French animator René Laloux's 1987 feature Gandahar—a psychedelic science-fiction epic about warriors battling mechanical invaders and traveling through time to confront a cosmic antagonist—will return to U.S. cinemas in August 2026 via Janus Films' newly restored 4K transfer. The film depicts a distant world where peace-loving inhabitants face annihilation by an army of automata and mutant races, sending one warrior on an odyssey across alien landscapes. Though Laloux's earlier work Fantastic Planet became celebrated, Gandahar languished in obscurity after its U.S. theatrical debut was severely edited and poorly distributed, surviving only in degraded home-video formats.

Laloux, who began as a woodcarver before pioneering experimental animation through psychiatric-patient collaborations, created a visually stunning film renowned for imaginative character design and surreal imagery. The 4K restoration represents a significant upgrade from the deteriorated versions accessible on streaming platforms, allowing contemporary audiences to experience the filmmaker's distinctive aesthetic as intended. The restoration launches in New York City on August 21 before expanding nationally.