Netflix used the spotlight of the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival to unveil an expansive animation slate stretching into 2027, offering first looks at several high-profile projects while confirming release dates for some of its most anticipated films and series.
Leading the announcements was Academy Award-winning filmmaker Brad Bird, who presented new footage and images from Ray Gunn, a sci-fi noir feature decades in the making.
Scheduled to premiere globally on December 18, 2026, the Skydance Animation film follows private detective Raymond Gunn as he navigates a futuristic metropolis tangled in murder, aliens and celebrity intrigue. The voice cast includes Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits.
Netflix also confirmed a February 2027 launch for The One Piece, WIT Studio’s new adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s iconic manga.
Rather than continuing the long-running television anime, the series returns to the East Blue saga, reintroducing Monkey D. Luffy’s earliest adventures through a modern visual approach. Annecy attendees were shown a new teaser and exclusive footage from the project.
Another major franchise entering Netflix’s animation lineup is Ghostbusters: Night Shift, a young adult animated series set for 2027.
Taking place in New York City in 1994, five years after the events of Ghostbusters II, the story follows a group of inexperienced young New Yorkers who find themselves confronting a fresh supernatural threat.
Executive producers Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Hibon, Elliott Kalan and Amie Karp revealed concept art and early footage during the festival presentation.
On the feature side, Netflix announced November 20, 2026 as the release date for Steps, a comedic reimagining of the Cinderella story that shifts the focus to the often-maligned stepsisters.
Featuring a voice cast led by Ali Wong, Amanda Seyfried, Stephanie Hsu, Nikki Glaser and Bette Midler, the film blends fantasy adventure with a revisionist fairy tale approach.
Also arriving later in the year is In Waves on December 11, 2026.
Based on AJ Dungo’s acclaimed graphic novel, the film tells the story of two teenagers whose romance is tested by a life-changing illness, with surfing and the ocean serving as emotional anchors throughout their journey.
Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu lead the voice cast.
Meanwhile, Ricky Gervais’ adult animated sitcom Alley Cats will debut on August 7, 2026. The series follows a group of feral British cats navigating friendship, survival and everyday absurdities through Gervais’ trademark mix of comedy and social observation.
The showcase underscored Netflix’s growing commitment to animation across genres and audiences. The streamer says more than 130 million members watch animated content on the platform every month, while anime titles generated over 1.5 billion views in 2025 alone.
The latest slate arrives on the heels of a banner year for Netflix Animation, marked by major awards recognition and several breakout successes.
(Image(s) credit: Courtesy of Sony, Netflix, Skydance animation)
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