- Pony: small creature with distinct self-centred behavioural patterns
- Bear: large peace-loving animal companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: resolute DEA officer tracking the wanted animals
- Dan Levy: Wildlife and Fisheries ranger assisting in the hunt
- Cross-country adventure seeking their previous ranch residence
Details of Production and Creative Staff
“Animal Friends” represents a joint venture between three leading studios: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The script was developed by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who created the narrative around the core concept of two fugitive animals on a desperate cross-country mission. Peter Atencio, an experienced director known for his expertise in comedy and action genres, helms the project to bring the hybrid live-action animated concept to life with the required comic timing and stylistic flourish needed for an adult-targeted road trip adventure.
The film’s production journey reflects the intricacies of contemporary studio distribution models. Originally scheduled for release through Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” moved to Warner Bros after the end of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution deal with Sony. This change necessitated a full rescheduling, with the film cycling through multiple release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before finally settling on its January 2027 slot, demonstrating the intricate scheduling challenges confronting major studio releases.
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Peter Atencio |
| Screenplay Writers | Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider |
| Production Companies | Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort, Prime Focus Studios |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. |
What Comes Next for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ agenda stays remarkably occupied in spite of the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian performer has the action comedy “Mayday” scheduled for September 2026, maintaining him in the public eye during the prolonged anticipation for the Warner Bros. release. Reynolds continues to balance his movie obligations with his various business ventures, such as his production company Maximum Effort, which is working on “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in major studio productions and independent projects demonstrates his standing as one of Hollywood’s highly coveted marquee actors.
Jason Momoa, in the meantime, has sustained a similarly robust slate of projects throughout 2026. The actor recently appeared in “The Wrecking Crew” in January and has a pair of substantial projects lined up for the latter half of the year: the eagerly awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the final instalment of Denis Villeneuve’s grand science fiction series. These prominent projects highlight Momoa’s ongoing prominence in both action-driven franchises and prestige filmmaking, cementing his status as a significant draw for audiences worldwide.
Upcoming Projects
- Reynolds: “Mayday” action comedy arriving September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” released January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” film adaptation releasing later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” wrapping up the epic saga in 2026
