'Hello Kitty' makes big-screen debut in Warner Bros.’ 2028 animated feature

Hello Kitty is finally making her way to the big screen.

Warner Bros. announced that the long-awaited Hello Kitty movie will arrive in theaters on July 21, 2028.

The animated feature, directed by Leo Matsuda, comes from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and New Line Cinema and marks the beloved character’s first major Hollywood film adaptation.

The studio revealed the news on Instagram, posting, “Hello Hollywood. HelloKittyMovie is coming to theaters July 21, 2028!”

While plot details remain under wraps, the film features a script by Wicked screenwriter Dana Fox, with Beau Flynn producing under Flynn Picture Company. Shelby Thomas will oversee the project for the production banner.

Hello Kitty, created by Yuko Shimizu and launched by Japanese company Sanrio in 1974, is a British anthropomorphised white cat named Kitty White, instantly recognisable by her red bow.

Over the decades, the character has become a global pop culture icon through animated series, video games, and a massive merchandise empire.

Plans to adapt Hello Kitty for the big screen have been in motion for nearly a decade. Sanrio first explored a film in 2015, and by 2019, New Line and FlynnPictureCo. were officially developing an English-language feature.

That deal marked the first time Hello Kitty and other Sanrio favorites like Gudetama, My Melody, and Little Twin Stars were licensed to a major studio.

“I am extremely pleased that Hello Kitty and other popular Sanrio characters will be making their Hollywood debut,” Sanrio founder Shintaro Tsuji said in 2019.

“Hello Kitty has long been a symbol of friendship and we hope this film will only serve to grow that circle of friendship around the world.”