Warner Bros. is making calculated moves on its upcoming film slate, with two significant releases now set to debut in the fall of 2028. The studio has repositioned its DC animated feature, Dynamic Duo, and the long-awaited new installment in the Gremlins franchise, a strategy designed to maximize their reach and impact.
The animated superhero adventure, Dynamic Duo, which delves into the early days of Dick Grayson and Jason Todd as the Robins, is shifting from its original June 30, 2028 slot to September 22, 2028. Warner Bros. distribution sees this fall date as an opportune "back-to-school" window, targeting not just K-12 students but also teens and college audiences. The studio is reportedly eyeing the success of films like Spider-Verse, suggesting a similar ambition for this unique puppets-meet-animation feature. This move also conveniently places Dynamic Duo clear of Paramount's Call of Duty film, which is slated for the same June 30 date. There are currently no major studio releases scheduled for September 22, 2028, giving the DC project a clear runway.
Dynamic Duo marks a notable collaboration, being the first joint project between DC Studios and the Bill Damaschke-led Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. The film is being brought to life by Swaybox, a new animation studio based in New Orleans, under the direction of Arthur Mintz, who co-founded the studio with Theresa Andersson. Recently, InSneider revealed a compelling voice cast, with Mason Thames as Dick Grayson, Logan Kim as Jason Todd, Lee Pace as Red Hood One, and Steve Buscemi as Red Hood Two.
Meanwhile, the untitled Chris Columbus-directed Gremlins movie is also moving, pushing back from November 19, 2027, to October 6, 2028. This date change aligns with a historically successful period for Warner Bros., particularly referencing the strong performance of Joker in the first weekend of October. Like Dynamic Duo, the Gremlins sequel faces no direct competition from Paramount on its new release date, nor did it on its previous one.
This third Gremlins feature has a screenplay by Chris Columbus, Zach Lipovsky, and Adam B. Stein, with a current draft by Hannah Marks. The project boasts a robust producing team, including Kristie Macosko Krieger and Holly Bario for Amblin Entertainment, alongside Columbus, Michael Barnathan, and Mark Radcliffe for 26th Street Pictures. Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg serves as an executive producer, joined by Eleanor Columbus from Maiden Voyage. The original Gremlins films were famously directed by Joe Dante, setting a high bar for this new entry.
These strategic adjustments underscore Warner Bros.' careful planning for its future slate, ensuring each film has the best possible chance to connect with audiences, rather than being a reaction to broader industry mergers.