Bong Joon Ho’s Ally: A First Look at His Debut Animated Feature

After directing live-action classics like Parasite and Snowpiercer, Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon Ho is making his first animated feature film, titled Ally. The first image from the project was released today, offering fans a rare glimpse into this long-awaited endeavor. This transition to full animation marks a significant milestone in Bong Joon Ho’s career as he ventures into uncharted waters with Ally, a story of friendship and courage set in the deep ocean.

An Uncharted Journey Beneath the Waves

Ally has been in development since 2019, with Bong Joon Ho co-writing the screenplay alongside Jason Yu, known for Sleep. At the heart of the story lies Ally herself: 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, according to the official plot synopsis.

However, her peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean. 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. Inspired by remarkable real-life marine creatures, the film explores themes of friendship and courage as encounters between humans and deep-sea creatures reshape both worlds.

The production boasts a star-studded team behind the scenes, including:

  • Seo Woo-sik (Mother, Okja) serves as producer.
  • Animation supervisor Jae Hyung Kim, bringing experience from Toy Story 4 and Inside Out.
  • Supervising producer David Lipman, known for the Shrek franchise.
  • Production designer Marcin Jakubowski (Klaus), who shapes the visual world.

Additionally, DNEG, famous for their work on Inception and Dune, is onboard contributing expertise in high-end 3D animation to bring this visually stunning underwater world to life. The film promises a family adventure blending humor and emotion through epic action sequences set against breathtaking deep-sea backdrops.

Release Date, Industry Support, and Future Outlook

Ally aims to be completed in the first half of 2027, with plans for a worldwide theatrical release that same year. The project is being financed and distributed by CJ ENM, Penture Invest, and Pathé. Meanwhile, Barunson C&C oversees production, ensuring the film maintains its unique artistic vision.

This announcement follows Bong Joon Ho's most recent film, Mickey 17, which IGN nominated as one of the Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films of 2025. As anticipation builds for this animated debut, Ally represents a new chapter in the director's legacy, blending his signature storytelling with groundbreaking animation technology.