Hello Kitty to get her own movie in 2028

Coinciding with Hello Kitty’s upcoming birthday this weekend, Warner Bros. Animation has announced that a Hello Kitty feature film is in production and will premiere on July 21, 2028.

The announcement was posted on Warner Bros.’ Instagram account, with Katie posing in front of the iconic Burbank Studio Lot water tower, which now sports her famous red bow.

“This film marks Hello Kitty’s Hollywood debut and takes Hello Kitty and her friends on a cinematic adventure that is sure to delight audiences of all ages,” Warner Bros. said in a statement. type.

What we know so far

The film will be produced by two major film giants: Warner Bros. Animation Pictures and new line Movie. Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, formerly Warner Animation Group, produces The Lego Movie recent, DC Super Pet Alliance. New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, is best known for producing popular classic films, including Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Leo Matsuda will direct Hello Kitty’s first movie. Matsuda is a Japanese-Brazilian director, animator, and screenwriter who has previously worked on a number of notable projects, including Walt Disney Animation Studios’ big hero 6 and Zootopiaand DreamWorks Animation bad guy. Matsuda also directed Disney shorts inner workings. Beau Flynn and Wendy Jacobson will serve as producers.

Plot details for the film have yet to be revealed, but talk of a Sanrio feature film has been lingering in Hollywood since around 2015. hollywood reporter It was reported in 2019 that New Line Cinema and Flynn Films were developing an English-language feature film. Now, after several years of preparation, the film finally has a release date. This is the first time Hello Kitty and other popular Sanrio characters have been licensed by a major movie studio.

Hello Kitty’s global legacy

Hello Kitty just concluded her grand 50th anniversary celebrations. The character first appeared on the market on November 1, 1974, in a simple vinyl coin bag. Since then, Kitty has grown into a massive media and merchandise empire, accounting for nearly 76% of Sanrio’s gross profits. Her simple yet memorable face graces a variety of items, from stationery to home décor, toys, clothing, electronics and more.

Her popularity has earned her fans across generational and international boundaries. Hello Kitty was even designated as UNICEF’s Children’s Ambassador to the United States and Japan in 1983 and 1994, respectively. Hello Kitty continues to be the face of global campaigns, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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Updated on October 30, 2025