By Kayla DeKraker
We just got more details about the upcoming live-action HELLO KITTY movie.
It’s set to release in theaters July 28, 2028. Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Sanrio are developing the movie. David Derrick Jr. and John Aoshima will direct. Derrick Jr. previously worked on MOANA 2 as well as ENCANTO and RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON. Aoshima contributed to ULTRAMAN: RISING, which was a Children’s & Family Emmy Winner. The script is currently being written by Jeff Chan.
This will be the iconic cat’s first big-screen appearance, but she and her fellow Sanrio characters have been around since the ’70s.
Hello Kitty made her first debut as a character in 1974 by Japanese company Sanrio. The Hollywood Reported explained, “Yuko Shimizu created the flagship character as a British anthropomorphized white cat named Kitty White who wears a red bow. Hello Kitty has spawned a number of animated series and an extensive line of merchandise.”
Related: HELLO KITTY Movie Coming in 2028
“I am extremely pleased that Hello Kitty and other popular Sanrio characters will be making their Hollywood debut,” said Shintaro Tsuji, founder of Sanrio, previously. “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 popularity has been massive, with over 50,000 kinds of merchandise sold yearly in over 130 regions around the world.
Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema announced the HELLO KITTY project last year on Instagram.
“Seated. Sat. Ready. Don’t care if it’s 2 years from now. 🎀💖” one fan said. Another added, “Been waiting for this follow up announcement for years!!! So, nice to know the project is coming out in 2028!” Someone else chimed in “I always wanted to see an official Hello Kitty movie. I’m sooo glad they’re making it!!!❤️❤️❤️”
The HELLO KITTY movie joins the growing trend of classic toys becoming movies. BARBIE in 2023 really kicked off the craze, and there are other projects in the works, including movies like MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, CARE BEARS, G.I. JOE, MAX STEEL, BARBIE and MY LITTLE PONY, among others.
“Partly this is about finding new sources of familiar IP to exploit. That means striking a balance between entertainment values and brand value,” Fast Company writer Rob Walker posited about the popularity of these kinds of movies.
They also play on the nostalgia as adults who grew up playing with toys like Hello Kitty, Barbie, Hot Wheels cars or Polly Pockets are now a major part of the movie-going audience.
While further details about HELLO KITTY are scarce, fans can’t wait to see the beloved character make her theatrical debut!
Read Next: Your Favorite Toys Are Being Turned Into Movies
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