The film was announced by [[Netflix]] in November 2020 with Ryan Crego as director.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/arlo-the-alligator-makes-his-debut-in-an-all-new-animated-movie-musical-and|title=Arlo the Alligator Boy Makes His Debut In An All-New Animated Movie Musical and Series on Netflix|website=Netflix Media Center|date=November 12, 2020|access-date=March 17, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112222956/https://about.netflix.com/en/news/arlo-the-alligator-makes-his-debut-in-an-all-new-animated-movie-musical-and|url-status=live}}</ref> The film's soundtrack was released by [[Capitol Records]] on April 16, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/trailer-netflix-sets-arlo-the-alligator-boy-premiere-ost/|title=Trailer: Netflix Sets 'Arlo the Alligator Boy' Premiere, OST|date=March 17, 2021|first=Mercedes|last=Milligan|website=[[Animation Magazine]]|access-date=March 17, 2021|archive-date=March 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317185201/https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/trailer-netflix-sets-arlo-the-alligator-boy-premiere-ost/|url-status=live}}</ref>
