Sneaks Release Date, Storyline, and Everything You Need to Know
Soon, New York City will be the playground for a pair of sneakers on a mission. Sneaks, an upcoming animated adventure that theaters worldwide will see on April 18, 2025, centers on Ty, Maxine, and their trek through the concrete jungle after a mysterious collector separates them.
Based on the book “The Witches” (also a great movie), this has an all-star voice cast, a story about finding your way in an unfamiliar world, and lots of shoes come to life in this fresh interpretation of the animated buddy adventure.
Sneaks Release Date
Briarcliff Entertainment purchased the American distribution rights to “Sneaks” in November 2024, intending a wide release on April 18, 2025, in 1,500+ theaters nationwide. Its spring release date also places the film amongst family-friendly fare going into the post-spring break season.
The release plan is regionally and globally based. (Possible Streamers: In the United Kingdom, Sky Cinema will stream the film starting March 28, 2025, three weeks before its U.S. theatrical run.) That staggered release approach has become a more frequent strategy for animated features.
A brisk 92 minutes, it’s a manageable length for younger viewers yet manages to extend its characters and story. Initial marketing materials include posters of the lead characters and a trailer that gives a glimpse of the film’s animation style and humor.
Marketing has aimed at families with young kids and sneakerheads, with exclusive preview events at limited footwear retailers and basketball arenas seeking to hit the film’s intersection with sneaker culture.
Sneaks Storyline
The animated film follows Ty, a designer sneaker who has yet to emerge from his plush velvet-lined box. When his sister, Maxine, is stolen by a nefarious figure called The Collector, Ty must confront his fears and travel through New York City to save her.
Ty, the sheltered sneaker who comes to life and must learn the streets of New York quickly, is voiced by Anthony Mackie. Chloe Bailey is Maxine, Ty’s fierce sister. The siblings are separated when the rare sneakers are taken by The Collector (Laurence Fishburne), who believes rare sneakers are valuable treasures worth collecting at any cost.
During his search, Ty encounters JB, a streetwise, slightly scuffed-up Sneaker (Martin Lawrence). JB guides Ty through the city, showing him that adventure starts when you venture outside your comfort zone. Their friendship is the movie’s emotional heart, as they meet various footwear characters from multiple backgrounds.
“This story is about finding your place in the world and being brave enough to take that first step,” says director Rob Edwards. “We wanted to create an experience that resonates with kids and parents about the importance of friendship and believing in yourself.”
Meet The Star-Studded Voice Cast Behind “Sneaks”
The movie also features an incredible cast of talent to play out this footwear adventure. Anthony Mackie stars as Ty, while Martin Lawrence voices JB, the worldly sneaker who befriends and mentors Ty. Chloe Bailey voices Maxine, Ty’s sister, whose disappearance prompts the adventure.
Laurence Fishburne is The Collector’s producer and voice, the movie’s main villain. Keith David voices O.G., a vintage sneaker wise in the ways of those who wear him. Also, the cast includes the NBA star Chris Paul, appearing as himself in a unique guest role that bridges animated sneakers to basketball culture.
The film’s musical elements also get some star-studded help from a talented group of recording artists. The voice cast features Swae Lee as Edson, Macy Gray as Adriana, Ella Mai as Britany, and Mustard as a singing wire shoe. DiCaprio plays The Forger, and Quavo plays Spike. Young Miko voices Tiffany; Kiana Ledé plays Shawna.
Sports and street culture are represented through the likenesses of Sky Brown—a legendary skateboarder—and Brazilian skateboarder Rayssa Leal, who both voice characters. Radio personality and sneaker culture legend Bobbito Garcia appears as himself, lending authenticity to the film’s resonance with real-world sneakerhead enthusiasm.
Behind the Scenes of an Animated Sneaker World
Sneaks is Rob Edwards’s directorial debut. He previously wrote such films as The Princess and the Frog and Captain America: Brave New World. He co-directs with Chris Jenkins, who also worked on Home and Surf’s Up. Edwards also wrote the script, perhaps a testament to his storytelling experience with this unique concept.
The team behind the production is also a worldwide effort. Mumbai’s Assemblage Entertainment worked on the animation, with House of Cool handling the pre-production. Production companies attached to the film include Lengi Studios, Cinema Gypsy Productions, GFM Animation, and RTG Features.
“It was fun and challenging to build a world where sneakers have personalities,” Jenkins shares. “We tried to honor the actual physics and materials of real footwear while giving them expressive faces and movements that read as natural.”
The production dates back to November 2018, when longtime Pixar employee Teddy Newton was initially slated to direct. By June 2021, Edwards stepped in to direct and started making the voice cast. Voice recording began in November o024, while animation work was done concurrently.
Music is crucial to the film, with Terrace Martin composing its score and Mustard providing original songs. It intends to represent the heartbeat of New York City and the characters’ emotional journey with its soundtrack.
What Do We Take From “Sneaks”: The Themes & Messages
“What emerges is this sort of heart of ‘Sneaks’ that’s really about these themes of belonging, courage and finding your place,” Trout said. Ty starts as someone who knows little outside his shoebox, representing people who fear leaving their comfort zone.
His excursion through New York serves as a metaphor for self-discovery and growth. Ty and JB’s relationship demonstrates the importance of friendship in children of differing backgrounds.
The more seasoned JB, “streetwise” and “scuffed-up,” has experience that Ty doesn’t, and Ty brings new ideas to the duo’s exploits. They form a partnership that allows both characters to grow.
Family ties play a huge role, too, as Ty’s primary motivation is to save his sister Maxine. This quest highlights how far we will go to protect those we care about and the strength we discover in fighting on someone else’s behalf instead of our own. The film also explores the collection vs. connection debate.
To the Collector, the sneakers are toys to amass; to the story, they’re rink-a-dinkniks, and the real treasure is in the bonds we forge and our memories. We wanted kids to know that your worth is not based on your brand or how new you look,” Edwards explains. It’s the steps you take and the friends you make.
How Frequently Are Asked Questions About “Sneaks”
Is “Sneaks” suitable for children?
Yes, it is a family-friendly animated adventure appropriate for all ages. The movie deals with questions of friendship, courage, and the search for one’s place in the world.
Are the sneaker brands in “Sneaks” authentic?
Although set in the world of sneakers, the film creates original footwear. It avoids specific real-world brands to allow the story to focus on the characters’ journeys instead of product placement.
How does “Sneaks” relate to authentic sneaker culture?
The film also weaves aspects of authentic sneaker culture into its casting decisions, like the footwear enthusiast Bobbito Garcia, and the plots mirror the excitement that actual collectors have about unique and rare footwear designs.
Will there be merchandise? Like “Sneaks”?
The marketing materials show that movie-themed sneakers and toys will launch with the film so that fans can take home their versions of Ty, Maxine, and the other characters.
Is there educational value in the film?
In addition to being entertaining, “Sneaks” teaches lessons about bravery, friendship, and getting out of your comfort zone—all potential topics for parents and children to discuss, such as trying new experiences and valuing relationships.
Final Thoughts
As the release date approaches, anticipation builds for this unique animated adventure that turns everyday objects into characters with heart and humor. Sneaks is the next step in a fresh direction for family animation, pairing star power with a simplistic yet special message about finding your culinary way in life—one step at a time.
Table of Contents