Believe it! The live-action Naruto movie just took a massive leap toward the big screen. Sony Pictures has officially partnered with Lionsgate to co-finance the film and handle its international distribution, in a deal announced today, November 3, 2026. Lionsgate will continue overseeing the film's development and production and will handle domestic distribution.
At the helm is Destin Daniel Cretton, who will write, direct, and produce the adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's legendary manga. Cretton is coming off a monster run with Spider-Man: Brand New Day for Sony and Marvel Studios, which pulled in $2.52 billion worldwide. If anyone has earned the trust to bring the Hidden Leaf Village to life, it's the filmmaker behind one of the biggest superhero movies ever.
Production is expected to begin in spring 2027, following what the studios describe as a highly competitive, multi-studio bidding war. That alone tells you how hot this property is — and honestly, it should be. The original Naruto manga has sold more than 250 million copies, and its anime adaptation has reached audiences in more than 145 countries and territories. This is one of the most beloved stories in the history of manga and anime, full stop.
Cretton himself sounds like one of us. "As a longtime fan of Naruto, I've always loved that beneath the extraordinary action is a story filled with heart, humor, and humanity," he said. "Kishimoto-sensei created a world where unlikely heroes do extraordinary things, and that's what makes it so special." He added that the team is committed to capturing everything fans love while introducing the story to a whole new generation.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson called Sony "a perfect partner" for the film, praising the studio's deep expertise in manga and anime and its global distribution power. Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group CEO Tom Rothman returned the love, saying Sony is honored to be chosen and "delighted to be back in his capable hands" after this summer's Spider-Man success.
Here's what we still don't know, and it's worth being upfront about:
- No cast has been announced yet — so no word on who will play Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, or Kakashi.
- No release date has been set, though a spring 2027 production start points to a theatrical run further down the road.
- The deal was negotiated by Michael Meyer for Lionsgate, with Erin Westerman and James Myers overseeing the project for the studio.
Live-action anime adaptations have a rocky history, but this one has the pieces in place: a director who genuinely loves the source material, two studios going all-in, and a story about friendship, perseverance, and belonging that has already transcended borders, languages, and generations. The road to the Hidden Leaf just got a lot more real. We'll be watching every step of the way — dattebayo!
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