In a surprising turn of events, the R-rated animated comedy “Fixed” has found a new home on Netflix, where it will be released globally on August 13, 2025.
The film, which tells the story of a dog who embarks on a wild adventure on the eve of getting neutered, had a tumultuous production and distribution history. Initially previewed at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where Tartakovsky broke down the big beats of the story to a rapturous crowd, “Fixed” was later dropped by its distributor, New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The rights to the film reverted back to Sony Pictures Animation, where Tartakovsky had worked on the project since its inception. The film was finished in October 2023, just a few months after its initial presentation, and was subsequently dropped by its distributor.
Despite the setbacks, Tartakovsky remained optimistic about the film’s chances, stating that he had never been in a situation where a project had been so deeply ingrained in him before. “Anything I’ve ever done, whether it’s a TV show coming out for a movie, had a release date,” he said. “At a certain point, you can’t blame the buyers.”
Tartakovsky attributes the change in Netflix’s interest to the involvement of the company’s Animation Series team, led by John Derderian, who oversee adult animation for Netflix. The team’s focus on adult animation made more sense for their team, and within a few weeks, the movie had been sold to Netflix.
“I think it’s a great opportunity and they’re the biggest with content and with viewers. For this little movie to then be on the biggest stage is fantastic. I think it could be a water cooler movie. And hopefully it would grow and open up the opportunity to do more and different material, perhaps R-rated animated films,” Tartakovsky said.
For Tartakovsky, the partnership with Netflix marks a significant shift in the way he approaches his work. “I’m always bullish,” he said. “My number one fight is that I want to have the career that I have in TV, but I want to have it in features, where I have original after original. Obviously a Miyazaki model is the best thing ever. He can just make pretty much whatever movie he comes up with.”
Tartakovsky is currently working on two original animated movies, including his long-in-development “Black Knight,” and is also in development on a series for Netflix. The film “Fixed” has a voice cast that includes Adam Devine, Idris Elba, Fred Armisen, Kathryn Hahn, and Bobby Moynihan, and is known for its hilarious set pieces and emotional center.
From Concept to Reality
- Genndy Tartakovsky developed the concept for “Fixed” in 2009, initially calling it “Buds.”
- The idea was to capture the goofy camaraderie of Tartakovsky and his friends.
- Tartakovsky was struck with inspiration when an executive suggested that the project needed a stronger hook, and he asked, “What if one of them is a dog and he realizes he’s going to get neutered in the morning?”
| Year | Project |
|---|---|
| 2009 | “Buds” (initial concept for “Fixed”) |
| 2020 | “Fixed” (revived project) |
Key Takeaways
- Tartakovsky attributes the change in Netflix’s interest to the involvement of the company’s Animation Series team.
- The film “Fixed” has a unique selling point, with a strong emotional center and wildly funny set pieces.
- Tartakovsky is bullish about the partnership with Netflix, seeing it as an opportunity to push the boundaries of adult animation.
“There’s so much craft in it from the backgrounds to the character animation to the designs to everything, it’s a cartoon, which used to be a dirty word in features.” – Genndy Tartakovsky
With its unique blend of humor, heart, and hand-drawn animation, “Fixed” is poised to make a splash on Netflix. Tartakovsky’s enthusiasm and dedication to his craft are evident, and it’s clear that he’s excited for audiences to experience his creation.
“I hope people fall in love with the characters and have favorites and all that kind of stuff, that’s how you’re successful – if the characters live on,” Tartakovsky said. “Yes, they will live on, even if some of them are missing some of themselves.”
With its release on August 13, 2025, “Fixed” is sure to capture the attention of audiences worldwide. Will it be a water cooler movie, as Tartakovsky hopes?