Skydance Animation's "Swapped" Starring Jordan and Temple to Premiere on Netflix May 1, 2026

Skydance Animation has announced that its new animated feature "Swapped" will premiere exclusively on Netflix on May 1, 2026. This film marks the studio's second animated title scheduled for release on the streaming service in 2026 and continues the long-term collaboration between Skydance Animation and Netflix that began after the shift in exclusive distribution from Apple TV+.

The film's plot centers on the classic body-swap motif. At the heart of the story are two bitter rivals from the Valley: a grumpy forest creature voiced by Michael B. Jordan and a graceful bird voiced by Juno Temple. The characters unexpectedly trade places and are forced to embark on an adventure together while adapting to life in each other's fur and feathers. Positioned as a buddy comedy, the film aims to use its humorous premise to explore themes of empathy and understanding between different species.

The director's chair is occupied by Nathan Greno, who previously co-directed the Walt Disney Animation Studios film "Tangled" (2010). Greno, who also contributed to the screenplays for "Brother Bear" (2003) and "Bolt" (2008), states that "Swapped" will offer a unique perspective on the body-swap genre by focusing on building an authentic connection between the heroes. The film will have a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes.

Along with Jordan and Temple, the cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Keegan-Michael Key, Zach Galifianakis, Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, and Justina Machado. The screenplay was written by John Whittington, Christian Magalhães, and Robert Snow, with a score composed by Siddhartha Khosla. The production is being handled by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews. John Lasseter, who has led Skydance’s animation division since January 2019, sees the Netflix partnership as an opportunity for the studio—founded on March 16, 2017, in Santa Monica, California—to reach a critical mass of viewers.

"Swapped" will be the third Skydance Animation project released on Netflix, following "Spellbound," which premiered on November 22, 2024. The May 1, 2026, release date provides the broad audience of the streaming service with direct access to the animated film.