Ray Gunn trailer: limited theatrical release on 4 December 2026 and Netflix on 18 December 2026

The film gets a limited theatrical release on 4 December 2026 and then arrives on Netflix on 18 December 2026. In its promo text, Netflix names Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits among the cast.

According to the official synopsis, the story takes place in Metropia, a giant city in an alternate future as imagined in 1939. There, private detective Raymond Gunn gets pulled into a case involving aliens, murder and multimedia star Venus Nova.

What happened

Netflix shared the debut trailer for Ray Gunn, confirming the release dates at the same time. In the trailer and accompanying promo copy, the film is presented as a new animated feature from Brad Bird, who previously directed The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Netflix’s post explicitly ties the movie to those two titles and lists the two release dates: 4 December 2026 in select theaters and 18 December 2026 on Netflix.

According to the synopsis, Ray Gunn is set in Metropia, a massive city in an alternate future as seen from 1939. The story follows private detective Raymond Gunn, who becomes involved in a case centered on aliens, murder and multimedia star Venus Nova. Brad Bird himself has also highlighted the mix of noir and science fiction, saying the idea has been with him for more than 30 years and describing the tone as “Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers.”

Netflix says the film will first play in select theaters on 4 December 2026. Two weeks later, on 18 December 2026, it will stream on Netflix. The promo mentions Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits as cast members. The information provided does not make clear whether this is the full cast, but these are the three names Netflix highlighted.

Background

The available synopsis positions Ray Gunn as a retro-futuristic noir with science-fiction elements. The combination of a private detective, a sprawling city and a case involving aliens and murder fits the description provided by Netflix and the source material. The setting in Metropia and the reference to a future imagined from 1939 clearly place the film in an alternate timeline, while the name Venus Nova suggests a central role for a public figure or star in the story.

The source identifies Raymond Gunn as the private detective at the center of the plot. That grounds the film in classic detective storytelling, while the aliens and multimedia-star angle add a sci-fi layer. Brad Bird sums up that blend with his comparison “Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers,” pointing to both the detective influence and the futuristic edge.

Netflix’s promo names three cast members, but the provided information does not say whether this is the full cast. It is also unclear how wide the theatrical rollout will be beyond the fact that it is a limited or select theaters release. What is confirmed is that the film will debut in cinemas first and then move to the streaming platform, making this a two-step release.

The timing is also notable within Brad Bird’s filmography. Incredibles 2 came out in 2018, making Ray Gunn his first feature as director in eight years. The source also notes that Bird previously directed The Incredibles and Ratatouille, placing the film alongside his best-known animated work.