The eagerly anticipated Hello Kitty movie is set to charm audiences worldwide, with Warner Bros. preparing to unleash director Leo Matsuda's animated masterpiece into theaters on July 21st, 2028. The studio took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce the release date for this joint venture between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and New Line Cinema, adapted from the iconic feline character that has captivated hearts for decades.
Although the plot details are still under wraps, with a script penned by the Wicked screenwriter Dana Fox, Beau Flynn is producing the project, and Shelby Thomas will oversee it for Flynn Picture Company. The caption for the studio's social media post reads, "Hello Hollywood, it's official! HelloKittyMovie is bound for the big screen on July 21st, 2028!"
Sanrio first introduced the Hello Kitty property in 1974, and plans for a film adaptation have been in the works for over a decade. Yuko Shimizu created the beloved character as a British anthropomorphic white cat named Kitty White, adorned with a striking red bow. Hello Kitty has since spawned numerous animated series and an extensive range of merchandise, solidifying its status as a cultural icon.
Back in 2015, when news first broke that Sanrio was eyeing a film adaptation, The Hollywood Reporter reported four years later that New Line and FlynnPictureCo. were developing an English-language feature, marking the first time that Hello Kitty and other popular Sanrio characters like Gudetama, My Melody, and Little Twin Stars were licensed to a major film studio.
"I am thrilled that Hello Kitty and other beloved Sanrio characters will be making their Hollywood debut," said Sanrio founder Shintaro Tsuji in a statement in 2019. "Hello Kitty has long been a symbol of friendship, and we hope this film will only serve to expand that circle of friendship around the world."
Meanwhile, FlynnPictureCo. is currently in post-production on Disney's live-action adaptation of Moana, starring Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga'aia, directed by Thomas Kail, which hits theaters on July 10th, 2026.
