Warner Bros has postponed 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 the voice of Pony and Jason Momoa as Bear, two fugitive animals undertaking a nationwide road trip adventure. The supporting cast includes Aubrey Plaza as a federal agent, Dan Levy as a wildlife ranger, Addison Rae, Lil Rey Howery and Ellie Bamber. This marks the most recent in a string of schedule changes for the project, which has been moved around multiple times since originally being set for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Launch Date Changes and Studio Changes
Animal Friends has undergone a remarkable journey through Warner Bros’ distribution schedule, having been rescheduled several times since its initial announcement. The film was originally scheduled for August 15, 2025, when it was scheduled to arrive through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s partnership with Sony. However, following the conclusion of that deal, the project went to Warner Bros., which subsequently shifted it multiple times throughout 2025 and 2026, demonstrating the studio’s persistent efforts to locate the ideal release date for the comedy hybrid.
The January 2027 date now constitutes the fifth confirmed release slot for the project, reflecting the intricacies of coordinating major studio releases and managing competitive marketplace dynamics. By vacating the June 5 slot, Warner Bros has freed space for other high-profile releases, including Amazon and MGM’s Masters of the Universe, Lionsgate’s Power Ballad starring Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd, and Paramount and Miramax’s Scary Movie reboot. The revised January positioning allows Animal Friends to sidestep head-to-head competition with these titles whilst potentially capitalizing on post-festive cinema attendance patterns.
- Originally scheduled for August 15, 2025 through Columbia Pictures
- Moved to Warner Bros after 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 Tale and Celebrity-Laden Cast
Animal Friends brings together an impressive ensemble of well-known talent and rising talent for this live action-animated hybrid film. Ryan Reynolds lends his voice Pony, the main small and egocentric creature lead, whilst Jason Momoa provides the vocal performance Bear, his bigger and notably more peace-loving partner. The ensemble includes award-winning actress Aubrey Plaza as a determined DEA agent chasing the fugitive duo, joined by Dan Levy taking on the role of a Fish and Wildlife ranger equally invested in their capture.
The project further strengthens its cast credentials with the inclusion of social media personality and actress Addison Rae, comedian Lil Rey Howery voicing a bird character, and British actress Ellie Bamber completing the ensemble. Helmed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with production featuring Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The mix of established comedic talent and fresh faces indicates Warner Bros has gathered a diverse team capable of delivering the adult-targeted humour the film aims to achieve.
Character Interactions
The core concept hinges on the divergent personalities of the two animal leads. Pony, notwithstanding his tiny frame, represents a self-centred narcissism that drives much of the humour, whilst Bear exemplifies the opposite temperament—a gentle giant who actively avoids conflict. In combination, this mismatched pair sets out on a long-distance expedition to discover the property they formerly knew as home, all whilst evading apprehension from the comparably quirky enforcement officers chasing them.
- Pony: small animal with marked narcissistic personality traits
- Bear: large peace-loving animal companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: single-minded DEA agent pursuing the fugitive animals
- Dan Levy: Wildlife and Fisheries ranger aiding in the search
- Cross-country adventure searching for their old ranch property
Details of Production and Creative Staff
“Animal Friends” represents a joint venture between three major production companies: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The screenplay was developed by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who constructed the story around the core concept of a pair of escaped creatures on a urgent cross-country journey. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker recognised for his work in comedy and action genres, helms the project to realise the live action-animated hybrid concept to fruition with the required comic timing and visual flair required for an adult-targeted road trip adventure.
The film’s production journey illustrates the intricacies of contemporary studio distribution models. Originally scheduled for distribution via Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” moved to Warner Bros after the conclusion of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution deal with Sony. This shift necessitated a complete reschedule, with the project cycling through several release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before ultimately landing on its January 2027 slot, highlighting 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’ schedule remains remarkably occupied in spite of the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian performer has the comedic action film “Mayday” lined up for September 2026, keeping him in the public eye throughout the prolonged wait for the Warner Bros. release. Reynolds continues to balance his film commitments with his various business ventures, including his film production outfit Maximum Effort, which is working on “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in both showcases his standing as one of the film industry’s highly coveted marquee actors.
Jason Momoa, in the meantime, has kept up an equally busy slate of projects throughout 2026. The actor starred in “The Wrecking Crew” in January and has a pair of substantial projects lined up for later in the year: the much-awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the concluding chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling sci-fi epic. These major undertakings highlight Momoa’s sustained prominence in both action series and high-calibre filmmaking, establishing him as a major attraction for audiences around the world.
Forthcoming Initiatives
- Reynolds: “Mayday” action comedy arriving September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” debuting January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” adaptation releasing later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” concluding the epic saga in 2026
