Netflix has released the official trailer for In Waves, an animated love story based on a true story. It opens in select theaters on November 27, 2026 and arrives on Netflix on December 11.
The story
Based on AJ Dungo's 2019 graphic memoir, the film follows AJ, a quiet high-schooler in Southern California who spends his time drawing and skateboarding. He falls for Kristen, an energetic surfer who teaches him to ride waves and shares surfing's roots in Hawaiian culture. As their bond deepens, AJ starts drawing their story so he can hold on to it.
Who's in it
Will Sharpe voices AJ and Stephanie Hsu voices Kristen in the English-language version. Both also serve as executive producers.
Behind the camera
Franco-Vietnamese filmmaker Phuong Mai Nguyen makes her feature debut, from a screenplay by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux. It's produced by Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora of Silex Films with Nick Shumaker of Anonymous Content, with music by Oklou and Rob. The film opened Cannes Critics' Week, the first animated film to do so, and later played in competition at Annecy.
Released by Netflix.