Mamoru Hosoda’s next anime film ‘Scarlet’ to hit US theatres on December 12

Mamoru Hosoda, one of Japan’s most respected anime directors, is returning to the big screen with his new film titled Scarlet. Sony Pictures has officially announced that the movie will release in theatres across North America and other countries on December 12, 2025. In Japan, it will release a few weeks earlier on November 21, 2025.
Scarlet tells the story of a strong and brave princess who travels through time and space. It will explore deep themes like life and death, along with action and romance. Hosoda has shared that Scarlet is not made in traditional 2D anime style, nor is it like Hollywood CGI. He says it will have a “completely new look” that is different from anything he has done before.
Scarlet is being co-produced by Sony Pictures, Studio Chizu, and Nippon TV. Sony will handle global distribution, while Toho takes care of the Japanese release. Hosoda is once again working with producer Yuichiro Saito, with whom he co-founded Studio Chizu back in 2011.

Scarlet will be Hosoda’s first movie after his 2021 hit Belle, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and earned over $65 million worldwide. Many fans and critics are excited to see what the director will do next, especially since Scarlet is said to be based on a globally known classic story.
Hosoda is known for his movies like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, and Mirai, which was nominated for an Oscar. For the last 20 years, his films have explored virtual worlds, emotional family stories, and important life questions. This time, he seems to be trying something even more unique.