Before Your Kids Beg to Watch Ray Gunn: A Parent's Guide to Brad Bird's New Netflix Movie!

Netflix has released the first trailer for Ray Gunn, a new animated science-fiction mystery from Brad Bird, the filmmaker behind The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Iron Giant. The movie arrives in select theaters and on limited 70mm screens on December 4, 2026, followed by its Netflix streaming debut on December 18, 2026.

That combination of Brad Bird, a dazzling retro-futuristic city, and a detective story will immediately catch the attention of movie-loving families. Still, parents should not assume that “animated” automatically means “made for little kids.” Netflix’s own announcement describes Ray Gunn as a more grown-up animated noir involving murder, corruption, scandal, and a troubled celebrity. Here is what Los Angeles parents should know before adding it to the family watch list.

Ray Gunn Release Details at a Glance

• Title: Ray Gunn

• Limited theatrical release: December 4, 2026

• Streaming release: December 18, 2026

• Where to watch: Select theaters and limited 70mm screens first, then Netflix

• Director: Brad Bird

• Animation studio: Skydance Animation

• Main voice cast: Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits

• Genre: Animated science-fiction detective noir

• Official rating: Not yet listed in Netflix’s announcement as of September 23, 2026

• Best first step for parents: Watch the official Ray Gunn trailer before deciding whether it fits your child

Netflix has not yet posted a complete list of participating theaters or 70mm locations. Los Angeles families interested in the big-screen version should check the official Netflix Ray Gunn page closer to December 4 rather than relying on an unofficial theater list.

What Is Ray Gunn About?

Ray Gunn takes place in Metropia, an enormous city in an alternate future imagined through the design language of 1939. Humans and aliens share the city, flying cars move through the skyline, and towering Art Deco buildings promise a polished tomorrow. Underneath that bright surface is a shadowy world of crime, corruption, celebrity, and secrets.

Raymond Gunn, voiced by Sam Rockwell, is an old-fashioned private detective whose profession is becoming obsolete. Much of the investigative work in Metropia is now handled by tiny machines, but Ray and his one-eyed alien partner, Eye-Ra, still do things the hard way. Their next case pulls them into the orbit of Venus Nova, a famous multimedia star voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

The official story setup involves aliens, murder, and the dangerous people surrounding Venus. That makes the movie sound less like a traditional all-ages animated comedy and more like a mystery adventure aimed at older viewers who can follow a layered plot.

Brad Bird first developed the idea early in his career. In Netflix’s official trailer announcement, he describes the concept as a collision between classic detective cinema and pulpy space adventure. The result is a world that looks glamorous and optimistic from a distance but becomes darker as Ray begins investigating.

What the First Ray Gunn Trailer Reveals

The first trailer introduces Metropia as a place built around dramatic contrasts. The city is filled with soaring architecture, streamlined machines, neon light, and futuristic transportation, but the story moves through both glamorous spaces and a dangerous underworld.

Ray appears to be a detective out of step with his own time. He is surrounded by technology designed to replace the work he does, yet he remains stubbornly committed to traditional investigation. That gives the story a familiar parent-and-kid conversation starter: What happens when technology changes faster than people can adapt?

Venus Nova appears to be much more than a glamorous celebrity in trouble. Her public image, private relationships, and connection to the central mystery place her at the center of the plot. The trailer also points to action, peril, weapons, criminal activity, and noir-style humor.

The movie’s visual style may be the biggest draw. Metropia borrows the optimism and geometry of Art Deco while imagining the future from the perspective of the late 1930s. Instead of trying to predict tomorrow using today’s technology, the movie asks what people nearly a century ago might have dreamed the future would become.

For teens who enjoy animation, filmmaking, or design, that visual approach could make Ray Gunn especially interesting. Families can talk about how artists combine historical styles with science fiction to build a world that feels both old and new.

Who Is in the Ray Gunn Voice Cast?

Netflix’s cast announcement includes a deep lineup of recognizable performers:

• Sam Rockwell as private detective Raymond Gunn

• Scarlett Johansson as celebrity Venus Nova

• Tom Waits as Eye-Ra, Ray’s alien partner

• Alan Tudyk

• Matt Berry

• Bobby Cannavale

• Michael Chernus

• Kether Donohue

• Michelle Rodriguez

• Aasif Mandvi

• Matt Jones

• Kathryn Hunter

• John Ratzenberger

• Justin Peck

• Patton Oswalt

Netflix has not yet identified every supporting character in its public announcement, so families should be cautious about unofficial character lists circulating online.

Brad Bird directed the film and wrote the original story. The screenplay is credited to Bird and Matthew Robbins. The project was produced by John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Lisa Beroud, David Ellison, and Dana Goldberg for Skydance Animation.

Is Ray Gunn Appropriate for Kids?

The honest answer is that parents do not yet have enough official information to make a final decision for every child.

As of September 23, 2026, the official Netflix trailer article does not list an age rating. A trailer can show the tone of a movie, but it cannot reveal every instance of violence, language, frightening imagery, or mature humor. Parents should wait for the official rating and detailed content information before promising this as a movie for younger children.

What is already clear is that Ray Gunn is intentionally more grown-up than many mainstream animated movies. Netflix describes a story involving murder, corruption, scandal, a troubled superstar, and a dangerous underworld. The detective-noir genre often includes threats, weapons, moral ambiguity, and characters whose choices are not easily divided into “good” and “bad.”

That does not mean the film will be inappropriate for all kids. It means age, sensitivity, and attention span matter.

Younger children

The colorful city and animated characters may attract younger viewers, but the mystery, noir mood, and darker story elements could be confusing or intense. Parents of sensitive children should be especially careful about assuming the movie will feel like The Incredibles simply because Brad Bird directed both films.

Tweens

Some tweens may enjoy the action, aliens, technology, and visual world. Others may lose interest in a plot built around detective work, celebrity scandal, and corruption. Watching the trailer together is a useful way to judge interest and comfort level.

Teens

Teens who enjoy science fiction, mystery, animation, classic movies, or filmmaking may be the strongest potential audience. Brad Bird has previously said that he wanted this story to reach somewhat older viewers, and the trailer supports that expectation.

What parents should watch for

Before choosing a family screening, look for updated information about:

• The official age rating

• Violence and weapons

• Frightening or intense scenes

• Language

• Romantic or suggestive material

• Alcohol, smoking, or other noir-style adult behavior

• The complexity and length of the mystery

FUN WITH KIDS IN LA® will update this guide when Netflix posts a rating or more detailed parent information.

Will Ray Gunn Play in Los Angeles Theaters?

Netflix says Ray Gunn will open in select theaters and on limited 70mm screens on December 4, 2026. The movie will then begin streaming on Netflix on December 18.

No specific Los Angeles theater was named in the official announcement reviewed for this article. Because Los Angeles is a major movie market and has venues capable of showing 70mm film, local screenings may be possible, but families should not treat that as confirmed until Netflix or a theater posts an official listing.

If you want the theatrical experience, start checking in late November. Look for the theater’s own ticketing page or Netflix’s official title page. Avoid purchasing through unfamiliar resale links, and confirm the format before paying if seeing the limited 70mm presentation matters to your family.

A theater outing may make sense for older kids or teens who are excited about animation and cinema. Streaming at home two weeks later may be the better choice for families who want the ability to pause, discuss the story, or stop if the tone is not a good fit.

Why Brad Bird’s Return to Original Animation Matters

Brad Bird is closely associated with animated movies that respect young audiences without talking down to them. The Iron Giant explores fear, friendship, and the choices that define a person. The Incredibles mixes superhero action with family dynamics. Ratatouille turns ambition, art, and taste into a story that children and adults can enjoy on different levels.

Ray Gunn appears to push farther toward an older audience. It is also an original story rather than a sequel, remake, or adaptation of an established family franchise. For movie-loving families, that makes it an interesting opportunity to talk about how animated films can explore many genres—not only fairy tales, musicals, and broad comedy.

The film may also introduce teens to classic noir. Parents could pair the movie with a conversation about hardboiled detectives, dramatic lighting, unreliable characters, and the way futuristic stories borrow from the past. Even if children are not ready for old Hollywood crime films, they can learn to recognize the visual and storytelling traditions that inspired Ray Gunn.

Takeaway

Ray Gunn is one of the most intriguing animated releases on the 2026 calendar, especially for families with teens who enjoy ambitious science fiction and mystery. Brad Bird’s retro-futuristic world looks visually spectacular, and the voice cast is unusually strong.

The key parenting note is simple: this is animated, but it is not being presented as a little-kid movie. Netflix is emphasizing detective noir, murder, corruption, and a more mature tone. Watch the official trailer, wait for the age rating, and choose between the December 4 limited theatrical release and the December 18 Netflix debut based on your child’s age and sensitivity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ray Gunn

1. When does Ray Gunn come out?

Ray Gunn is scheduled for select theaters and limited 70mm screens on December 4, 2026. It is scheduled to stream on Netflix beginning December 18, 2026.

2. Is Ray Gunn a children’s movie?

Netflix has not presented Ray Gunn as a traditional children’s movie. Its official description emphasizes a more grown-up animated detective story involving murder, corruption, and scandal. Parents should wait for the official rating before deciding whether it is suitable for younger children.

3. What is Ray Gunn rated?

No rating was listed in Netflix’s official trailer announcement as of September 23, 2026. This article will be updated when an official rating and more detailed content information become available.

4. Will Ray Gunn be shown in Los Angeles?

Netflix has announced a select theatrical release and limited 70mm screenings, but it had not named Los Angeles theaters in the official announcement reviewed for this guide. Check Netflix and official theater ticket pages closer to December 4.

5. Who voices the main characters in Ray Gunn?

Sam Rockwell voices private detective Raymond Gunn, Scarlett Johansson voices celebrity Venus Nova, and Tom Waits voices Eye-Ra, Ray’s one-eyed alien partner. The supporting cast includes Alan Tudyk, Matt Berry, Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Rodriguez, Aasif Mandvi, John Ratzenberger, and Patton Oswalt.