Netflix has taken the first major step in its awards campaign with In Waves. The platform has released the first trailer for this romantic animated film, accompanied by new official images, ahead of a limited theatrical release next month and its definitive arrival on the streaming catalog in December.
The film has been one of Netflix's most closely followed bets so far this festival season. The streaming giant acquired it at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, in what was its first major purchase of the season. Since then, In Waves has toured festivals such as Annecy, Biarritz, TIFF, Busan, and Mill Valley, garnering a very positive critical response.
With a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes and glowing reviews from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and Next Best Picture, Netflix is clearly positioning In Waves as a candidate for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, within a year loaded with animated offerings from the platform that also includes Steps and Ray Gunn.
What is In Waves about?
In Waves is based on the bestselling 2019 graphic novel by AJ Dungo, which tells the true story of the author's relationship with his high school girlfriend, Kristen.
The official Netflix synopsis describes the story as a tale set in the Southern California surf culture that explores the joy of finding your soulmate, the courage needed to live life to the fullest, and the enduring power of love to shape who we are and what we leave behind.
The plot follows AJ, a shy teenager from Los Angeles who loves skateboarding and drawing, who meets Kristen, a passionate surfer, at a high school dance. She introduces him to the world of the ocean despite his fear of water, and they fall deeply in love. Their future together is cut short when Kristen suffers a sudden illness.
Cast and creative team of In Waves
In the English version, Will Sharpe, known for The White Lotus and Too Much, voices AJ, while Stephanie Hsu, from Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Wild Robot, voices Kristen. Both actors also serve as executive producers on the project.
The film was produced in France and also features a French voice cast, with Rio Vega and Lyna Khoudri as AJ and Kristen, alongside Paul Kircher and Birane Ba.
In Waves marks the feature film directorial debut of French-Vietnamese filmmaker Phuong Mai Nguyen. The screenplay is by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, while the original score is composed by Oklou and Rob.
The production is handled by Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora for Silex Films, along with Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content. Executive producers include Yohann Comte, Carole Baraton, Pierre Mazars, and David Levine of Anonymous Content.
The challenge of animating the ocean
Director Phuong Mai Nguyen explained that the surfing and water sequences were the biggest challenge of the production from day one, especially since it was an independent budget project that ruled out the use of realistic computer-generated waves. The team did extensive pre-drawing work to define the film's visual style, in which the ocean also serves a narrative function, reflecting the characters' emotional state.
Visually, In Waves combines backgrounds painted entirely in 2D with CG character models, a stylistic decision that has generated mixed reviews among critics, although it has been highlighted as a bold choice compared to more conventional options.
When is In Waves coming to Netflix?
In Waves will be released in select theaters on November 27, 2026, before its global arrival on Netflix on December 11, 2026. The only exception is France, where the film already had a theatrical release on July 1, so the Netflix agreement covers the rest of the world.
Before arriving on streaming, the film has had a prominent festival run: it became the first animated film to open the Cannes Critics' Week and subsequently competed in the official feature film section at Annecy. It has also visited Biarritz, TIFF, Busan, and Mill Valley. Among its next stops before the theatrical release are the Film Festival Cologne and the San Diego Asian Film Festival, where it will be the opening film. Additionally, it will open the 30th edition of the American French Film Festival on November 3, becoming the first animated film to open that festival.
Frequently asked questions about In Waves
When does In Waves premiere on Netflix?
In Waves arrives on Netflix globally on December 11, 2026, following a limited theatrical release on November 27, 2026. France is the only exception, as the film was released in theaters there on July 1.
Who are the main voices in In Waves?
In the English version, Will Sharpe voices AJ and Stephanie Hsu voices Kristen, both also serving as executive producers. The French version features Rio Vega, Lyna Khoudri, Paul Kircher, and Birane Ba.
What is In Waves based on?
The film adapts the 2019 graphic novel by AJ Dungo, which recounts the true story of his relationship with his high school girlfriend, Kristen, set in the Southern California surf culture.
Who directs In Waves?
In Waves is the feature film directorial debut of French-Vietnamese filmmaker Phuong Mai Nguyen, with a screenplay by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux.
Is In Waves an awards contender?
Netflix is pushing In Waves as a contender for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, within a season that also includes titles like Steps and Ray Gunn in its animated catalog.
