Hot off the presses, Netflix has just announced its plans to return to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2026 with a genre-spanning line-up of films and series featuring visionary filmmakers, as well as up-and-coming talent. This follows an unprecedented year for Netflix Animation, with the triumphant KPop Demon Hunters taking home a history-making two Oscars*, 13 Annie Awards wins including three for Love, Death + Robots, and Ultraman: Rising nabbing the Children and Family Emmys for Outstanding Animated Special and Sound Mixing & Sound Editing for an Animated Program.
The streamer isn’t short of exciting new projects to show off and began teasing potential announcements with a slew of new artwork starting with a very stylish piece of concept art for Brad Bird’s recently announced Ray Gunn.
The film is set in Metropia, a gigantic city in an alternate future as seen from 1939, private eye Raymond Gunn is drawn into a case involving aliens, murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova. It stars Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits with a planned 2026 release date yet to be announced.
We’ve also got our first look at Ricky Gervais’ Alley Cats, an animated sitcom which follows the trials and tribulations of a group of feral British cats from all walks of society, who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life. From the funny to the absurd, the series is packed with Gervais’ signature style of heart and social commentary that audiences have come to expect.
Gervais will star in the series alongside Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, Diane Morgan, and also featuring Natalie Cassidy and Tony Way.
One of the jewels in the upcoming Netflix Animation slate is Charlie vs. The Chocolate Factory from directors Jared Stern & Elaine Bogan. The film isn’t set to release until 2027 but already looks set to be a stunning interpretation of the classic Roald Dahl tale.
Willy Wonka (Taika Waititi) has spent the years since the Golden Ticket contest behind bars (not the chocolate kind) for the crime of turning a child into a blueberry. Having served his time, Wonka returns to his factory determined to add a little sweetness to a bitter world. But one thing stands in his way: teenager Charlie Paley (Kit Connor) and his friends. Facing eviction, this next generation of “rotten” kids plot to break into the factory, nab a priceless Wonka Bar, and save their homes. But like many before them who enter the fantastical world of the factory, these kids are in for a bit more than they can chew…
The streamer is also planning to share the first details on its brand new Ghostbusters animated series, now confirmed to premiere in 2027. Hailing from Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation, the high end animated series based on the beloved Ghostbusters IP will be executive produced by Ben Hibon, Elliott Kalan, Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan, Amie Karp, and Dan Aykroyd.
Scroll on down for a full breakdown of the streamer’s Annecy activities:
- Steps Work-in-Progress session at Salle Pierre Lamy on Tuesday, 23 June with directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, art director Dan Casey, and head of character animation Jason Figliozzi, who will share their creative insights on the re-imagining of the classic Cinderella tale, told from the perspective of one of the so-called “evil” step-sisters.
- Also on Tuesday, Netflix will host a dedicated Anime Studio Focus titled “Netflix Anime: Bold Stories, Boundless Worlds” at la Salle de la Volière. As the home for anime with more than 150 million Netflix members around the world choosing to watch it, this session is set to be a must-see showcase of the very best of anime for every taste and mood, whether you’re a hard-core fan, casual viewer or a beginner to the medium. Buckle up for an in-depth look at the upcoming slate led by THE ONE PIECE, Sparks of Tomorrow, THE RIBBON HERO; as well as anime-inspired series Blue Eye Samurai’s season 2 and Bass X Machina.
- Next on Netflix Animation: from Ghostbusters to Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn returns to Théâtre Bonlieu on Wednesday, 24 June. Executive producers Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan, and showrunners/Executive Producers Ben Hibon and Elliott Kalan will unveil a world exclusive preview of next year’s Ghostbusters series produced in partnership with Sony Pictures Animation. And visionary director Brad Bird will take to the stage and provide a very personal insight into his animated feature Ray Gunn, his 30+ year in the making passion project produced at Skydance Animation; this conversation will be moderated by stop-motion legend, Peter Lord, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Aardman who are also celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Additionally, the session will feature glimpses at THE ONE PIECE series and the Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory animated film.
- A masterclass with multi-award-winning comedy genius Ricky Gervais at Théâtre Bonlieu follows on Thursday, 25 June. Ricky serves as creator and director on his upcoming adult comedy series Alley Cats and will participate in a moderated conversation. Audiences will also get an early look at two episodes ahead of its debut on Netflix on Friday, 7 August.
- THE RIBBON HERO will have its world premiere as part of the festival’s Annecy Presents programming.
- To celebrate the first anniversary since KPop Demon Hunters became a global and cultural phenomenon, there will be an outdoor sing-along screening on Wednesday, 24 June by Lake Annecy.
- And finally, Sparks of Tomorrow (Episode 1), Long Story Short (Episode – “Shira Can’t Cook”) and Love, Death + Robots (Episode – “How Zeke Got Religion”) will compete in Annecy’s Official TV Films Competition.
