Stray is becoming an animated movie, billed as the first ‘hopepunk’ film

Annapurna Pictures is making an animated movie based on its popular game Stray.

The media company’s Annapurna Animation division will be handling production of the film, which will tell the story of the cat-based adventure game.

Annapurna’s co-head of animation Robert Baird told Entertainment Weekly that he’s focusing on the term ‘hopepunk’, which was originally conceived by the game’s developer BlueTwelve.

“I love that term, hopepunk,” Baird said. “I think, if we are going to do this adaptation justice, this is going to be the first and greatest hopepunk movie that’s ever been made.”

Explaining why Stray was an interesting choice for a movie, Baird explained that the lack of human characters will make the film feel unique, but also challenging to make.

“This is a game that’s all about what makes us human, and there are no humans in it,” he explained. “It’s a buddy comedy about a cat and a robot, and there’s such a hilarious dynamic. So, there’s comedy inherent in this, but there’s not one human being in this movie.

“I think it’s one of the reasons why the game was incredibly popular, that you are seeing the world through the point of view of an adorable cat. How did they pull that off, and how are we going to pull that off in the movie?

“We will, even though sometimes it feels impossible, but we know that’s the essence of the game and the key to telling the story.”

Further reading

2

Cats watching Stray have become the latest Twitter trend

Some pets are transfixed by Annapurna's feline adventure

Stray was critically acclaimed when it was released on PS4, PS5 and PC in July 2022. It was then released on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One in August 2023.

The game has players taking control of a stray cat in a post-apocalypic world. After falling down a hole into a walled city, the cat has to find a way back to the surface while also interacting with the city’s robotic residents.

VGC’s Stray review called it one of Annapurna’s best releases to date. “Stray is a masterclass in environmental design, with one of the most engrossingly detailed game worlds we’ve explored,” our review read.

“Like its protagonist it’s a little on the short side, but what’s here will stay with you for a long time. Essential.”