Netflix has unveiled a major update on its upcoming animation lineup, confirming new release dates, first-look images, concept art, and fresh details for projects arriving in 2026 and 2027. The announcements were made during presentations at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
The Netflix Animation Slate 2026 includes new films from acclaimed creators, a brand-new Ghostbusters animated series, a fresh adaptation of One Piece, and Ricky Gervais’ first animated sitcom for Netflix. The streamer also confirmed release dates for several highly anticipated animated features set to debut throughout late 2026.
Netflix shared the updates as part of its broader animation showcase, highlighting projects across film, television, anime, family entertainment, and adult animation.
Ghostbusters: Night Shift Gets a First Look Ahead of 2027 Release
One of the biggest reveals was Ghostbusters: Night Shift, an all-new animated series set in New York City in 1994.
According to the official logline, the story takes place five years after the Ghostbusters famously brought the Statue of Liberty to life. A new supernatural threat forces a group of young New Yorkers to step up and take on ghost-hunting duties themselves.
The series is executive produced by Ben Hibon, Elliott Kalan, Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan, Amie Karp, and Dan Aykroyd.
Netflix also released the first official images and concept art, while confirming the series will premiere globally in 2027.
The One Piece Sets February 2027 Premiere Date
Netflix also shared a new teaser and images for The One Piece, the upcoming anime adaptation produced by WIT Studio.
Based on Eiichiro Oda’s bestselling manga, the series will begin at the start of the original East Blue saga. Unlike the long-running television anime, this project offers a new adaptation of the story from the beginning.
Masashi Koizuka serves as director, with Hideaki Abe as assistant director and Taku Kishimoto overseeing series composition.
Additional key creative talent includes:
- Character Design & Chief Animation Directors: Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda
- Art Director: Tomonori Kuroda
- Animation Producer: Ryoma Kawamura
- Animation Studio: WIT Studio
Netflix confirmed that The One Piece will premiere globally in February 2027.
Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn Leads Netflix’s December Film Lineup
Award-winning filmmaker Brad Bird’s long-anticipated animated feature Ray Gunn now has an official release date.
The film arrives on December 18, 2026 and is set in Metropia, a massive alternate-future city inspired by a vision of 1939. The story follows private investigator Raymond Gunn as he becomes involved in a mystery involving aliens, murder, and a celebrity named Venus Nova.
The voice cast includes:
- Sam Rockwell
- Scarlett Johansson
- Tom Waits
The film is produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Lisa Beroud, with animation provided by Skydance Animation.
Netflix released new images and additional concept art from the project during Annecy.
Steps and In Waves Receive New Release Dates
Netflix also provided substantial updates on two animated films arriving late next year.
Steps
Steps will premiere globally on November 20, 2026.
The comedy reimagines Cinderella’s stepsisters as central characters. After stealing the Fairy Godmother’s wand, Lilith and Margot accidentally derail the classic fairy tale and trigger a larger adventure across the kingdom.
The voice cast includes:
- Ali Wong
- Amanda Seyfried
- Stephanie Hsu
- Nikki Glaser
- Bette Midler
The film is produced by Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell, and Kim Lessing, with Netflix Animation Studios handling animation.
In Waves
In Waves is scheduled to release globally on Netflix, excluding France, on December 11, 2026.
Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen and based on AJ Dungo’s graphic novel, the film follows two teenagers in Los Angeles whose relationship is tested when one of them faces a sudden illness.
The cast includes:
- Will Sharpe
- Stephanie Hsu
The screenplay comes from Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, while Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora serve as producers.
The Ribbon Hero and Alley Cats Join the 2026 Animation Lineup
Netflix also highlighted two additional projects arriving in 2026.
The Ribbon Hero
Premiering on August 8, 2026, The Ribbon Hero is directed by Yuki Igarashi and is inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s Princess Knight.
Produced by Twin Engine and animated by Outline, the feature follows a lone hero confronting a difficult destiny in a carefully crafted fantasy world.
Alley Cats
Adult animated comedy Alley Cats premieres globally on August 7, 2026.
Created, directed, and voiced by Ricky Gervais, the sitcom follows a group of feral British cats from different walks of life as they search for companionship and reflect on everyday experiences.
The cast includes:
- Ricky Gervais
- Tom Basden
- Andrew Brooke
- David Earl
- Kerry Godliman
- Jo Hartley
- Diane Morgan
- Natalie Cassidy
- Tony Way
The series is animated by Blink Industries.
Netflix Continues to Expand Its Animation Offering
Alongside the project announcements, Netflix highlighted the continued growth of animation and anime on the platform.
According to Netflix, more than 130 million members worldwide watch animated content each month. The company also stated that anime programming surpassed 1.5 billion views during 2025.
The Annecy presentation showcased Netflix’s plans across feature films, television series, anime, family programming, and adult animation, with releases now mapped across the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
FAQ
- When does Ghostbusters: Night Shift release on Netflix? Ghostbusters: Night Shift is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix in 2027.
- When is The One Piece coming to Netflix? The One Piece will debut globally on Netflix in February 2027.
- What is Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn release date? Ray Gunn is scheduled to release globally on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
Key Details
Netflix Animation Slate 2026
- Release Dates: August 7, 2026 through February 2027
- Films: Ray Gunn, Steps, In Waves, The Ribbon Hero
- Series: Alley Cats, Ghostbusters: Night Shift, The One Piece
- Notable Cast: Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Waits, Ali Wong, Amanda Seyfried, Stephanie Hsu, Bette Midler, Ricky Gervais, Will Sharpe
- Creators/Directors: Brad Bird, Ricky Gervais, Phuong Mai Nguyen, Yuki Igarashi, Masashi Koizuka
- Studios: Netflix Animation Studios, Skydance Animation, WIT Studio, Outline, Blink Industries
- Source Material: One Piece manga by Eiichiro Oda; In Waves graphic novel by AJ Dungo; The Ribbon Hero inspired by Princess Knight by Osamu Tezuka