In Waves Netflix fans can mark December 11, 2026 on the calendar. That is the day this animated feature starts streaming, after a short run in select cinemas from November 27.
It is a coming-of-age romance set in sunny Southern California, built from the real life of cartoonist AJ Dungo. Phuong Mai Nguyen directs in her first feature, and the voices come from Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu.
The film opened Cannes Critics’ Week earlier this year, so expect it to arrive with some festival buzz behind it.
Table of Contents
Official Trailer Breakdown
The trailer leans on warmth and colour. Hand-drawn beaches, skate parks and sunsets set a gentle mood before the film hints that the happy times will not last forever.
Much of the footage follows two teenagers slowly learning each other’s worlds. The tone stays tender, and the final shots suggest a bittersweet turn in the story.
- AJ sketches in his notebook and rides his skateboard with his friends.
- Kristen paddles out on her surfboard and clearly feels at home in the water.
- The two meet, and curiosity quickly becomes something deeper.
- Kristen teaches AJ to surf and tells him about the sport’s roots in Hawaiian culture.
- AJ begins turning their time together into drawings.
- A darker note near the end hints at a loss ahead.
In Waves Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | In Waves |
| Type | Film (animated) |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Release Date | December 11, 2026 (select theaters from November 27, 2026) |
| Creator / Director | Phuong Mai Nguyen |
| Episodes / Runtime | About 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Genres | Animation, Drama, Romance, Based on Real Life |
| Language / Country | English, Southern California setting |
| Maturity Rating | Not yet listed by Netflix |
| Content Advisory | Not yet listed by Netflix |
Story of In Waves
AJ is a quiet high school student in Los Angeles. He spends his free hours drawing and skating with his close friends, and he does not say much about what he feels.
Kristen is the opposite in many ways. She is lively and outgoing, and the ocean is where she feels most free. When the two cross paths, a friendship grows into a first love.
She takes him surfing for the first time and shares how the sport connects to Hawaiian history. In return, AJ finds a way to hold on to their bond by drawing it, panel by panel.
Netflix describes the film as a story of two lovestruck teens who meet a cruel twist of fate, and who lean on their friends and the sea to keep going. The film is presented as a true story, so the emotional weight comes from real events.
AJ
AJ is the reserved artist at the heart of the story, and the drawings he makes become the way the film remembers its romance.
Kristen
Kristen is the surfer who pulls AJ out of his shell and shows him how to chase a full life.
Meet the Cast
- Will Sharpe as AJ
- Stephanie Hsu as Kristen
- Johnny Young, Alejandro Antonio Ruiz and Griffin Puatu in supporting voice roles (character names not confirmed)
Sharpe is known for his work in acting and writing on screen, while Hsu rose to wider fame with Everything Everywhere All at Once. Pairing them gives the leads a good mix of soft-spoken and bright energy.
Behind the Camera
Phuong Mai Nguyen directs, and this is her debut feature. The story is adapted from AJ Dungo’s autobiographical graphic memoir of the same name.
Nguyen has said she wanted the film to show the tenderness and resilience of the couple and their friends. She also wanted the characters to carry a sense of urgency about living and believing in the future.
Themes Explored
First Love
The film follows how two young people change one another just by paying attention.
Memory and Art
AJ draws as a way to keep what he loves from fading, which turns the movie into a story about remembering.
Friendship
Their friends are part of the story, offering support when things turn painful.
Living Fully
The ocean works as a symbol of freedom and of taking chances while time allows.
In Waves Age Rating & Parents Guide
Netflix has not published a maturity rating for the film in the information we reviewed, so there is no official US or India rating to quote yet. We will update this section once one appears.
The trailer shows teen characters, romance and a tragic turn. The film is listed as adult animation, so it is not aimed at small children. As a guess, it looks suitable for ages 13+ pending an official label.
Release Date & Where to Watch
In Waves streams on Netflix from December 11, 2026. A limited theatrical run in select cinemas begins on November 27, 2026.
Should You Watch It? Our Verdict
Verdict: Watch it. A tender, beautifully drawn first-love story that critics say earns its tears. Early buzz: 8/10 (Geek Vibes Nation, from the Cannes Critics’ Week premiere).
This verdict is based on the trailer and the festival reviews, since In Waves doesn’t reach Netflix until December 11. It made history as the first animated film to open Cannes Critics’ Week, and the early response has been warm: TheWrap called it a stylish, emotionally powerful tearjerker and singled out the hand-drawn animation, while Screen Daily found the central romance tender and affecting.
The reservations are small. Screen Daily felt the inserts about Hawaiian surfing history weren’t always needed, and Geek Vibes Nation admitted the story leans on familiar teen-romance beats, though the true-story roots make that easy to forgive. At about 90 minutes, it’s an easy evening watch.
Watch it if you like:
- The Fault in Our Stars and other coming-of-age tearjerkers
- hand-drawn, indie-style animation
- stories based on real lives and graphic memoirs
Skip it if:
- you want something light: the story turns to illness and loss
- you prefer animation made for young children
Final Thoughts
With a Cannes opening slot, a real story and two charming lead voices, In Waves on Netflix looks like a gentle but emotional pick for the holiday season. Bring tissues.
