Warner Bros has pushed back the release of Animal Friends, its live-action animated 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 wanted creatures setting off on a cross-country journey 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 moved around multiple times since initially scheduled for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Launch Date Changes and Production Changes
Animal Friends has gone through a remarkable path through Warner Bros’ distribution schedule, after being shifted several times since its initial announcement. The film was originally slated for August 15, 2025, when it was scheduled to arrive through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s partnership with Sony. However, after the end of that partnership, the project went to Warner Bros., which subsequently shifted it several times throughout 2025 and 2026, demonstrating the studio’s persistent attempts to find the ideal release date for the comedy hybrid.
The January 2027 date now constitutes the fifth confirmed release slot for the project, reflecting the complexities of managing major studio releases and managing competitive marketplace dynamics. By abandoning 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 new January positioning allows Animal Friends to avoid direct competition with these titles whilst potentially capitalizing on post-holiday cinema attendance patterns.
- Originally scheduled for 15 August 2025 via Columbia Pictures
- Transferred to Warner Bros after end of Legendary-Sony distribution deal
- Earlier postponed for 10 October, May 1, and 5 June
- Currently scheduled for January 22, 2027 theatrical release date
The Narrative and Star-Studded Cast
Animal Friends assembles an strong lineup of established performers and emerging stars for this live action-animated hybrid film. Ryan Reynolds provides the voice Pony, the titular small but self-absorbed animal character, whilst Jason Momoa lends his voice Bear, his larger and substantially more conflict-avoiding counterpart. The ensemble includes acclaimed actress Aubrey Plaza as a resolute DEA agent hunting the wanted pair, alongside Dan Levy portraying a Fish and Wildlife ranger similarly determined about their apprehension.
The project enhances its cast credentials with the presence 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 crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with production featuring Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The combination of seasoned comedy performers and fresh faces indicates Warner Bros has brought together a diverse team equipped to delivering the adult-targeted humour the film seeks to deliver.
Character Relationships
The central idea hinges on the contrasting temperaments of the animal pair of protagonists. Pony, despite his diminutive stature, embodies a self-centred narcissism that fuels much of the humour, whilst Bear represents the opposite temperament—a gentle giant who consciously steers clear of conflict. Together, this mismatched pair sets out on a long-distance expedition to discover the property they previously called their home, all whilst avoiding detention from the equally eccentric police pair hunting them.
- Pony: diminutive animal with marked self-centred behavioural patterns
- Bear: big non-confrontational creature companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: single-minded DEA agent hunting the fugitive animals
- Dan Levy: Fish and Wildlife warden assisting in pursuit
- Cross-country adventure seeking their old ranch property
Details of Production and Creative Staff
“The Animal Friends Project” constitutes a joint venture between three leading production companies: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The script was developed by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who constructed the narrative around the central premise of a pair of escaped creatures on a urgent cross-country journey. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker known for his expertise in action and comedy genres, helms the film to realise the live action-animated hybrid concept to life with the necessary comedic timing and visual flair needed for an adult-oriented cross-country adventure.
The film’s production journey illustrates the complexities of modern studio distribution arrangements. Initially planned for distribution via Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” transitioned to Warner Bros following the conclusion of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution deal with Sony. This change required a full rescheduling, with the project cycling through multiple release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before finally settling on its January 2027 slot, highlighting the complex scheduling difficulties facing 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 despite the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian performer has the comedic action film “Mayday” scheduled for September 2026, maintaining him in the spotlight throughout the prolonged anticipation for the Warner Bros. film. Reynolds manages to juggle his movie obligations with his multiple commercial interests, including his production company Maximum Effort, which is working on “Animal Friends” itself. His involvement in major studio productions and independent projects showcases his position as one of the film industry’s most sought-after marquee actors.
Jason Momoa, meanwhile, has sustained a similarly robust slate of projects throughout 2026. The actor was featured in “The Wrecking Crew” in January and has two significant releases lined up for the remainder of 2026: the highly anticipated “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the final instalment of Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling sci-fi epic. These prominent projects demonstrate Momoa’s continued prominence in both action-driven franchises and prestige filmmaking, cementing his status as a major attraction for audiences around the world.
Upcoming Projects
- Reynolds: “Mayday” action comedy coming September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” debuting January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” adaptation launching later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” concluding the epic saga in 2026