Brad Bird Ready for Ray Gunn Movie Release

Netflix is gearing up to release its new animated detective film, Ray Gunn, but the burning question on everyone’s minds is whether it will hit theaters. Director Brad Bird is crossing his fingers for a theatrical release, despite current expectations that it will be streamed. In a recent interview with Polygon at the Annecy Animation Festival, Bird expressed his desire to see the movie on the big screen. He emphasized his preference for theatrical viewings and even mentioned his affiliation with the trade group Cinema United, which promotes the movie theater experience.

While Netflix occasionally sends films to theaters for awards consideration, recent hits like KPop Demon Hunters and the Stranger Things finale have enjoyed theatrical runs due to their massive popularity. Looking ahead, Netflix plans to release Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles of Narnia adaptation, The Magician’s Nephew, in theaters before bringing it to the streaming platform—a departure from its usual digital-first strategy.

If Ray Gunn doesn’t make it to theaters, Bird has a backup plan: do it yourself. He encourages audiences to seek out the biggest screen available, even if it means crashing your neighbor’s movie night. The goal is to capture the grand cinematic experience, even if it’s outside the traditional movie theater setting.

For those eagerly anticipating Ray Gunn, mark your calendars for December 18 when it’s scheduled to premiere on Netflix. Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who releases—all assured to keep you on top of your streaming entertainment game.