First-Ever Hello Kitty Film Announced

New Line Cinema, Sanrio and FlynnPictureCo. are teaming up to develop an English-language Hello Kitty film for the first time in her 45-year history.

Hello Kitty’s film debut will be produced by Beau Flynn and executive produced by Wendy Jacobson for FlynnPictureCo. The film will bring together Hello Kitty and other characters including Gudetama, My Melody, Little Twin Stars and others on the silver screen.

“I am extremely pleased that Hello Kitty and other popular Sanrio characters will be making their Hollywood debut,” says Shintaro Tsuji, founder, president and chief executive officer, Sanrio. “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.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Sanrio and FlynnPictureCo. on developing a film based on this treasured icon,” say Richard Brener, president and chief creative officer, New Line Cinema and Carolyn Blackwood, president and chief content officer, New Line Cinema. “It’s a rare privilege to have the opportunity to explore the possibilities of such timeless IP. Hello Kitty and her friends have been part of our shared culture for decades, and we look forward to exploring where her newest adventure will take her.”

“Hello Kitty has been one of the most beloved characters around the world for the last 40-plus years,” says Beau Flynn, chief executive officer, FlynnPictureCo. “We’re incredibly honored that President Tsuji has entrusted us with the responsibility of bringing her story to the big screen globally for the first time ever, and it’s a dream that we get to do this with our long-term partners at New Line and Warner Bros. With the positive and family-oriented values that Hello Kitty and Sanrio embody, there has never been a better time than now to share her message with the world!”

Tuesday’s announcement of the film did not indicate whether the film would be live-action or animated.