# Netflix Won a Bidding War at Cannes 2026 for This Gorgeous Animated Romance — In Waves

URL: https://technosports.co.in/cannes-2026-animated-romance-in-waves/  
Published: 2026-05-20  
Updated: 2026-05-20  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

Cannes 2026 has barely started and Netflix is already making its biggest move of the festival. The streaming giant reportedly won a highly competitive bidding war — rumoured to be in the mid-seven figures — to secure global rights to *In Waves*, a stunning animated coming-of-age romance that opened [Semaine de la Critique (Critics’ Week)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Critics%27_Week) to near-universal praise

## In Waves on Netflix

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| Title | In Waves |
| Type | Animated Feature Film |
| Director | Phuong Mai Nguyen |
| Screenwriters | Fanny Burdino & Samuel Doux |
| Voice Cast | Stephanie Hsu, Will Sharpe |
| Based On | Graphic memoir by AJ Dungo (2019) |
| Producer | Silex Films |
| Premiered | Cannes Critics’ Week 2026 |
| Netflix Release Date | TBC (Late 2026 / Early 2027) |
| Rights | Global (excluding France) |

## What Is *In Waves* About?

Set in Los Angeles, the film follows **AJ**, a shy teenager who loves skateboarding and drawing, and **Kristen**, a free-spirited surfer who lives for the ocean. The two fall deeply in love and begin mapping out a future together — until Kristen is diagnosed with a sudden illness. What follows is a moving story of love, loss, community, and the enduring connection between two people bound by the sea.

![In Waves](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/inwsws.webp)

The film is adapted from AJ Dungo’s acclaimed 2019 graphic memoir of the same name, bringing a deeply personal and true love story to life through elegant, emotionally rich animation. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have praised it for its bittersweet emotional depth, drawing comparisons to *The Fault in Our Stars*, while forgiving occasional genre familiarity because of the authentic real-life heart behind the story.

## The Dream Team Behind the Film

**Director Phuong Mai Nguyen** brings a distinct visual and emotional sensibility to the material, making *In Waves* one of the most visually talked-about films at Cannes this year.

The voice cast is equally impressive:

- **Stephanie Hsu** — Oscar-nominated for *Everything Everywhere All at Once*, also known for *The Fall Guy*
- **Will Sharpe** — BAFTA-winner best known for *The White Lotus* and *Beef*

Both stars also serve as executive producers on the project, signalling a deep personal investment in getting the story right. Silex Films produced, with the deal negotiated by Anonymous Content, CAA Media Finance, and Charades.

Anonymous Content’s David Levine and Nick Shumaker said they were “energized by Mai’s unmistakable talent” from the very start, adding that the Netflix partnership ensures AJ’s story reaches audiences worldwide.

## Why This Could Be Netflix’s Animated Gem of the Year?

Netflix doesn’t often win Cannes bidding wars for animated features — this is a genuinely special acquisition. The combination of a real-life source story, a celebrated animation style, and two Hollywood heavyweights doing voice work gives *In Waves* real awards-season potential when it eventually lands on the platform.

No release date has been confirmed yet, but given the Cannes premiere in May 2026, a late 2026 or early 2027 Netflix drop seems most likely.

For more upcoming Netflix movies and streaming news, visit [Technosports’ entertainment section](https://technosports.co.in/netflix-movies-2026/).

## FAQs

### **Q: What is *In Waves* on Netflix about?**

*In Waves* is an animated romance based on AJ Dungo’s 2019 graphic memoir, following two teenagers in Los Angeles who fall in love before tragedy strikes — a deeply moving true story about love, loss, and resilience.

###    **Q: Who voices the characters in *In Waves* on Netflix?**

 Oscar-nominee Stephanie Hsu (*Everything Everywhere All at Once*) and BAFTA-winner Will Sharpe (*The White Lotus*) lead the voice cast, with both also serving as executive producers on the film.