Warner Bros has postponed the release of Animal Friends, its live-action animated hybrid comedy, from June 5 to January 22, 2027. The film, helmed by Peter Atencio, stars Ryan Reynolds as the voice of 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 Fish and Wildlife ranger, Addison Rae, Lil Rey Howery and Ellie Bamber. This marks the most recent in a series of schedule changes for the project, which has been rescheduled multiple times since initially scheduled for August 2025 through Columbia Pictures.
Launch Date Shuffle and Studio Shifts
Animal Friends has undergone a significant path through Warner Bros’ distribution schedule, having been shifted multiple times since its initial announcement. The film was initially scheduled for August 15, 2025, when it was set to release through Columbia Pictures under Legendary’s distribution agreement with Sony. However, following the termination of that deal, the project moved to Warner Bros., which then shifted it several times throughout 2025 and 2026, reflecting the studio’s ongoing efforts to identify the optimal release date for the comedy hybrid.
The January 2027 date now marks the fifth confirmed release window for the project, demonstrating the complexities of managing major studio releases and navigating competitive 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 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 potentially capitalizing on post-holiday cinema attendance patterns.
- Originally scheduled for 15 August 2025 through Columbia Pictures
- Moved to Warner Bros following end of Legendary-Sony distribution deal
- Previously rescheduled for 10 October, May 1, and June 5
- Currently scheduled for 22 January 2027 cinema release date
The Tale and Star-Filled Cast
Animal Friends assembles an strong lineup of seasoned actors and rising talent for this live action-animated hybrid film. Ryan Reynolds voices Pony, the title character who is small yet self-absorbed animal character, whilst Jason Momoa voices Bear, his larger and substantially more conflict-avoiding counterpart. The supporting cast includes award-winning actress Aubrey Plaza as a determined DEA agent pursuing the escaped pair, with Dan Levy playing a Fish and Wildlife ranger equally invested in their arrest.
The project bolsters its cast credentials with the addition 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. Helmed by Peter Atencio, the screenplay was written 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 suggests Warner Bros has brought together a diverse team capable of delivering the adult-oriented comedy the film seeks to deliver.
Character Interactions
The central concept hinges on the opposing personalities of the animal pair of leads. Pony, despite his small size, represents a self-centred narcissism that drives much of the comedic elements, whilst Bear represents the opposite temperament—a gentle giant who actively avoids conflict. Together, this unlikely duo sets out on a long-distance expedition to discover the ranch they previously called home, all whilst eluding apprehension from the equally eccentric police pair pursuing them.
- Pony: tiny animal with distinct self-centred behavioural patterns
- Bear: big conflict-averse creature companion to Pony
- Aubrey Plaza: determined DEA agent pursuing the wanted animals
- Dan Levy: Fish and Wildlife warden assisting in the hunt
- Journey across the country seeking their former ranch home
Details of Production and Creative Team
“Animal Friends” represents a joint venture between three leading 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 work in action and comedy styles, directs the film to bring the live action-animated hybrid vision to life with the necessary comedic timing and stylistic flourish needed for an adult-targeted road trip adventure.
The film’s development process reflects the complexities of contemporary studio distribution models. Originally scheduled for distribution via Columbia Pictures in August 2025, “Animal Friends” moved to Warner Bros after the conclusion of Legendary Entertainment’s distribution deal with Sony. This change necessitated a full rescheduling, with the film moving through several release dates—October 2025, May 2026, and June 2026—before ultimately landing on its January 2027 slot, demonstrating 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’ schedule stays remarkably occupied despite the delay to “Animal Friends.” The Canadian actor has the comedic action film “Mayday” lined up for September 2026, maintaining him in the public eye throughout the prolonged anticipation for the Warner Bros. film. Reynolds manages to juggle his movie obligations 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 showcases his standing as one of the film industry’s most sought-after leading men.
Jason Momoa, on the other hand, has maintained an equally active 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 much-awaited “Street Fighter” adaptation and “Dune: Part Three,” the ultimate chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s grand science fiction series. These high-profile commitments showcase Momoa’s sustained prominence in both action franchises and high-calibre filmmaking, cementing his status as a major attraction for audiences globally.
Forthcoming Initiatives
- Reynolds: “Mayday” comedic action film coming September 2026
- Momoa: “The Wrecking Crew” debuting January 2026
- Momoa: “Street Fighter” film adaptation releasing later in 2026
- Momoa: “Dune: Part Three” concluding the sprawling epic in 2026
