After years of being in development, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and New Line Cinema are officially moving forward with the long-awaited Hello Kitty feature film.
The announcement was made through a video on Warner Bros.’ official Instagram page.
In the clip, someone dressed as Hello Kitty is seen walking around the Warner Bros. lot and excitedly pointing at the iconic WB water tower, which was decorated with Hello Kitty’s signature bow for the occasion. The caption read, “Hello Hollywood! #HelloKittyMovie is coming to theaters July 21, 2028!”
According to the studio, the movie will mark Hello Kitty’s first-ever Hollywood theatrical debut. “Hello Kitty and her friends embark on a cinematic adventure sure to delight audiences of all ages,” Warner Bros. said in a statement.
Unlike many recent toy-to-movie adaptations, this one will remain fully animated. The film is being directed by Leo Matsuda, while Dana Fox, known for Wicked, wrote the latest version of the script.
Producer Beau Flynn of FlynnPictureCo. has reportedly spent nearly a decade working with Sanrio founder Shintaro Tsuji to secure the rights to bring the beloved character to the big screen. Shelby Thomas will oversee the project for FlynnPictureCo.
Hello Kitty, created by Japan’s Sanrio in 1974, quickly became a worldwide cultural and merchandising sensation.
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Over the decades, the adorable white cat with the red bow has appeared on everything from stationery and toys to fashion and even airplanes. The Sanrio universe also includes popular characters like Dear Daniel and Hello Kitty’s superhero alter ego, Ichigoman.
As this will be Hello Kitty’s first theatrical adaptation, expectations are high. Many believe the movie could have a similar pop culture impact to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), which became a global blockbuster, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide.
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