Arco, a science fiction animated film slated for a November release this year, has included two big names in its English voice cast. The Oscar contender includes two prominent actors from Margot Robbie’s blockbuster film, Barbie: Will Ferrell, who played an unnamed eccentric CEO of Mattel, and America Ferrera, who delivered the film’s powerful monologue as Gloria. The two’s involvement proves to be a key move for Neon as the studio positions the film for the upcoming awards season.
First trailer for ‘ARCO’, starring Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Flea, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, and Andy Samberg.The film follows a boy from a peaceful, distant future who accidentally travels back to the year 2075 and discovers a world in peril. pic.twitter.com/ojNg6WCZr7— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 21, 2025
Arco is the story of a young boy named Arco from the year 2932 who travels back in time using a rainbow and lands in the year 2075, where he meets a girl named Iris. A futuristic animation film (which recently released its trailer), Arco, is bound to make the viewers think about environmental issues and unchecked technology, which has given rise to a dystopian world.
A story of friendship, hope, and consequences, let’s explore a bit more about what Arco has to offer.
Arco Assembles an All-Star Cast from Hollywood Favorites
From all-time favourite celebs to surprising names, Arco is studded with a star cast that everyone dreams of watching. Instead, you’ll only get to hear them here. Other than Will Ferrell and America Ferrera, the film also stars Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, Flea, and Andy Samberg, who will also grace the English voice cast.
Key PointsDetailTitleArcoDirectorUgo BienvenuProducersNatalie Portman, Félix de Givry, Sophie MasEnglish Voice CastNatalie PortmanWill FerrellAmerica FerreraMark RuffaloFleaAndy SambergFrench Voice CastOscar TresaniniMargot Ringard OldraAlma JodorowskySwann ArlaudVincent MacaigneLouis GarrelOxmo PuccinoSophie MasGenreAnimation, Adventure, Science Fiction, FantasyUS Release DateNovember 14, 2025
Arco tells about the journey of a 10-year-old boy named Arco, who lives in a utopian future far removed from our current time. In his world, humanity has learned to live in harmony with the planet, and people can travel through time using special rainbow-hued suits.
In an interview with Unifrance, director Ugo Bienvenu talked about how he ideated the film, saying,
“I would say that the film aimed to give a big hug to everyone who would see it because we started writing it in 2020, and the world was not going very well, and we thought that things wouldn’t necessarily get better.”
The whole idea was to create a space wherein the concept of time travel, friendship, and hope came to life. He wanted to address the issue of the real world in a utopian sense. Arco intends to tell the children that they can invent the world as they wish, and grounds the story in today and tomorrow.
Arco Scores 82% on RT as Neon’s Oscar Entry: What It Means for the 98th Academy Awards
A still from Arco | Credits: Neon
Already released in its native country, France, Arco holds a solid rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film about time-travelling has excited the audience, leading to a strong start for competing at the 98th Academy Awards.
Either way, Neon has a history of championing critically acclaimed international films that go on to win major awards, including Parasite for Best Picture of 2020, and Anora for Best Feature of 2025.
While the 2025 animated feature race includes major studio releases like Disney’s Zootopia 2 and Pixar’s Elio, Arco‘s positive reception and all-star English voice cast make it a strong opponent.
The film’s noteworthy hand-drawn animation style and emotional narrative have a chance to set it apart from other entries, positioning it as a favorite among voters who appreciate artistic and independent cinema.
What’s your take on the film? Let us know in the comments below.
Arco is slated for a theatrical release on November 14, 2025 (US).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
