Ray Gunn is an animated sci-fi noir directed by Brad Bird and produced by Skydance Animation for Netflix. It takes place in the futuristic city of Metropia, seen through the lens of 1939.
The story follows private eye Raymond Gunn, voiced by Sam Rockwell. He gets pulled into a case of aliens and murder that centers on pop star Venus Nova, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, alongside his alien partner Eyera, voiced by Tom Waits.
The music is where this film gets especially interesting. Oscar winner Michael Giacchino wrote the score, and singer-songwriter Kimbra created the songs Johansson performs as Venus Nova.
This guide covers the composers, the original songs, and how to watch the film.
Ray Gunn Soundtrack Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film | Ray Gunn |
| Director | Brad Bird |
| Studio | Skydance Animation |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Score Composer | Michael Giacchino |
| Songwriter | Kimbra |
| Song Performer | Scarlett Johansson |
| Score Recorded At | Abbey Road Studios, London |
| World Premiere | October 10, 2026 (BFI London Film Festival) |
| Theatrical Release | December 4, 2026 (select theaters) |
| Netflix Release | December 18, 2026 |
Ray Gunn Soundtrack Overview
The Ray Gunn soundtrack pairs a full orchestral score with a set of original pop songs. The two sides reflect the film’s mix of detective noir, sci-fi and musical storytelling.
As per Variety Reports, Giacchino’s score was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios before the film’s release. Bird has said that recording orchestral music the old-fashioned way is one reason he keeps working with him.
The film’s roots are musical too. Bird has explained that the idea began when he first heard “Planet Claire” by The B-52’s and mistook it for a version of Henry Mancini’s “Peter Gunn.”
Who Composed the Ray Gunn Soundtrack?
Michael Giacchino (Score)
Michael Giacchino is an Academy Award-winning composer best known for Up, The Incredibles, Ratatouille and The Batman. His work has also included Coco, Inside Out, Zootopia, Lightyear and Society of the Snow.
His involvement in Ray Gunn was first announced in July 2022. It marks his sixth project with Bird, following The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Tomorrowland and Incredibles 2.
Giacchino has compared working with Bird to two kids meeting in a park to talk about the cartoon Jonny Quest. Their shared childhood tastes, he says, feed straight into the films they make together.
Kimbra (Songs)
Kimbra is a New Zealand-based singer-songwriter, widely known for her featured vocals on Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” She has won four ARIA Music Awards, two Grammys and seven New Zealand Music Awards.
Bird discovered her music through a recommendation from one of the film’s animation supervisors. Once the film secured funding, he asked her to write the songs for Venus Nova.
Ray Gunn Original Songs
According to Kimbra wrote three songs for the film, all performed by Scarlett Johansson as Venus Nova. Two titles have been confirmed so far: “Too Much to Ask” and “Innocent.”
“Too Much to Ask” is a moment where Venus, one of Metropia’s biggest pop stars, says she simply wants to be herself. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Kimbra has said to Variety she drew on Billie Holiday, a touch of Aretha Franklin, and a mysterious Twin Peaks-style ballad mood. Netflix is submitting the song for Academy Award consideration in the Best Original Song category.
“Innocent” takes the opposite approach. Kimbra describes it as dense and claustrophobic, in contrast to the organic orchestral feel of “Too Much to Ask.”
Michael Giacchino Filmography
| Film | Year | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Incredibles | 2004 | Brad Bird | First collaboration with Bird |
| Ratatouille | 2007 | Brad Bird | Second collaboration with Bird |
| Up | 2009 | Pete Docter | Won the Academy Award for Best Original Score |
| Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol | 2011 | Brad Bird | Live-action collaboration with Bird |
| Tomorrowland | 2015 | Brad Bird | Live-action collaboration with Bird |
| Incredibles 2 | 2018 | Brad Bird | Fifth collaboration with Bird |
| The Batman | 2022 | Matt Reeves | Recorded at Abbey Road Studios |
| Society of the Snow | 2023 | J.A. Bayona | Netflix film, also recorded at Abbey Road |
| Ray Gunn | 2026 | Brad Bird | Sixth collaboration with Bird |
Where to Hear the Ray Gunn Soundtrack?
The score and songs can be heard in the film itself. Ray Gunn premieres at the BFI London Film Festival on October 10, 2026, then opens in select theaters, including some 70mm screenings, on December 4. It begins streaming on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
FAQs
Who composed the Ray Gunn soundtrack?
Oscar winner Michael Giacchino composed the score. Singer-songwriter Kimbra wrote the film’s original songs.
Who sings the songs in Ray Gunn?
Scarlett Johansson performs Kimbra’s songs as the pop star Venus Nova.
What are the confirmed songs in Ray Gunn?
Two titles are confirmed: “Too Much to Ask” and “Innocent.” Kimbra wrote three songs in total for the film.
Is “Too Much to Ask” being submitted for an Oscar?
Yes. Netflix is submitting “Too Much to Ask” for consideration in the Best Original Song category at the Academy Awards.
Where was the Ray Gunn score recorded?
The score was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. “Too Much to Ask” was also recorded there with the London Symphony Orchestra.
When is Ray Gunn released?
The film arrives in select theaters on December 4, 2026, and streams on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
How many times has Giacchino worked with Brad Bird? Ray Gunn is their sixth collaboration, after The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Tomorrowland and Incredibles 2.
Ray Gunn Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Ray Gunn |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Genre | Animated sci-fi noir |
| Score Composer | Michael Giacchino |
| Songwriter | Kimbra |
| Director | Brad Bird |
| Where to Watch | Select theaters from Dec 4, 2026; streaming on Netflix from Dec 18, 2026 |
Score & Composer
Michael Giacchino’s score leans into the noir side of Ray Gunn’s “sci-fi detective” premise, built around a full orchestra recorded live at Abbey Road Studios in London — the same approach he used on The Batman and Society of the Snow. It’s his sixth collaboration with director Brad Bird, following The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Tomorrowland and Incredibles 2. Alongside the score, singer-songwriter Kimbra wrote original pop songs for Scarlett Johansson’s character Venus Nova, drawing on Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin influences for a 1940s-noir-meets-pop-diva sound.
Every Song (by Scene)
| Scene / Moment | Song & Artist |
|---|---|
| Venus Nova’s orchestral, Billie Holiday–inspired ballad moment | “Too Much to Ask” – performed by Scarlett Johansson (written by Kimbra) |
| A darker, “dense and claustrophobic” Venus Nova number | “Innocent” – performed by Scarlett Johansson (written by Kimbra) |
Note: Kimbra wrote a third song for the film, but its title has not been confirmed in any source checked for this guide, so it is omitted here rather than guessed.
Where to Stream Ray Gunn
Ray Gunn opens in select theaters (including 70mm screenings) on December 4, 2026, before arriving exclusively on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
Cast
Sam Rockwell voices private eye Ray Gunn, with Scarlett Johansson as pop star Venus Nova and Tom Waits as Ray’s alien partner Eyera. The ensemble also includes Matt Berry, Bobby Cannavale, Alan Tudyk, Kathryn Hunter, Michael Chernus and Patton Oswalt, with director Brad Bird himself voicing two henchmen characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the score for Ray Gunn?
Michael Giacchino composed the orchestral score, recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Kimbra wrote the film’s original songs.
Where can I watch Ray Gunn?
It plays in select theaters starting December 4, 2026, then streams on Netflix from December 18, 2026.
Is there a soundtrack album for Ray Gunn?
No standalone soundtrack album has been confirmed yet. The score and two confirmed Kimbra songs, “Too Much to Ask” and “Innocent,” can currently only be heard in the film itself.
When was Ray Gunn released?
It premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on October 10, 2026, ahead of its December 4 theatrical and December 18 Netflix release.
Who sings the songs in Ray Gunn?
Scarlett Johansson performs all of Kimbra’s songs in character as pop star Venus Nova.
Is “Too Much to Ask” up for an Oscar?
Yes. Netflix is campaigning “Too Much to Ask” for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.
Related Reading
For another 2026 Netflix original soundtrack, see our Below soundtrack guide. Browse more upcoming titles on our Netflix soundtrack hub.