Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda’s upcoming animated film Scarlet will arrive in North American theaters on December 12, 2025. Sony Pictures, co-producing and co-financing the project with Studio Chizu and Nippon TV, confirmed the date on Monday.
Sony will handle global distribution outside Japan, where Toho will release the film theatrically. Positioned during the end-of-year holiday period, Scarlet enters a competitive release window often associated with major studio films.
The film is described as the story of a brave princess who transcends time and space. Further details remain limited, maintaining Hosoda’s typical approach of revealing themes closer to release.
Hosoda’s career spans internationally celebrated titles, including The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), Summer Wars (2009), Wolf Children (2012), The Boy and the Beast (2015), and Belle (2021). His 2018 feature Mirai was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 91st Academy Awards, marking a significant milestone for both Hosoda and Studio Chizu.
His most recent film, Belle, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and became the highest-grossing release of Hosoda’s career. Belle portrayed a story blending digital culture and personal identity through the experiences of a young high school student navigating a virtual world. Its success reinforced Hosoda’s reputation for blending technology-centered narratives with personal storytelling.
Yuichiro Saito and Nozom Takahashi of Studio Chizu are producing Scarlet, alongside Toshimi Tanio of Nippon TV. Studio Chizu has been central to Hosoda’s creative process, providing a platform for animated features that often draw from real-world family dynamics and contemporary social concerns.
Many of Hosoda’s works reflect observations from his own life, including experiences as a parent. Films such as Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast show how relationships shape young lives, a recurring element that connects much of his filmography.
While Scarlet‘s full plot remains under wraps, its description suggests themes involving personal courage and transformations across different eras. The production continues Hosoda’s preference for mixing fantastical elements with emotional storytelling rooted in personal stakes.
Sony’s collaboration with Studio Chizu signals a continuing investment in international animation at a time when global audiences show growing interest in original animated features outside traditional Western franchises.
Scarlet is scheduled for release on December 12, 2025.
