Bong Joon Ho’s First Animated Feature Is ‘Ally,’ About a Squid

Academy Award–winning writer and director Bong Joon Ho’s first animated feature, “Ally,” isn’t even here yet, and look, we’re already learning so much from it. Like, is a “piglet squid” — the species at the center of the film — real? You bet it is, and it’s adorable.

Director Bong and his team have today revealed a first look at “Ally,” which has been in development since 2019. Bong directed the film and co-wrote the script alongside “Sleep” filmmaker Jason Yu.

Per today’s announcement, the film follows “a curious and endearing piglet squid living in the uncharted depths of the South Pacific Ocean. She dreams of one day seeing the sun and becoming the star of a wildlife documentary. But when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, her peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger. Alongside her colorful and loyal — yet unlikely — companions, Ally is thrust into an extraordinary journey that will take her all the way to the surface.”

Today’s press release also notes that the film is “inspired by remarkable real-life marine creatures, [and] explores themes of friendship and courage, as encounters between humans and the creatures of the deep reshape both worlds. Set against visually stunning underwater worlds and epic action sequences, the film is a family adventure blending humor and emotion.”

The film will be completed in the first half of 2027, with a worldwide theatrical release in the same year. “Ally” will be the first Bong joint released since his 2025 feature “Mickey 17.”

Financing and distribution are handled by CJ ENM, Penture Invest, and Pathé, with Barunson C&C overseeing production. Seo Woo-sik will produce the film marking his third collaboration with Director Bong, following “Mother” and “Okja.”

The film brings together leading creative talents from 12 countries, including South Korea, with key contributors such as animation supervisor Jae Hyung Kim (“Toy Story 4,” “Inside Out”), supervising producer David Lipman (“Shrek” franchise), and production designer Marcin Jakubowski (“Klaus”). DNEG, the world-renowned studio behind “Inception” and “Dune,” is also onboard contributing expertise in high-end 3D animation.

Pathé will handle distribution in France, Benelux, Switzerland and West Africa while CJ and Penture will distribute in South Korea, Vietnam, Turkey and Indonesia. Pathé represents international sales excluding Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, for which CJ and Penture will handle sales.