Warner Bros has postponed 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 embarking on a nationwide road trip adventure. The supporting cast includes Aubrey Plaza as a federal agent, Dan Levy as a Fish and Wildlife ranger, Addison Rae, Lil Rey Howery and Ellie Bamber. This marks the latest in a string of schedule changes for the project, which has been moved around multiple times since initially scheduled for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Release Date Changes and Studio Shifts
Animal Friends has experienced a remarkable journey through Warner Bros’ distribution schedule, having been moved several times since its initial announcement. The film was initially 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 later adjusted it several times throughout 2025 and 2026, demonstrating the studio’s persistent efforts to find the optimal theatrical window for the hybrid comedy.
The January 2027 date now constitutes the fifth verified release window 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 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-festive cinema attendance patterns.
- Originally scheduled for 15 August 2025 through Columbia Pictures
- Moved to Warner Bros after end of Legendary-Sony distribution agreement
- Previously rescheduled for October 10, 1 May, and June 5
- Now set for 22 January 2027 theatrical release date
The Story and Celebrity-Laden Cast
Animal Friends combines an impressive ensemble of seasoned actors and emerging stars for this live-action and animated adventure. Ryan Reynolds lends his voice Pony, the main small and egocentric creature lead, whilst Jason Momoa lends his voice Bear, his larger and substantially more conflict-avoiding companion. The supporting cast includes award-winning actress Aubrey Plaza as a committed federal agent chasing the wanted pair, alongside Dan Levy playing a Fish and Wildlife ranger equally invested in their arrest.
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 undertaken by Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The combination of established comedic talent and fresh faces points to Warner Bros has brought together a diverse team equipped to delivering the adult-targeted humour the film seeks to deliver.
Character Dynamics
The core concept hinges on the opposing personalities of the duo of animal leads. Pony, in spite of his tiny frame, exemplifies a narcissistic self-absorption that propels much of the humour, whilst Bear exemplifies the contrasting disposition—a gentle giant who deliberately shuns disagreement. As a pair, this disparate twosome sets out on a long-distance expedition to find the property they formerly knew as their home, all whilst avoiding apprehension from the similarly unconventional enforcement officers pursuing them.
- Pony: diminutive animal with distinct self-centred behavioural patterns
- Bear: big peace-loving animal companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: determined DEA officer hunting the wanted animals
- Dan Levy: Wildlife and Fisheries warden aiding in pursuit
- Cross-country trek searching for their previous ranch residence
Production Information and Creative Team
“The Animal Friends Project” constitutes a collaborative effort between three leading studios: Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios. The screenplay was developed by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who created the story around the core concept of a pair of escaped creatures on a desperate cross-country mission. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker known for his work in comedy and action genres, helms the film to realise the hybrid live-action animated vision to fruition with the necessary comedic timing and stylistic flourish needed for an adult-targeted road trip adventure.
The film’s development process illustrates the complexities of modern studio distribution arrangements. Originally scheduled for distribution via Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” transitioned to Warner Bros after the end of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution deal with Sony. This shift necessitated a full rescheduling, with the film cycling through multiple release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before finally settling on its January 2027 position, 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’s Next for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ timetable remains remarkably busy despite the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian actor has the comedic action film “Mayday” scheduled for September 2026, keeping him in the spotlight during the extended anticipation for the Warner Bros. release. Reynolds continues to balance his film commitments with his multiple commercial interests, such as his production company Maximum Effort, which is working on “Animal Friends” itself. His participation in both major studio films and smaller independent ventures demonstrates his standing as one of the film industry’s highly coveted marquee actors.
Jason Momoa, in the meantime, 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 latter half of the year: the eagerly awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the final instalment of Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling sci-fi epic. These major undertakings highlight Momoa’s ongoing prominence in both action-driven franchises and prestige filmmaking, cementing his status as a major attraction for audiences worldwide.
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 sprawling epic in 2026
