Hello Kitty’s Big-Screen Debut: A Family Movie for Every Generation
Warner Bros announced that a movie, based on Sanrio’s most popular character, is scheduled for a July 2028 release
Parents who grew up collecting Hello Kitty notebooks and plush toys will soon share the magic with their kids — on the big screen.
On October 30, Warner Bros. announced that it’s all systems go for Sanrio’s most beloved icon, with the Hello Kitty movie set to open in July 2028.
What We Know So Far
On Instagram, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema — who are producing the animated film — wrote: “Hello Hollywood. #HelloKittyMovie is coming to theaters July 21, 2028!”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will be directed by Leo Matsuda, with Dana Fox (writer of Wicked) on board as screenwriter. Beau Flynn and Shelley Flynn of Flynn Picture Company are producing the movie.
This isn’t the first time a Hello Kitty movie has been in the works. Back in 2015, news of a feature film first surfaced, and by 2019, New Line Cinema and Flynn Picture Company were developing an English-language adaptation. This marks the first time that Hello Kitty and its Sanrio friends have been licensed to a major Hollywood studio.
Sanrio founder Shintaro Tsuji expressed his excitement back then, saying, “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.”
Hello Kitty’s Worldwide Popularity
Since her creation in 1974 by Yuko Shimizu, Hello Kitty — the British-inspired white cat with a red bow — has become a global pop culture icon. Over the decades, she’s appeared on countless merchandise lines, television shows, and collaborations with brands like Adidas and Uniqlo.
Her appeal spans generations, symbolizing kindness, friendship, and nostalgia — values that continue to resonate with both parents and children today.
A Family Movie Worth Waiting For
While fans will need to wait a few more years to see what story Hello Kitty brings to the big screen, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy her charm in the meantime — from her animated series to the adorable merchandise we all know and love.
For parents who remember Hello Kitty from their own childhood lunchboxes and notebooks, this movie is a sweet reminder that some icons truly never fade — they just find new ways to bring families together.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Warner Bros and New Line Cinema announced the Hello Kitty movie is coming in July 2028.
No plot has yet been revealed, but it was reported that as early as 2015, there were talks in putting Hello Kitty as a film in Hollywood.
Hello Kitty is one of many characters under Sanrio and has been the face of the company. Other Sanrio characters include Keroppi, Kuromi, My Melody, and Badtz-Maru.
