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, directed by Peter Atencio, stars Ryan Reynolds as voicing Pony and Jason Momoa as Bear, two fugitive animals setting off on a cross-country road trip 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 most recent in a string of schedule changes for the project, which has been rescheduled multiple times since initially scheduled for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Launch Date Changes and Production Changes
Animal Friends has gone through a notable path through Warner Bros’ release schedule, after being moved multiple times since its initial announcement. The film was originally slated for August 15, 2025, when it was set to release through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s distribution deal with Sony. However, following the end of that deal, the project transitioned to Warner Bros., which subsequently shifted it multiple times throughout 2025 and 2026, reflecting the studio’s continued attempts to find the best theatrical window for the comedy hybrid.
The January 2027 date now represents the fifth confirmed release slot for the project, illustrating the intricacies of managing major studio releases and navigating intense marketplace dynamics. By abandoning the June 5 slot, Warner Bros has freed 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-festive cinema attendance patterns.
- Initially planned for 15 August 2025 via Columbia Pictures
- Moved to Warner Bros following conclusion of Legendary-Sony distribution agreement
- Previously rescheduled for October 10, 1 May, and 5 June
- Now set for 22 January 2027 theatrical release date
The Tale and Celebrity-Laden Cast
Animal Friends assembles an strong lineup of well-known talent and rising talent for this 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 voices Bear, his larger and substantially more conflict-avoiding counterpart. The ensemble includes acclaimed actress Aubrey Plaza as a determined DEA agent pursuing the fugitive duo, alongside Dan Levy taking on the role of a Fish and Wildlife ranger equally invested in their apprehension.
The project further strengthens its cast credentials with the addition 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. Directed 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 assembled a diverse team capable of providing the adult-targeted humour the film aims to achieve.
Character Relationships
The central premise centres on the opposing character traits of the two animal characters. Pony, in spite of his tiny frame, represents a self-absorbed nature that drives much of the humour, whilst Bear embodies the opposite temperament—a gentle giant who actively avoids confrontation. Together, this mismatched pair undertakes a cross-country journey to locate the ranch they previously called their home, all whilst avoiding apprehension from the comparably quirky enforcement officers chasing them.
- Pony: tiny animal with marked narcissistic personality traits
- Bear: big non-confrontational animal companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: determined DEA agent pursuing the escaped creatures
- Dan Levy: Wildlife and Fisheries warden helping in pursuit
- Cross-country trek searching for their previous ranch residence
Production Details and Creative Staff
“The Animal Friends Project” constitutes a joint venture between three leading studios: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The screenplay was crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who constructed the story around the core concept of two fugitive animals on a desperate cross-country mission. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker recognised for his work in action and comedy genres, helms the project to realise the hybrid live-action animated vision 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 modern studio distribution arrangements. Originally scheduled for distribution via Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” moved to Warner Bros following the conclusion of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution deal with Sony. This shift required a complete reschedule, with the film moving through multiple release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before ultimately landing 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. |
What Comes Next for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ timetable stays remarkably busy despite the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian actor has the action comedy “Mayday” lined up for September 2026, maintaining him in the public eye during the prolonged wait for the Warner Bros. release. Reynolds continues to balance his film commitments with his multiple business ventures, such as his production company Maximum Effort, which is involved in developing “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in both showcases his standing as one of Hollywood’s highly coveted marquee actors.
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 latter half of the year: the much-awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the ultimate chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s epic science fiction saga. These prominent projects demonstrate Momoa’s continued prominence in both action series and prestige cinema, positioning him as a significant draw for audiences around the world.
Forthcoming Initiatives
- Reynolds: “Mayday” comedic action film coming September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” released January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” adaptation launching later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” concluding the sprawling epic in 2026
