Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa’s comedy just got delayed by 8 months

Another delay changes the plan

Movie delays can feel routine, but this one stands out because it keeps moving a comedy built around two major stars. Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa’s R-rated hybrid comedy, Animal Friends, has been delayed again.

The film was most recently set for June 5, 2026, but it is now scheduled to open on January 22, 2027. That shift moves the movie by roughly eight months and marks the latest change in a release plan that has already been revised several times.

The new date is January 2027

The current release date for Animal Friends is January 22, 2027. That makes it the latest landing spot for a film that has already been pushed from several earlier dates.

It was first set for August 15, 2025, then moved to October 10, 2025, later to May 1, 2026, and then to June 5, 2026. The film is now scheduled for a winter 2027 release, though release plans can still change.

Why the studio moved it again

The latest delay came down to scheduling around the people needed to help promote the movie. The cast will be more available to do press during the new early 2027 release window.

That explanation gives the move a practical reason rather than pointing solely to production trouble. With a cast this recognizable, making time for promotion matters, especially for a theatrical comedy that may depend on strong visibility before and during release.

What the movie is about

Animal Friends is described as a live-action and animation hybrid with an R-rated comedy tone. The story follows two animal fugitives as they travel across America to find the ranch that was once their home.

Along the way, the journey helps repair their friendship while they are being chased by an odd-couple DEA agent and a Fish and Wildlife ranger. The setup mixes a road trip, a chase story, and a buddy dynamic in one film.

Reynolds and Momoa lead the cast

The movie is built around Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa, two stars with very different screen personas. That pairing is one of the main reasons the project has drawn attention since its announcement.

The cast also includes Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Vince Vaughn, Addison Rae, Eric André, Lil Rel Howery, Ellie Bamber, Joaquim De Almeida, and Rob Delaney. With that lineup, the film arrives as a star-driven comedy with a mix of well-known names from movies, TV, and streaming projects.

Fun fact: Ryan Reynolds once failed his high school drama class, which makes his rise to Hollywood stardom an even more surprising full-circle story.

The project has been moving awhile

Animal Friends was officially announced in April 2023. It entered production in June 2023 and wrapped on April 17, 2024. Even after filming finished, the movie kept going through release changes and other shakeups.

That long path from announcement to release helps explain why the newest date matters so much, because the film has already spent years working its way toward theaters.

One major switch happened offscreen

The movie did not just change dates. It also changed distributors after production was already underway. It was originally set up for release through Sony under Columbia Pictures.

That changed in late 2024 when distribution shifted to Warner Bros. after Legendary and Sony ended their distribution arrangement. That behind-the-scenes shift became one of the biggest turning points in the film’s release journey.

January could help it stand out

Moving out of summer may actually help the movie find more theater space. January has increasingly become a useful slot for counter-programming, especially for comedies that may not stand out as easily in a crowded blockbuster season.

By leaving June behind, Animal Friends avoids a busier early-summer corridor, including Masters of the Universe on June 5, 2026. The new date may give it a clearer runway with fewer major studio titles competing for the same audience.

The January field looks lighter

The new date also places Animal Friends in a less crowded spot on the calendar. It currently appears to have a lighter January 22, 2027 slot than a crowded summer frame, though release calendars can still shift. Other movies set for that date include The Third Parent and Air Bud Returns.

That means the comedy may arrive with a different kind of theatrical lane, one that could make it easier to attract viewers looking for something lighter and more offbeat at the start of the year.

Little-known fact: Ryan Reynolds has played four comic book characters across different films, including Deadpool, Green Lantern, Hannibal King, and Nick Walker from R.I.P.D.

Extra time may help the final look

The delay could also be useful, given how the movie is made. Hybrid films that combine live-action performances with animated characters often need extensive visual effects work in post-production.

Giving the team more time may help the finished movie better meet audience expectations. That matters even more for an R-rated comedy that is likely to lean on visual gags as well as character-driven humor throughout.

The creative team behind it

Peter Atencio directed Animal Friends from a script by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider. The production team includes Legendary, Reynolds’ Maximum Effort, and Prime Focus Studios.

Those names show that the movie is not just built around its cast, but also around experienced companies and creatives. With a hybrid format and a theatrical release plan, that production setup plays a major role in shaping how ambitious the project appears.

Reynolds has a crowded schedule

The timing may also work better, as Ryan Reynolds is still tied to several projects. He is coming off Deadpool & Wolverine and is also involved in multiple productions through his Maximum Effort banner.

He is also set to star in Mayday, which premieres on Apple TV+ on September 4, 2026, opposite Kenneth Branagh. At the same time, questions continue around his future as Deadpool, though no new solo film has been officially greenlit.

Want the sweeter side of their partnership, too? Check out Blake Lively calls Ryan Reynolds her trusted partner in business and life.

Momoa adds even more attention

Jason Momoa brings another major draw to the film, even as his own schedule is also packed. He is set to star in Dune: Part Three, scheduled for release on December 18, 2026.

That means Animal Friends now lands just over a month after that date, giving both leads a busy stretch around the turn of the year. Even with repeated delays, the movie still stands out for its unusual premise, hybrid format, and high-profile comedic pairing.

Curious where that new Ryan Reynolds link-up fits into the conversation? See why Matthew Lillard stars in an ad with Ryan Reynolds after Tarantino’s comment sparks buzz.

Do you think the delay will help this movie stand out more, or just test fans’ patience? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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