The Apex Times
Above the Noise
Culture Wire
CultureYMU Signs Hip-Hop Artist Krept, Former ‘Rap Game UK’ Host, for UK RepresentationThe Apex TimesCultureBarry Ward discusses work on “Everybody Digs Bill Evans,” “The Flying Mountain” and Netflix’s “Grown Ups” at Karlovy VaryThe Apex TimesCultureSam Neill’s Agent Says the Actor Died of Pneumonia, Citing “Outright Falsehoods” in Media ReportsThe Apex TimesCultureNew York Post review says Will Ferrell’s Netflix golf comedy series “The Hawk” misses the markThe Apex TimesCultureHal Williams, Actor Known for ‘Sanford and Son’ Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith, Dies at 91The Apex TimesCultureCalifornia antitrust case targeting Paramount-Skydance merger reassigned to new judge, hearing on temporary restraining order still scheduledThe Apex TimesCultureMatt Reeves posts first look at Robert Pattinson in “The Batman Part II” as sequel shifts to 2028The Apex TimesCultureCollin Gosselin to Return to Reality TV Ahead of Memoir Focused on Mom Kate, Reports SayThe Apex TimesCultureDaniel Umemezie named 2026-2027 National Youth Poet Laureate, using poetry to connect communitiesThe Apex TimesCultureJimmy Tatro joins DC’s Jimmy Olsen “Superman” spinoff as Gorilla Grodd, HBO Max series not yet greenlitThe Apex TimesCultureNetflix’s Vegas drama ‘The Roman’ adds Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown, Thomas Sadoski and Jason SchwartzmanThe Apex TimesCultureBad Bunny asks court to overturn ruling advancing reggaeton copyright case toward jury trialThe Apex TimesCultureYMU Signs Hip-Hop Artist Krept, Former ‘Rap Game UK’ Host, for UK RepresentationThe Apex TimesCultureBarry Ward discusses work on “Everybody Digs Bill Evans,” “The Flying Mountain” and Netflix’s “Grown Ups” at Karlovy VaryThe Apex TimesCultureSam Neill’s Agent Says the Actor Died of Pneumonia, Citing “Outright Falsehoods” in Media ReportsThe Apex TimesCultureNew York Post review says Will Ferrell’s Netflix golf comedy series “The Hawk” misses the markThe Apex TimesCultureHal Williams, Actor Known for ‘Sanford and Son’ Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith, Dies at 91The Apex TimesCultureCalifornia antitrust case targeting Paramount-Skydance merger reassigned to new judge, hearing on temporary restraining order still scheduledThe Apex TimesCultureMatt Reeves posts first look at Robert Pattinson in “The Batman Part II” as sequel shifts to 2028The Apex TimesCultureCollin Gosselin to Return to Reality TV Ahead of Memoir Focused on Mom Kate, Reports SayThe Apex TimesCultureDaniel Umemezie named 2026-2027 National Youth Poet Laureate, using poetry to connect communitiesThe Apex TimesCultureJimmy Tatro joins DC’s Jimmy Olsen “Superman” spinoff as Gorilla Grodd, HBO Max series not yet greenlitThe Apex TimesCultureNetflix’s Vegas drama ‘The Roman’ adds Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown, Thomas Sadoski and Jason SchwartzmanThe Apex TimesCultureBad Bunny asks court to overturn ruling advancing reggaeton copyright case toward jury trialThe Apex TimesCultureYMU Signs Hip-Hop Artist Krept, Former ‘Rap Game UK’ Host, for UK RepresentationThe Apex TimesCultureBarry Ward discusses work on “Everybody Digs Bill Evans,” “The Flying Mountain” and Netflix’s “Grown Ups” at Karlovy VaryThe Apex TimesCultureSam Neill’s Agent Says the Actor Died of Pneumonia, Citing “Outright Falsehoods” in Media ReportsThe Apex TimesCultureNew York Post review says Will Ferrell’s Netflix golf comedy series “The Hawk” misses the markThe Apex TimesCultureHal Williams, Actor Known for ‘Sanford and Son’ Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith, Dies at 91The Apex TimesCultureCalifornia antitrust case targeting Paramount-Skydance merger reassigned to new judge, hearing on temporary restraining order still scheduledThe Apex TimesCultureMatt Reeves posts first look at Robert Pattinson in “The Batman Part II” as sequel shifts to 2028The Apex TimesCultureCollin Gosselin to Return to Reality TV Ahead of Memoir Focused on Mom Kate, Reports SayThe Apex TimesCultureDaniel Umemezie named 2026-2027 National Youth Poet Laureate, using poetry to connect communitiesThe Apex TimesCultureJimmy Tatro joins DC’s Jimmy Olsen “Superman” spinoff as Gorilla Grodd, HBO Max series not yet greenlitThe Apex TimesCultureNetflix’s Vegas drama ‘The Roman’ adds Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown, Thomas Sadoski and Jason SchwartzmanThe Apex TimesCultureBad Bunny asks court to overturn ruling advancing reggaeton copyright case toward jury trialThe Apex TimesCultureYMU Signs Hip-Hop Artist Krept, Former ‘Rap Game UK’ Host, for UK RepresentationThe Apex TimesCultureBarry Ward discusses work on “Everybody Digs Bill Evans,” “The Flying Mountain” and Netflix’s “Grown Ups” at Karlovy VaryThe Apex TimesCultureSam Neill’s Agent Says the Actor Died of Pneumonia, Citing “Outright Falsehoods” in Media ReportsThe Apex TimesCultureNew York Post review says Will Ferrell’s Netflix golf comedy series “The Hawk” misses the markThe Apex TimesCultureHal Williams, Actor Known for ‘Sanford and Son’ Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith, Dies at 91The Apex TimesCultureCalifornia antitrust case targeting Paramount-Skydance merger reassigned to new judge, hearing on temporary restraining order still scheduledThe Apex TimesCultureMatt Reeves posts first look at Robert Pattinson in “The Batman Part II” as sequel shifts to 2028The Apex TimesCultureCollin Gosselin to Return to Reality TV Ahead of Memoir Focused on Mom Kate, Reports SayThe Apex TimesCultureDaniel Umemezie named 2026-2027 National Youth Poet Laureate, using poetry to connect communitiesThe Apex TimesCultureJimmy Tatro joins DC’s Jimmy Olsen “Superman” spinoff as Gorilla Grodd, HBO Max series not yet greenlitThe Apex TimesCultureNetflix’s Vegas drama ‘The Roman’ adds Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown, Thomas Sadoski and Jason SchwartzmanThe Apex TimesCultureBad Bunny asks court to overturn ruling advancing reggaeton copyright case toward jury trialThe Apex Times
Back to front
Netflix sets Dec. 18, 2026 release date for Brad Bird’s animated ‘Ray Gunn,’ unveils new images at Annecy
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Jun 24, 9:15 AM EDT

Netflix sets Dec. 18, 2026 release date for Brad Bird’s animated ‘Ray Gunn,’ unveils new images at Annecy

The streaming service announced the premiere date during its “Next on Netflix” presentation at the Annecy International Film Festival, with voice casting that includes Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson, among others.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Netflix has set a December 18, 2026 release date for Brad Bird’s animated feature Ray Gunn, and revealed new production images for characters voiced by Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson during its “Next on Netflix” presentation at the Annecy International Film Festival. The announcement was made on Wednesday as part of Netflix’s packed session at the festival, where the company publicly unveiled the premiere timing for the film. The release date places Ray Gunn for a mid-December window on the platform, aligning it with the year-end period when streaming audiences typically expect major new titles. Bird, known for helming animated films, is credited as the director of Ray Gunn. The film’s story is set in Metropia, described as a gigantic city, according to Netflix’s festival remarks as reported by Deadline. The setting frames the premise of the animated world and is part of what the company highlighted alongside the first look images. Netflix also confirmed voice cast details tied to its newly shown images. Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson are among the performers attached to the project, with Deadline reporting that Johansson voices the film’s protagonist. Tom Waits is also listed in the voice cast. In addition to the announced date and casting, the festival presentation included the release of new visuals for the film, which Deadline characterizes as additional images tied to the Rockwell and Johansson-voiced lead roles. Those images were displayed as part of Netflix’s strategy at Annecy to preview upcoming releases for international audiences and industry attendees. The “Next on Netflix” event at Annecy functions as a high-visibility platform for Netflix announcements during the festival period, drawing attention from filmmakers, press, and distributors who watch the streaming service’s releases and marketing timelines. For Ray Gunn, that means the first widely shared schedule confirmation for audiences and partners arrives well ahead of the December premiere window. With the release date now set, Netflix’s next steps will be to continue building awareness through additional marketing materials and festival or media appearances leading up to the December 18, 2026 launch. The company’s timeline also sets expectations for how quickly the film’s cast, creative credits, and distribution approach will be further communicated as Annecy’s coverage cycle continues.

Why It Matters

  • The December 18, 2026 release date gives audiences and industry partners a concrete mid-year calendar anchor for a major animated title on a global streaming platform.
  • Announcing the premiere at a major international festival like Annecy supports Netflix’s ability to reach press and creators during a condensed window of entertainment industry attention.
  • The presentation further clarifies Netflix’s expanding lineup of original animated projects under high-profile creators and widely recognized voice talent.
  • By highlighting Metropia and lead characters through newly released images, Netflix is setting marketing expectations well before the end-of-year release period.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Netflix announced Ray Gunn will be released on December 18, 2026.
  • The date was unveiled during Netflix’s “Next on Netflix” session at the Annecy International Film Festival on Wednesday.
  • Brad Bird is directing the animated film Ray Gunn.
  • The film is set in Metropia, described as a gigantic city.
  • Voice cast includes Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson, with Johansson voicing the protagonist.
  • Tom Waits is also listed in the film’s voice cast.
  • New images for the Rockwell- and Johansson-voiced protagonists were shown at Annecy.
Netflix sets Dec. 18, 2026 release date for Brad Bird’s animated ‘Ray Gunn,’ unveils new images at Annecy | The Apex Times