Netflix has released the first official trailer for In Waves, its latest animated feature and one of the season’s most decorated festival darlings. The trailer, which arrived on October 20, 2026 alongside new stills from the film, offers the first English-language look at a project Netflix is openly positioning as a Best Animated Feature Oscar contender.
Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen in her feature directorial debut, In Waves adapts AJ Dungo’s graphic novel of the same name — a true story of love, loss, and the California surf. The voice cast brings serious awards pedigree: Will Sharpe (of The White Lotus fame) voices AJ, while Stephanie Hsu (Oscar nominee for Everything Everywhere All at Once) voices Kristen. Both actors also serve as executive producers on the film.
What the trailer reveals about the story
The trailer traces the emotional arc of the graphic novel. AJ is a reserved Los Angeles high school student who passes his time drawing and skateboarding with friends — until he meets Kristen, an energetic surfer who pulls him into her world. She teaches him to ride waves and opens his eyes to the deep historical connection between surfing and Hawaiian culture.
As their love deepens, AJ begins to preserve their bond the only way he knows how: by drawing their story. The film, set against the sun-drenched Southern California surf culture, explores the idea of finding a soulmate, of living life fully, and of love’s enduring power — themes drawn directly from Dungo’s illustrated reminiscences of his late partner.
The trailer’s visual style is striking: painterly, hand-crafted animation that echoes the graphic novel’s brushwork, with swells of teal and sunset-orange water rendered in a distinctly personal style. Original music comes from Oklou and ROB, with a screenplay adapted by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux. The film runs 91 minutes and was produced by Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora for Silex Films alongside Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content.
An unprecedented festival run
In Waves did not arrive at Netflix quietly. The film made history as the first animated film ever to open Cannes Critics’ Week, then competed in the main feature competition at Annecy, the world’s most prestigious animation festival. It has since screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Busan, and Mill Valley, and it is set to open the 30th American French Film Festival on November 3, 2026.
Critics have responded warmly: the film is holding around 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Produced in France, it already received a French theatrical release on July 1, 2026 with a separate French voice cast — meaning domestic French audiences have been watching it for months while the rest of the world waits.
When can you watch In Waves?
| Release stage | Date |
|---|---|
| First official trailer | October 20, 2026 |
| Opens American French Film Festival | November 3, 2026 |
| Select U.S. theaters | November 27, 2026 |
| Global Netflix streaming | December 11, 2026 |
The film will play in select U.S. theaters starting November 27, 2026, then stream globally on Netflix on December 11, 2026 (France is excluded from that date since the film already released there). A word of caution for early coverage: some outlets initially cited December 1, but December 11 is Netflix’s confirmed global streaming date.
Why this matters: Netflix’s Oscar animation play
Netflix has had a complicated relationship with the Academy’s animation category, and In Waves represents its most festival-credentialed animated awards push yet. A Cannes Critics’ Week opener, an Annecy main-competition slot, and a mid-90s Rotten Tomatoes score give the film the kind of pedigree Oscar voters notice. With Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu’s prestige names attached both in front of the mic and as executive producers, Netflix clearly sees this as more than a December streaming title — it sees a trophy contender.
For audiences, the film offers something rarer: a genuinely hand-crafted, adult-leaning animated drama rooted in a real love story, released in a season typically dominated by franchise sequels. Whether the Oscar campaign succeeds or not, the trailer confirms In Waves is one of the season’s essential animated releases.
Frequently asked questions
When does In Waves release on Netflix?
In Waves streams globally on Netflix on December 11, 2026. It plays in select U.S. theaters starting November 27, 2026. France is excluded from the streaming date since the film already had its French theatrical release on July 1, 2026.
Who voices AJ and Kristen in In Waves?
Will Sharpe (The White Lotus) voices AJ and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once) voices Kristen. Both are also executive producers on the film.
What is In Waves based on?
The film is based on AJ Dungo’s graphic novel of the same name, which tells the true story of his relationship with his late partner, Kristen, set against Southern California surf culture.
Who directed In Waves?
Phuong Mai Nguyen, making her feature directorial debut. The screenplay was adapted by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, with original music by Oklou and ROB.
Is In Waves an Oscar contender?
Netflix is positioning it as one. It was the first animated film ever to open Cannes Critics’ Week, competed at Annecy, played TIFF, Busan and Mill Valley, opens the American French Film Festival, and sits at around 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.