Warner Bros has pushed back the release of Animal Friends, its animated live-action hybrid comedy, from June 5 to January 22, 2027. The film, helmed by Peter Atencio, stars Ryan Reynolds as voicing Pony and Jason Momoa as Bear, two fugitive animals embarking on a cross-country road trip adventure. The supporting cast includes Aubrey Plaza as a DEA agent, Dan Levy as a wildlife ranger, Addison Rae, Lil Rey Howery and Ellie Bamber. This marks the latest in a series of schedule changes for the project, which has been rescheduled multiple times since originally being set for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Launch Date Changes and Studio Changes
Animal Friends has experienced a remarkable path through Warner Bros’ release schedule, after being rescheduled multiple times since its initial announcement. The film was initially slated for August 15, 2025, when it was set to release through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s partnership with Sony. However, following the end of that partnership, the project went to Warner Bros., which then rescheduled it multiple times throughout 2025 and 2026, reflecting the studio’s ongoing attempts to find the optimal release date for the hybrid comedy.
The January 2027 date now constitutes the fifth verified release window for the project, demonstrating the complexities of managing major studio releases and navigating intense marketplace dynamics. By vacating the June 5 slot, Warner Bros has cleared space for other prominent 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 new January positioning allows Animal Friends to avoid head-to-head competition with these titles whilst possibly capitalizing on post-holiday cinema attendance patterns.
- Initially planned for 15 August 2025 via Columbia Pictures
- Moved to Warner Bros after end of Legendary-Sony distribution deal
- Earlier postponed for 10 October, 1 May, and 5 June
- Currently scheduled for 22 January 2027 theatrical release date
The Narrative and Celebrity-Laden Cast
Animal Friends brings together an impressive ensemble of well-known talent and up-and-coming performers for this live-action and animated film. Ryan Reynolds lends his 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 counterpart. The cast members features critically praised performer Aubrey Plaza as a committed federal agent hunting the fugitive duo, alongside Dan Levy playing a Fish and Wildlife ranger similarly determined about their apprehension.
The project bolsters its cast credentials with the presence of social media personality and actress Addison Rae, comedian Lil Rey Howery voicing a bird character, and British actress Ellie Bamber completing the ensemble. Directed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was written by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with production involving Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The combination of seasoned comedy performers and fresh faces points to Warner Bros has assembled a diverse team able to delivering the adult-oriented comedy the film intends to accomplish.
Character Relationships
The central premise rests upon the divergent temperaments of the animal pair of characters. Pony, despite his tiny frame, embodies a self-centred narcissism that drives much of the humour, whilst Bear represents the opposite temperament—a gentle giant who consciously steers clear of conflict. As a pair, this unlikely duo sets out on a cross-country journey to find the ranch they once called home, all whilst eluding apprehension from the equally eccentric enforcement officers hunting them.
- Pony: small creature with distinct self-centred behavioural patterns
- Bear: big conflict-averse creature companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: resolute DEA agent hunting the escaped creatures
- Dan Levy: Fish and Wildlife ranger aiding in pursuit
- Cross-country adventure searching for their old ranch property
Production Details and Production Team
“Animal Friends” represents a joint venture between three major studios: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The screenplay was crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who created the story around the core concept of two fugitive animals on a urgent cross-country journey. Peter Atencio, an experienced director recognised for his expertise in action and comedy styles, directs the project to realise the live action-animated hybrid concept to fruition with the necessary comedic timing and visual flair required for an adult-oriented road trip adventure.
The film’s production journey reflects the complexities of modern studio distribution arrangements. Initially planned for release through Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” transitioned to Warner Bros after the end of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution partnership with Sony. This change required a full rescheduling, with the project moving through multiple release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before finally settling on its January 2027 position, highlighting the complex scheduling difficulties 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. |
The Future for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ timetable remains remarkably occupied despite the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian performer has the action comedy “Mayday” lined up for September 2026, keeping him in the spotlight during the extended anticipation for the Warner Bros. film. Reynolds continues to balance his film commitments with his various business ventures, such as his production company Maximum Effort, which is working on “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in both major studio films and smaller independent ventures demonstrates his position as one of the film industry’s highly coveted leading men.
Jason Momoa, in the meantime, has maintained an equally active 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 remainder of 2026: the eagerly awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the ultimate chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling sci-fi epic. These prominent projects showcase Momoa’s sustained prominence in both action-driven franchises and high-calibre filmmaking, positioning him as a major attraction for audiences globally.
Pipeline Developments
- Reynolds: “Mayday” action comedy arriving September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” released January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” adaptation launching later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” wrapping up the sprawling epic in 2026