'Animal Friends' starring Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa delayed again for an understandable reason
'Animal Friends' starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa has faced another delay by Warner Bros. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it will now hit the big screens on January 22, 2027. The hybrid live-action adaptation has been pushed back multiple times. In the past, it was believed to arrive in theaters on October 10, 2025, but the release was later delayed to May 1, 2026, and now to 2027. Alongside the two superhero movie alums, the cast includes Dan Levy, Addison Rae, Aubrey Plaza, Ellie Bamber, and Lil Rel Howery. Previously, the movie was being developed by Sony. However, in 2024, the project shifted to Warner Bros. due to a deal with Legendary.
As per Deadline, the release date has been shifted because more of its stellar cast will be available for promotions in the updated time period. Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider are credited as writers for the movie, while it is being directed by Peter Atencio. Warner Bros. had already reserved January 22, 2027, as its release date. 'Animal Friends' is currently the only big studio feature to release on that day. It will compete with Bleecker Street’s 'The Third Parent' and Cineverse’s 'Air Bud Returns.' The movie's logline suggests that it will follow two fugitive animals on a trip across America, in pursuit of the ranch that was once their home. Through it all, they will be followed by a DEA agent and a Fish and Wildlife ranger, due to a mysterious reason. The movie will be R-rated.
The movie's filming was finished in early 2024, according to Comic Book Resources. After Warner Bros. stepped in and Sony dropped its distribution rights, the movie faced its first delay from August 15, 2025, to October 10, 2025. It happened because the movie needed some major changes. Along with cast availability, the 2027 release date also ensures the movie will not go against any big releases. Legendary, Prime Focus Studios, and Maximum Effort are backing the movie alongside Warner Bros. As per Cinema Express, Momoa and Reynolds will play the pair of fugitive animals, Plaza is set to portray the DEA agent, while Levy will play the Fish and Wildlife ranger. Howery would reportedly provide the voiceover of a bird.
Reynolds’ last big screen release was in 2024 as Deadpool in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’ Momoa’s last appearance on the big screen was in ‘The Wrecking Crew.’ Reynolds does not have any big-screen releases lined up in the immediate future. He will appear in ‘Mayday,’ but it will release exclusively on Apple TV+. Momoa is awaiting the release of ‘Street Fighter’ and ‘Dune: Part Three’ in 2026.
