Gorillaz Unveil Epic Eight-Minute Short Film ‘The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God’ Ahead of Ninth Album

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In a bold return to their hand-drawn roots, Gorillaz have announced a sprawling new animated short film titled The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God. The eight-minute film serves as the visual centerpiece for the virtual band’s upcoming ninth studio album, The Mountain, set for global release on February 27, 2026.

A Retro Shift in Style

The film marks a significant aesthetic departure for the band. Moving away from the high-gloss 3D and mixed-media visuals of recent phases, Jamie Hewlett has opted for a classic, hand-drawn look inspired by the mid-century animation of Hanna-Barbera and Disney classics like The Jungle Book and 101 Dalmatians.

A 30-second teaser released today features a heavy film grain, dramatic scratchy voiceovers, and a sense of “historical mystery,” suggesting that the band is digging into a “vault” of visual history to match the album’s themes of reincarnation and memory.

The Three-Song Narrative Arc

Named after three central tracks from the album, the film provides what Hewlett describes as a “condensed explanation” of the record’s core story. Each segment features a unique list of legendary collaborators:

  • “The Mountain”: Featuring the late Dennis Hopper, Ajay Prasanna, Anoushka Shankar, and the Bangash brothers. The track uses an unused vocal take from Hopper originally recorded during the Demon Days sessions.

  • “The Moon Cave”: A disco-infused track featuring the voices of Asha Puthli, Jalen Ngonda, Black Thought, and posthumous appearances by Bobby Womack and Dave Jolicoeur (Trugoy the Dove) of De La Soul.

  • “The Sad God”: The album’s closing track, featuring Black Thought, Ajay Prasanna, and Anoushka Shankar. Hewlett describes this segment as the perspective of an “outgoing deity” who has abandoned mankind, asking, “What have you done?”

A Record of Sorrows and Rebirth

The project is deeply personal for creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. Written and recorded following the deaths of both of their fathers, The Mountain explores loss through the lens of Eastern philosophy and reincarnation.

Recording took the duo across the globe—from their own Studio 13 in London to Mumbai, New Delhi, and the Amber Fort in Rajasthan. Albarn has described the album as a “paradigm shift” for the band, utilizing five languages (English, Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, and Yoruba) and blending traditional Indian instrumentation with Gorillaz’s signature electronic-pop grit.

How to Watch

Fans will have two primary ways to experience the short film:

  • Theatrical Premiere: An exclusive screening event will take place at Alamo Drafthouse theaters on February 26, 2026.

  • Global Release: The film will debut on the official Gorillaz YouTube channel at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET on February 27, coinciding with the album’s release.

With its star-studded posthumous features and a return to the “soul” of hand-drawn animation, The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God is being hailed by early critics as a “rich, rewarding take on living with and after loss.” For a band that has always defined the future of digital avatars, this look back at traditional artistry may be their most “spiritually restorative” work to date.