Brad Bird's 'Ray Gunn' First Trailer Drops: Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson Lead Netflix's Retro-Futuristic Noir

A 30-Year Dream Project Finally Blasts Onto the Big Screen

Animation purists and sci-fi connoisseurs, assemble: Oscar-winning animation visionary Brad Bird (The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille) is officially returning to feature filmmaking with his most daring cinematic endeavor yet. Netflix and Skydance Animation have finally unveiled the debut teaser trailer for Ray Gunn, a visually stunning retro-futuristic detective noir that Bird has spent over three decades trying to bring to fruition. Originally conceived in the mid-1990s at Warner Bros. Feature Animation alongside longtime writing partner Matthew Robbins (Batteries Not Included, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio), this beloved passion project survived decades in development limbo before securing its grand spotlight for the 2026 holiday season.

Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson Lead a Star-Studded Voice Ensemble

Set against the neon-drenched backdrop of a sprawling art deco metropolis of tomorrow where human citizens, extraterrestrial migrants, and morally bankrupt synthetic crime lords collide, Ray Gunn introduces viewers to the world’s very last human private detective. Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell lends his gravelly charisma to the titular gumshoe Ray Gunn, a cynical investigator navigating a city teetering on the edge of social upheaval while surviving on black espresso and recharged blaster cells. Rockwell is joined by Marvel superstar Scarlett Johansson, who voices a captivating nightclub songstress wrapped up in a lethal intergalactic conspiracy, as well as cult music icon Tom Waits providing raspy underworld wisdom.

British comedy favorite Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, Toast of London) also lends his theatrical booming voice as the eccentric alien mob boss Slugsy, adding sharp comedic menace to the hard-boiled atmosphere. Rather than following the ultra-glossy, plastic CGI look typical of modern digital animation, Bird and Skydance Animation have pioneered a hybrid aesthetic that fuses classical hand-drawn line animation sensibilities with cutting-edge volumetric 3D lighting. The resulting frames look like a vintage 1940s Humphrey Bogart mystery like The Maltese Falcon blended seamlessly with the rain-soaked cyberpunk shadows of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.

Limited 70mm Theatrical Rollout Before Streaming Worldwide

In a thrilling statement of confidence for moviegoers who value the big-screen experience, Netflix announced that Ray Gunn will kick off with an exclusive, limited theatrical run starting December 4, 2026. Even more exciting for film purists, select prestige venues across New York, Los Angeles, and London will present the film in glorious 70mm large-format film prints, highlighting the film’s rich cinematic scope before it lands globally on Netflix streaming on December 18, 2026.

Following recent acclaimed animation masterpieces like Sony Pictures Animation's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse and DreamWorks' The Wild Robot, Brad Bird's stylish genre revival underscores that animated cinema is a medium for sophisticated, mature storytelling rather than merely child-friendly entertainment. With its intoxicating blend of retro-pulp detective tropes, lush orchestral jazz, and groundbreaking visuals, Ray Gunn is shaping up to be the definitive cinematic treat of the winter season.