Everything You Need To Know About The New Netflix Animated Movie

Nature’s sworn enemies are teaming up for a wild adventure this Spring. Skydance Animation and Netflix are gearing up for the release of Swapped, the highly anticipated animated family comedy formerly known and first announced as Pookoo (although keep that word in your head!). With a brand new trailer and poster officially out in the wild, here’s our comprehensive preview of everything you need to know about the movie before it hits Netflix in May 2026.

Swapped is the latest major feature film to come out of the multi-year partnership between Netflix and Skydance Animation. The first movie from that partnership was Spellbound, directed by Vicky Jenson, with Rachel Zegler and John Lithgow leading the voice cast.

Originally titled Pookoo, we reported last year that the project had been slightly delayed into 2026 and underwent a title change following its showcase at Annecy 2025.

Now, the promotional campaign is officially in full swing. On April 2nd, Netflix dropped the first official trailer, brand-new stills, and the key art poster sporting the tagline: “Transform Your Destiny.”

Here’s everything else we know so far about Swapped:

What is the plot of Swapped?

Described as a Freaky Friday-like buddy comedy set deep inside the animal kingdom, Swapped follows a tiny woodland creature and a majestic, regal bird. Being natural sworn enemies in “The Valley,” their lives are turned completely upside down when a body swap mishap forces them into each other’s fur and feathers. They must team up to survive the wild ecosystem and embark on the wildest adventure of their lives.

Director Nathan Greno promises a unique visual and emotional experience, teasing a world where “the creatures of the valley exist on a spectrum between plant and animal, creating a wild ecosystem.” Early stills showcase this magical environment, featuring forest streams, mossy rocks, and glowing purple plants in a vibrant nighttime setting.

“Swapped is an unpredictable, emotional ride — full of humor, spectacle, and heart. We drew from live-action nature documentaries, exploring the complexity of a wild ecosystem to capture something that feels vibrant and deeply human.” – Director Nathan Greno

Who is in the voice cast of Swapped?

What’s on Netflix has been tracking the cast for Swapped closely over the past few months, and it is absolutely stacked with comedic talent.

Leading the cast, as first revealed back in November, are:

• Michael B. Jordan as the voice of the tiny woodland creature (the smallest creature in the valley) called Ollie. (Camden Brooks voices the younger iteration of the character)
• Juno Temple as the voice of a regal, majestic bird called Ivy.

SWAPPED – (Top to bottom) Ivy (voiced by Juno Temple) and Ollie (voiced by Michael B. Jordan). Cr: Skydance Animation/Netflix © 2025

Director Greno praised the lead duo, noting they deliver incredible “warmth and authenticity” to the film, adding, “Every moment between them feels alive — funny one second, deeply moving the next. Their chemistry lifts the story and gives Swapped its wings.”

Rounding out the supporting cast—which we tracked in our reports on comedy legends joining the project and recent final roster additions—are:

• Tracy Morgan as a fish called Boogle
• Cedric the Entertainer
• Justina Machado
• Ambika Mod
• Lolly Adefope

Who is behind the movie?

Swapped is produced by Skydance Animation. You can check out our full guide to all upcoming Skydance Animation titles coming to Netflix here.

The movie is directed by Nathan Greno, who is best known for co-directing Disney’s Tangled. The screenplay is penned by John Whittington (The Lego Batman Movie) alongside writing partners Christian Magalhães & Robert Snow (DuckTales, WondLa). The original story was developed by Whittington, Adam Karp, Magalhães, Snow, and Greno.

Producing the feature are Skydance heavyweights John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews.

The film’s original score is composed by Emmy-nominated composer Siddhartha Khosla (This Is Us, Only Murders in the Building).

When is the Netflix release date for Swapped?

Swapped will officially flap onto Netflix globally on Friday, May 1, 2026.

The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes and carries a PG rating.

Are you excited to watch Swapped on Netflix this May? Let us know in the comments down below and here’s a few more first looks from the recent photo drop: 

Cr: Skydance Animation/NETFLIX ©2026 Skydance Animation

Cr: Skydance Animation/NETFLIX ©2026 Skydance Animation

Cr: Skydance Animation/NETFLIX ©2026 Skydance Animation

Cr: Skydance Animation/NETFLIX ©2026 Skydance Animation

Cr: Skydance Animation/NETFLIX ©2026 Skydance Animation

Cr: Skydance Animation/NETFLIX ©2026 Skydance Animation