Universal Pictures has released the first Not Alone trailer, offering an early look at Illumination’s next animated feature and setting up a colourful sci-fi romance led by Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez. The movie was first announced during the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and the teaser gives audiences nearly three minutes of footage from the upcoming animated film. Although it is officially described as a teaser trailer, the preview offers a strong sense of the movie’s tone, story and emotional centre.
Not Alone follows two rocket scientists whose professional mission quickly becomes tangled with romance, alien chaos and an interplanetary escape plan.
Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez Lead Not Alone
In his first feature-length animated film role, Timothée Chalamet voices Joe, an introverted rocket mechanic who lives a quiet and isolated life. Joe appears to be more comfortable with machines than people, making him an unusual but sympathetic lead for Illumination’s new sci-fi story.
Selena Gomez voices Fran, an astro-botanist working on a revolutionary plant-fueled rocket. Fran is intelligent, ambitious and central to the scientific mission at the heart of the film.
The trailer suggests that Joe and Fran’s chemistry will be one of the film’s main emotional anchors. Their relationship begins with awkwardness and curiosity, but the footage hints at a growing connection between two people who are brilliant in their work but far less confident when it comes to romance.
What Is Not Alone About?
According to the official synopsis, Not Alone begins when Joe and Fran are brought together to prepare for the first launch of a revolutionary rocket. The mission is important, but their lives become far more complicated when three small aliens suddenly take refuge in Joe’s home.
The aliens, named Dunk, Welly and Shirm, are tiny, chaotic and adorable. They are on the run across space from Zandro, a determined but ineffective officer of the law.
After hiding in Joe’s home, the aliens realise that Fran’s plant-fueled rocket could be their way back to safety. That sets up a story that combines romance, comedy, science fiction and family-friendly adventure.
The Trailer Sets Up Romance, Comedy and Space Adventure
The first Not Alone trailer makes a strong early impression by blending emotional character moments with Illumination’s familiar style of visual comedy. Rather than focusing only on alien action or sci-fi spectacle, the teaser appears to place Joe and Fran’s relationship at the centre of the story. Their awkward but warm dynamic gives the film a romantic foundation, while the arrival of Dunk, Welly and Shirm adds chaos and humour.
The science fiction setting also gives Illumination room to create bright futuristic environments, unusual alien designs and large-scale space sequences. At the same time, the story seems designed to remain character-driven, with loneliness, connection and courage likely to play major roles.
Who Voices the Aliens in Not Alone?
The three alien characters are voiced by a group of British comedy actors. Rob Brydon voices Dunk, Diane Morgan voices Welly, and Jamie Demetriou voices Shirm. Their casting suggests that the alien trio will provide much of the film’s comic energy.
Meanwhile, Brett Goldstein, known for Ted Lasso and Office Romance, voices Zandro, the officer chasing the aliens across space. The supporting cast also includes Allison Janney, known for The Diplomat and Ten Things I Hate About You, along with Lamorne Morris, whose recent credits include Fargo and Spider-Noir.
Who Is Making Not Alone?
Not Alone is co-directed by Eric Guillon, Claire Dodgson and Jonathan Del Val. Guillon previously served as co-director on Despicable Me 3, while Dodgson worked as an editor on Illumination titles including The Lorax and Minions. Del Val also has experience with the studio, having co-directed The Secret Life of Pets 2.
The film is produced by Illumination founder and chief executive Chris Meledandri. Executive producers include Joy Poirel, Richard Curtis and David Distenfeld.
With this creative team, Not Alone appears to be positioned as a major original animated release for Illumination, combining the studio’s commercial style with a more romantic and science-fiction-driven premise.
Illumination Continues Its Box Office Momentum
Illumination is best known for major animated franchises such as Despicable Me, Minions and Sing. The studio has also expanded strongly through its work with Nintendo, producing The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in 2026.
The success of its recent releases has made Illumination one of the most commercially powerful animation studios in Hollywood. Its family-friendly tone, colourful animation style and strong character branding have helped its films reach global audiences. With Not Alone, the studio appears to be moving into slightly different territory. Instead of returning to an existing franchise, Illumination is introducing a new original story built around romance, science fiction and alien comedy.
Why Not Alone Could Stand Out
The biggest reason Not Alone could stand out is its unusual mix of genres. Animated family films often focus on comedy, adventure or fantasy, but Not Alone appears to combine those elements with a romantic storyline between two adult scientists. That gives the movie a different emotional angle from many recent mainstream animated releases.
The casting of Chalamet and Gomez also gives the film major star power. Both actors bring large fan bases, and their voices could help make Joe and Fran feel more emotionally grounded. If the film can balance romance, alien comedy and sci-fi adventure, it could become one of Illumination’s most distinctive original projects in years.
Not Alone Release Date
Not Alone is scheduled to be released in theaters in April 2027. The first trailer suggests that Universal Pictures and Illumination are beginning the film’s promotional campaign early, giving audiences plenty of time to become familiar with Joe, Fran and the alien trio before release.
As the date gets closer, more trailers and story details are expected to reveal how the film’s romance, rocket mission and alien chase will come together.
Final Thoughts
The first Not Alone trailer introduces a promising new animated film from Illumination, with Timothée Chalamet and Selena Gomez leading a story that blends sci-fi romance, alien comedy and emotional adventure. Joe and Fran’s awkward chemistry appears to be the heart of the movie, while Dunk, Welly and Shirm bring the chaotic energy expected from a family-friendly animated comedy. With a strong voice cast, an experienced creative team and Illumination’s box office track record, Not Alone could become one of the major animated releases of 2027.
For now, the teaser makes one thing clear: Illumination is not only returning with another big animated movie, but also trying something more romantic, strange and star-bound.