Warner Bros. Animation has given fans an exciting first look at Hello Kitty’s highly anticipated Hollywood debut through an official announcement shared online. The update, which appeared alongside other upcoming projects from the studio, confirmed that the beloved character will make her theatrical debut in summer 2028. Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema have officially announced July 21, 2028, as the release date for the film. This marks Hello Kitty’s first-ever Hollywood feature film.
The studio shared the news on Instagram, stating, “Hello Hollywood #HelloKittyMovie is coming to theaters July 21, 2028!” According to Warner Bros., the film “celebrates Hello Kitty’s Hollywood debut as she and her friends embark on a cinematic adventure that’s sure to delight audiences of all ages.” The project has been in development for several years. In 2019, New Line acquired the film rights from Sanrio, making this the first time the Japanese company licensed its characters for a major motion picture.
Director Leo Matsuda, known for Disney’s Inner Workings, is leading the project. The screenplay was written by Dana Fox, the talent behind Wicked. The film is produced by Beau Flynn of FlynnPictureCo., following nearly a decade of securing rights from Sanrio founder Shintaro Tsuji. Shelby Thomas is overseeing production for FlynnPictureCo., which previously worked on Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana, slated for release in July 2026.
Sanrio introduced Hello Kitty in 1974 and quickly turned her into a worldwide merchandising phenomenon. The brand expanded into themed cafés, amusement parks, and video games. Sanrio has also licensed other characters like My Melody, Gudetama, and Little Twin Stars, sparking speculation about their potential roles in the upcoming movie.
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and New Line Cinema are producing the animated feature, set to be one of the studio’s major summer releases in 2028.
- Email: neill@outloudculture.com
- Socials: @frazer.live
- @neill.outloud
