In Your Dreams, Netflix dreams things into being—literally
First: sure, a new “what‑if dreams came to life” movie sparks deja vu—Inception, Slumberland, even Pixar's Dream Productions. But this one lands with real sincerity. It's a debut by Alex Woo (co‑director Erik Benson), and the trailer—revealed June 12 at Annecy—snaps you awake: zombie pancakes, snarky giraffes, and a nightmare queen who's oddly relatable.
Dream logic with a sibling twist
Stevie (12) and Elliot (8)—voiced by Jolie Hoang‑Rappaport and Elias Janssen—aren't just exploring dreamscape chaos. They're chasing the Sandman (Omid Djalili) to fix their fractured home. It's classic wish‑fulfillment with emotional teeth. “When I started this film… I didn't expect how emotional the performances were,” Woo reflects—especially with talents like Simu Liu and Craig Robinson aboard
Why it matters
- Netflix's animation gambit: Unveiled during an Annecy showcase on June 12, the studio is betting big on family spectacle alongside titles like Stranger Things: Tales from '85 and The Twits
- Animation pedigree: Crafted with Kuku Studios and Sony Imageworks, the blend promises fluid, vivid visuals—a playground for Woo and Benson's surreal ideas
- Composer John Debney (known for Hocus Pocus and The Jungle Book) adds the kind of score that can turn weird into wistful
On‑screen lineup
- Jolie Hoang‑Rappaport as Stevie
- Elias Janssen as Elliot
- Simu Liu as Dad, Craig Robinson as Baloney Tony, Cristin Milioti as Mom
- Gia Carides as the Queen of Nightmares, Djalili as Sandman, plus SungWon Cho and Zachary Noah Piser
The release roadmap
- Teaser unveiled: June 12, 2025 at Annecy
- Limited theatrical release: November 7, 2025
- Streaming premiere: November 14, 2025 on Netflix
Final dreams…or nightmares?
This isn't just another dream flick—it's a sibling story wrapped in existential playtime. It asks: can fantasy stitch up real‑world cracks? The trailer toys with that question without spelling it out. And maybe that's why In Your Dreams intrigues—it doesn't promise answers. It promises the strange, the emotional, and the profoundly human.
Should you keep your eye on it?
If you miss the days when animated family movies were bold and heartfelt—when they shook you and then hugged—you'll want this one on your watchlist.
