This groundbreaking animated adventure from Illumination Studios redefines the “inanimate object comes to life” genre with a heartwarming, street-smart tale set in the vibrant sneaker culture of New York City. When limited-edition basketball shoes Ty and Maxine get separated from their owner at a high-stakes sneaker convention, they must navigate the dangerous underworld of counterfeiters and collectors to find their way home. The film blends cutting-edge animation with a hip-hop infused soundtrack, creating a visually stunning love letter to sneakerheads everywhere.
Featuring an all-star voice cast of music legends and comedy heavyweights, Sneaks delivers non-stop laughs and surprisingly deep emotional moments. The animation team studied hundreds of shoe designs and materials to create distinct personalities through subtle creases, scuffs, and sole movements. Early test screenings have praised the film’s inventive world-building that turns everyday urban environments into thrilling obstacle courses from a sneaker’s perspective.
Introducing the Cast of Sneaks
1. Anthony Mackie as Ty (Voice)
The Falcon himself voices the film’s protagonist – a state-of-the-art basketball shoe who thinks he’s streetwise until actually hitting the streets. Mackie brings perfect balance of bravado and vulnerability to the high-top sneaker with custom LED lighting.
The actor recorded his lines while actually wearing the physical Ty prop shoes, claiming it helped him “feel the character’s sole.” His improvisation during the sneaker fight club scene became one of the film’s most quoted moments.
2. Chloe Bailey as Maxine (Voice)
Bailey shines as Ty’s fiercely independent sister shoe, a limited-edition designer collab with her own hidden talents. Her musical background informed the character’s rhythmic way of moving and speaking.
The singer-actress created an original end-credit song that plays during Maxine’s big dance sequence across piano keys. Animation directors studied Bailey’s own dance moves for the character’s fluid motion.
3. Laurence Fishburne as The Collector (Voice)
Fishburne’s velvet menace provides the perfect villain – an obsessive sneaker mogul who keeps rare finds encased in glass. His monologue about “the perfect pair” channels classic gangster movie vibes.
The actor based his performance on legendary record execs and actual sneaker collectors, creating a villain who’s terrifying yet weirdly sympathetic. His glass case prison is modeled after real sneaker vaults.
4. Keith David as O.G. (Voice)
The legendary voice actor steals scenes as a weathered combat boot who becomes the shoes’ reluctant mentor. His wisdom about “the circle of foot life” provides the film’s philosophical heart.
David recorded his lines while wearing actual 1980s military boots to get into character. His flashback sequence as a young desert storm boot is an animation masterpiece.
5. Martin Lawrence as J.B. (Voice)
Lawrence brings the laughs as a janky house slipper with delusions of grandeur. His “back in my day” stories about the golden age of loafers kill in every scene.
The comedian ad-libbed so many slipper-related puns that directors created a special post-credit gag reel just for them.
6. Rico Rodriguez as Ice (Voice)
The Modern Family alum voices the overconfident skate shoe who knows every inch of the city. His failed attempts at kickflips provide recurring physical comedy.
Rodriguez worked with pro skaters to understand shoe movement patterns. His character’s evolving tread wear tells a silent story of growth.
7. Jonathan Kite as Whiz (Voice)
The 2 Broke Girls star plays a hyperactive running shoe with GPS capabilities. His constant stats about mileage and pace annoy everyone hilariously.
Kite recorded some lines while actually running on a treadmill to capture authentic heavy breathing. His character’s light-up heel display spells out hidden jokes.
8. Macy Gray as Adriana (Voice)
The iconic singer voices a sultry stiletto who runs an underground shoe polish speakeasy. Her musical number about “heel pain” is an unexpected showstopper.
Gray’s distinctive rasp inspired the animators to add subtle scuff marks that resemble laugh lines.
9. Quavo as Spike (Voice)
The Migos rapper brings swagger to a gold-chained cleat who oversees the sewer sneaker gang. His trap remix of “This Is the Way We Wash Our Clothes” slaps.
Quavo insisted his character have detachable spikes that double as throwing weapons.
10. Sam Jay as Gutterball Attendant (Voice)
The comedian kills as a sarcastic bowling shoe stuck working the alley’s rental counter. Her deadpan delivery of shoe sanitation rules steals the movie’s funniest scene.
Jay’s improv about athlete’s foot had the recording crew in stitches for fifteen straight minutes.
11. Amari McCoy as Shanika (Voice)
The young talent voices a sassy kids’ light-up sneaker who knows all the playground shortcuts.
McCoy recorded while jumping rope to capture authentic kid energy. Her character’s light patterns sync to the film’s score.
12. Kiana Ledé as Shawna (Voice)
The R&B star plays a vintage Air Jordan who runs the sneaker equivalent of a beauty parlor.
Ledé’s smooth vocals inspired the animators to make her character’s movements flow like a melody.
