Anthony Mackie and Martin Lawrence Step into Sneaks, an Animated Film About Sneakers

If you’ve been hoping to see a movie with loads of sole this year, then Briarcliff Entertainment has the perfect fit. The independent film company has given audiences a ‘sneak’ peek at their upcoming animated film titled Sneaks– a fun story about a rag-tag group of footwear friends who embark on an adventure to find a stolen sneaker.

While a movie about talking sneakers may not have been on your radar, it features a surprisingly large cast of well-known voice actors. These include names like Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne (John Wick: Chapter 4) as The Collector, Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Brave New World) as Ty, Martin Lawrence (Bad Boys: Ride or Die) as J.B., and Chloe Bailey (Swarm) as Maxine. Even basketball player Chris Paul appears as the animated version of himself in the upcoming film, as does DJ and record producer Mustard.

Essentially, the film follows a pair of one-of-a-kind sneakers that a young sneakerhead was fortunate enough to win at a convention. Of course, a pair so rare is bound to be coveted, and that’s where Laurence Fishburne’s character, The Collector, enters the picture. He is the primary antagonist of this story and will stop at nothing to get his hands on the special sneakers.

The collector steals the shoes but loses one during his escape, leading to a wild journey for the shoes themselves—yes, the film is actually about talking sneakers and not so much about the humans involved.

According to the film’s official synopsis, “Sneaks follows the adventures of Ty, a misguided designer sneaker who doesn’t know life outside the comforts of his velvet-lined shoebox. After his sister is stolen by a shady collector, Ty must venture into N.Y.C. to find and rescue her. In his adventure, Ty meets a rag-tag group of footwear friends from all walks of life who help him find the courage to step outside of his shoe box and find his ‘sole-mate’.”

While the movie may not be contending for any awards, and the animation is reminiscent of a Nickelodeon production from the 2000s, it offers a unique and intriguing perspective on sneaker culture. Before you decide whether to catch it when it releases on April 18, 2025, it’s definitely worth watching the trailer below.