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 federal 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.
Release Date Changes and Production Shifts
Animal Friends has gone through a notable journey through Warner Bros’ release schedule, after being moved multiple times since its original announcement. The film was originally slated for August 15, 2025, when it was scheduled to arrive through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s distribution deal with Sony. However, after the termination of that deal, the project moved to Warner Bros., which subsequently adjusted it multiple times throughout 2025 and 2026, showing the studio’s ongoing efforts to locate the best theatrical window for the comedy hybrid.
The January 2027 date now represents the fifth confirmed 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 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 revised January positioning allows Animal Friends to sidestep direct competition with these titles whilst potentially capitalizing on post-holiday cinema attendance patterns.
- Initially planned for August 15, 2025 via Columbia Pictures
- Transferred to Warner Bros following conclusion of Legendary-Sony distribution deal
- Previously rescheduled for October 10, May 1, and June 5
- Now set for 22 January 2027 theatrical release date
The Story and Celebrity-Laden Cast
Animal Friends assembles an impressive ensemble of established performers and up-and-coming performers for this live action-animated hybrid film. Ryan Reynolds voices Pony, the title character who is small yet self-absorbed animal protagonist, whilst Jason Momoa provides the vocal performance Bear, his larger and substantially more conflict-avoiding counterpart. The cast members comprises award-winning actress Aubrey Plaza as a committed federal agent hunting the wanted pair, joined by Dan Levy taking on the role of a Fish and Wildlife ranger similarly determined about their arrest.
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 rounding out the ensemble. Directed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with production undertaken by Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The mix of seasoned comedy performers and fresh faces points to Warner Bros has gathered a diverse team capable of providing the adult-oriented comedy the film intends to accomplish.
Dynamics Between Characters
The central idea centres on the contrasting character traits of the duo of animal protagonists. Pony, in spite of his diminutive stature, embodies a self-absorbed nature that propels much of the comedy, whilst Bear embodies the opposite temperament—a benevolent colossus who deliberately shuns disagreement. In combination, this disparate twosome sets out on a cross-country journey to find the homestead they formerly knew as their home, all whilst evading capture from the similarly unconventional police pair pursuing them.
- Pony: tiny animal with distinct self-centred behavioural patterns
- Bear: substantial non-confrontational animal companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: determined DEA investigator hunting the escaped creatures
- Dan Levy: Fish and Wildlife ranger assisting in pursuit
- Journey across the country searching for their former ranch home
Details of Production and Creative Staff
“Animal Friends” represents a collaborative effort between three major studios: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The screenplay was crafted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who constructed the narrative around the core concept of two fugitive animals on a desperate cross-country mission. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker recognised for his expertise in action and comedy styles, helms the project to realise the live action-animated hybrid concept to life with the required comic timing and stylistic flourish required for an adult-targeted road trip adventure.
The film’s production journey illustrates the intricacies of contemporary studio distribution models. Initially planned for distribution via Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” moved to Warner Bros following the conclusion of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution partnership with Sony. This shift required a full rescheduling, with the project cycling through multiple release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before ultimately landing on its January 2027 position, 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. |
The Future for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ schedule remains remarkably busy in spite of the postponement to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian actor has the action comedy “Mayday” scheduled for September 2026, maintaining him in the spotlight throughout the extended wait for the Warner Bros. release. Reynolds manages to juggle his film commitments with his multiple commercial interests, including his production company Maximum Effort, which is working on “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in both major studio films and smaller independent ventures showcases his position as one of the film industry’s highly coveted marquee actors.
Jason Momoa, in the meantime, has maintained an equally active slate of projects throughout 2026. The actor was featured in “The Wrecking Crew” in January and has two major films lined up for the latter half of the year: the highly anticipated “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the concluding chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling sci-fi epic. These high-profile commitments highlight Momoa’s sustained prominence in both action franchises and prestige filmmaking, establishing him as a major draw for audiences globally.
Upcoming Projects
- 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” wrapping up the epic saga in 2026
