Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and New Line Cinema have tapped David Derrick Jr. and John Aoshima as directors for Sanrio's Hello Kitty feature film.
Derrick and Aoshima will direct the film for global release on July 21, 2026. Ramsey Naito is producing, alongside Beau Flynn of FlynnPictureCo. Shelby Thomas oversees the project for FlynnPictureCo.
Hello Kitty has generated billions in merchandise and reached audiences across generations. The character's reach made the directorial selection a priority for Warner Bros., which is backing the project for global distribution.
With a summer 2026 release date set, the film is expected to be among the year's major animated releases. Speculation about the plot, voice cast, and how the filmmakers will translate the character to cinema has already begun among fans.
