InvestiGators

InvestiGators is a 2025 American animated mystery adventure comedy film based on John Patrick Green’s children’s graphic novel series of the same name. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film is directed by David Soren, produced by John Patrick Green and Mark Swift, and written by Nicholas Stoller and Etan Cohen, and stars Karan Soni, Zachary Levi, Jack Black, Ewan McGregor, Daniel Kaluuya, Peter Dinklage, Hannibal Buress, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, Jake Johnson, Will Forte, Paul Rudd, Jason Momoa, Bob Odenkirk, and Chloe Grace Moretz. Set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals and creatures co-exist, the film follows Mango (Soni) and Brash (Levi), two alligator agents of the spy organization S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams) who are sent on a mission to stop the mysterious cracker monster Crackerdile (Black), who wants revenge on S.U.I.T..

John Patrick Green met with DreamWorks Animation on October 2021, shortly after the release of the fourth InvestiGators book Ants in Our P.A.N.T.S., to talk about making a film adaptation of the books. DreamWorks hired David Soren, who directed another children’s book adaptation, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), to direct this film, with Green serving as producer. Rather than using a computer-animated style, the film uses a traditional and outlined 2D-animated style for the characters, as well as watercolor-animated backgrounds and settings to include the feel of the graphic novels’ designs and art style.

InvestiGators had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 13, 2025, and was theatrically released in the United States on June 27. The film was a box office success, grossing $205 million worldwide against a production budget of $60 million, and received generally positive reviews from critics. A sequel is in development.

Synopsis
In a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals co-exist, S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams) is a spy organization that specializes in mysteries and world-threatening events. Mango and Brash, two alligator agents recently paired, are tasked to stop the mysterious creature Crackerdile from performing a plan to strike on S.U.I.T. and the world, alongside a team of villains secretly hidden among the city in a mystery that Mango and Brash, also known as the InvestiGators, must solve.

Voice Cast

 * Karan Soni as Mango, an alligator agent of S.U.I.T. and Brash’s partner.
 * Zachary Levi as Brash, an alligator agent of S.U.I.T., Mango’s partner, and Daryl’s former partner.
 * Jack Black as Daryl / Crackerdile, a former crocodile agent of S.U.I.T. and Brash’s former partner who got turned into a cracker monster after falling into radioactive saltine dough baked by Saul T. Byproducts. He is the main antagonist.
 * Ewan McGregor as the General Inspector of S.U.I.T..
 * Daniel Kaluuya as the Head Scientist, the head scientist of the Science Factory who helps Mango and Brash in their mission. He is later captured by Crackerdile.
 * Peter Dinklage as C-ORB / E-ORB (Computerized/Evil Ocular Remote Butler), a robotic eyeball of S.U.I.T..
 * Hannibal Buress as Sven, the designer of the A.R.M.S. (Apparel Research and Manufacturing) division of S.U.I.T..
 * Awkwafina as Monocle, the technician in S.U.I.T..
 * Keegan-Michael Key as Dr. Doodledoo, a chicken scientist at the Science Factory.
 * Jake Johnson as Dr. Jake Hardbones, a brain surgeon.
 * Will Forte as Senior Assistant Baker Bob, a Baker at Batter Down and former employee of Saul T. Byproducts’ cracker company who later betrays the Gators. His past with Saul T. Byproducts is a new element for this film. He is the secondary antagonist.
 * Paul Rudd as Bill Plungerman, a plumber who helps the Gators in their journey. At the end of the film, he becomes victim of a scientific explosion at the Science Factory during the film’s climax and becomes Hookline in the film’s post-credits scene.
 * Jason Momoa as Houdino, a physically powerful triceratops and former performer who wants revenge on the world for abandoning him with low ticket sales, becoming a theft. He is the central antagonist.
 * Bob Odenkirk as Saul T. Byproducts, a former chef and founder of a cracker company who was indirectly responsible for Daryl’s transformation into Crackerdile. He is the overarching antagonist.
 * Chloë Grace Moretz as Cilantro, a simulator operator at S.U.I.T..

Additionally, Andy Samberg and Ayo Edebridi voice Science Factory scientists Thomas Morrow and Sally Addison, respectively, while J.K. Simmons voices Chef Gustavo Mustachio of Batter Down.