Ryan Reynolds & Jason Momoa’s R-Rated Comedy Gets Delayed By 8 Months

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The new R-rated comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa, called Animal Friends, has been delayed again.

Directed by Peter Atencio, the movie blends live action with animation and follows two animal friends on a cross-country journey to reclaim their old home. Along the way, they try to repair their friendship while being chased by a quirky DEA agent and a wildlife ranger, both of whom have personal stakes in catching them.

According to Deadline, the movie Animal Friends has had its release date delayed again, this time by about eight months. It was originally planned for release this June, but will now arrive in theaters on January 22, 2027. This is the latest of several changes to the film’s schedule; it had previously been moved from August 15, 2025, to October 10, 2025, then to May 1, 2026, and later to June 5, 2026, before settling on the new January 2027 date.

The movie Animal Friends, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa, along with Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Lil Rel Howery, Addison Rae, and Ellie Bamber, is delayed so the actors can participate in publicity events around its new release date. The film was first announced in 2023.

Warner Bros. was already planning to release a movie on January 22nd of next year. Currently, the only big studio films scheduled for that date are Animal Friends, along with The Third Parent from Bleecker Street and Air Bud Returns from Cineverse.

Okay, so the movie’s been delayed again, and I get why people are worried, but honestly, I think pushing it to early 2027 might be a really smart move. January is becoming a great time to release films that aren’t huge action blockbusters, especially comedies. It’s a way to stand out when the summer is packed with everything else. By moving away from a June release, Animal Friends won’t be going head-to-head with those big movies like Amazon’s Masters of the Universe, the Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd film Power Ballad, or Scary Movie 6. It gives us a much better chance!

Moving the release date gives Animal Friends a better chance to reach viewers who want a fun, different movie early in the year. It also works well with the busy schedules of the film’s main actors.

Ryan Reynolds recently starred in the hit movie Deadpool & Wolverine and continues to work on projects through his Maximum Effort production company. He’s also confirmed to return as Deadpool in Avengers: Doomsday, which comes out December 18, 2026. Jason Momoa will also be releasing a major film that day: Dune: Part Three.

The delay isn’t just about the release date; it could actually help with finishing the movie. Because the film mixes real actors with animation, a lot of special effects work is needed. More time allows the filmmakers to polish everything and make sure the final result is funny and visually appealing, which is especially important for a comedy aimed at adults that will likely depend on both sight gags and strong characters.

Despite its initial challenges, Animal Friends still has a lot of potential. The film’s unique idea, combined with the funny chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa, could really attract viewers. Moving the release date might be a smart move, allowing it to shine as a standout comedy when fewer other films are competing for attention.

Animal Friends is now set to release in theatres on January 22, 2027.

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2026-03-28 19:13