Warner Bros has postponed the release of Animal Friends, its animated live-action 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 cross-country road trip adventure. The ensemble 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 string of schedule changes for the project, which has been rescheduled multiple times since initially scheduled for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Release Date Changes and Studio Changes
Animal Friends has gone through a remarkable journey through Warner Bros’ release schedule, after being rescheduled several 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 partnership with Sony. However, following the conclusion of that partnership, the project transitioned to Warner Bros., which then shifted it multiple times throughout 2025 and 2026, showing the studio’s ongoing efforts to locate the best release window for the blended comedy.
The January 2027 date now marks the fifth confirmed release slot for the project, demonstrating the intricacies of managing major studio releases and managing intense marketplace dynamics. By vacating the June 5 slot, Warner Bros has cleared space for other prominent releases, including Amazon and MGM’s Masters of the Universe, Lionsgate’s Power Ballad starring Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd, and Paramount and Miramax’s Scary Movie reboot. The revised January positioning allows Animal Friends to avoid direct competition with these titles whilst possibly capitalizing on post-festive cinema attendance patterns.
- Originally scheduled for August 15, 2025 via Columbia Pictures
- Transferred to Warner Bros following conclusion of Legendary-Sony distribution agreement
- Previously rescheduled for October 10, 1 May, and 5 June
- Now set for 22 January 2027 cinema release date
The Narrative and Celebrity-Laden Cast
Animal Friends brings together an strong lineup of seasoned actors and rising talent for this mixed live-action and animated adventure. Ryan Reynolds lends his voice Pony, the title character who is small yet self-absorbed creature lead, whilst Jason Momoa provides the vocal performance Bear, his larger and substantially more conflict-avoiding companion. The ensemble comprises award-winning actress Aubrey Plaza as a committed federal agent pursuing the fugitive duo, joined by Dan Levy taking on the role of a Fish and Wildlife ranger equally invested in their apprehension.
The project further strengthens its cast credentials with the presence of social media personality and actress Addison Rae, comedian Lil Rey Howery voicing a bird character, and British actress Ellie Bamber rounding off the ensemble. Directed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was written 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 indicates Warner Bros has gathered a diverse team able to delivering the adult-targeted humour the film seeks to deliver.
Character Dynamics
The central idea hinges on the contrasting character traits of the animal pair of protagonists. Pony, in spite of his diminutive stature, exemplifies a self-absorbed nature that drives much of the comedic elements, whilst Bear represents the contrasting disposition—a kindly behemoth who actively avoids disagreement. Together, this disparate twosome sets out on a cross-country journey to find the ranch they formerly knew as their home, all whilst evading apprehension from the equally eccentric law enforcement duo chasing them.
- Pony: small animal with pronounced self-centred behavioural patterns
- Bear: substantial peace-loving animal companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: resolute DEA investigator hunting the fugitive animals
- Dan Levy: Fish and Wildlife ranger assisting in the hunt
- Cross-country adventure attempting to locate their former ranch home
Production Details and Production Team
“The Animal Friends Project” constitutes 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 story around the central premise of two fugitive animals on a desperate cross-country mission. Peter Atencio, an seasoned filmmaker recognised for his work in action and comedy genres, helms the project to bring the live action-animated hybrid vision to life with the necessary comedic timing and stylistic flourish required for an adult-oriented cross-country adventure.
The film’s development process illustrates the intricacies of contemporary studio distribution models. Initially planned for release through Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” moved to Warner Bros after the end of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution partnership with Sony. This shift required a complete reschedule, with the film moving through several 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. |
The Future for Reynolds and Momoa
Ryan Reynolds’ agenda remains remarkably busy despite the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian performer has the comedic action film “Mayday” scheduled for September 2026, keeping him in the public eye throughout the extended wait for the Warner Bros. release. Reynolds manages to juggle his film commitments with his various commercial interests, including his film production outfit Maximum Effort, which is working on “Animal Friends” itself. His involvement in both demonstrates his position as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men.
Jason Momoa, on the other hand, has kept up an equally busy slate of projects throughout 2026. The actor was featured in “The Wrecking Crew” in January and has two major films lined up for the remainder of 2026: the eagerly awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the concluding chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling sci-fi epic. These prominent projects showcase Momoa’s ongoing prominence in both action franchises and prestige cinema, positioning him as a major attraction for audiences globally.
Upcoming Projects
- Reynolds: “Mayday” action comedy coming September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” debuting January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” film adaptation releasing later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” wrapping up the sprawling epic in 2026
