Naruto Is Officially Returning in 2026 With a New Live-Action Movie

Naruto has long been one of the most recognizable anime franchises on the planet, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. The anime wrapped up in 2017, but the franchise is set for a major comeback with a new live-action movie project. That’s right: Naruto is officially returning to the big screen in 2026.

Unsurprisingly, fans have had mixed reactions to the idea of a live-action adaptation. Still, there’s no denying it will bring fresh attention to the IP and could kick off a new wave of interest. To set the stage for what’s coming, series creator Masashi Kishimoto has shared an excited message for the community.

Quick facts

• Masashi Kishimoto’s new message supports the upcoming live-action Naruto movie.
• The movie is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.
• Casting for the live-action movie was announced on July 11, 2026.
• The project is described as a global casting search for Team 7’s three young shinobi.
• The film is being produced by Lionsgate.
• Provisional expectations point to a release window no earlier than 2028.
• More updates are expected by the end of the year, including around Jump Festa 2027.

Masashi Kishimoto Reacts to Naruto’s Live-Action Movie Return

Naruto stands as one of entertainment’s biggest ongoing properties, with a reach that extends well beyond Japan. Naruto Uzumaki has become a global face for anime culture, and much of that comes down to the manga that Kishimoto crafted, which ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014. The story’s popularity only grew further thanks to the anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot, which aired from 2002 until 2017.

Now, in 2026, the franchise is getting another large-scale chapter: Naruto the Movie, a live-action retelling of the series. On July 11, 2026, casting details for the project were officially announced, and Kishimoto—who created the world and its characters—used that moment to share his thoughts with fans. His remarks were published on the official Naruto website.

In his message, Kishimoto said he’s feeling overwhelmed in the best way, describing a chain of “miracles” happening all at once. He highlighted that his work is truly becoming a Hollywood film, and he was especially stunned that the movie will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Kishimoto also teased how much he’s looking forward to meeting the actors who will portray the series’ characters.

“Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another. My work, Naruto, is truly, truly becoming a Hollywood movie! And an even greater miracle is that the film will be directed by the one and only Destin Daniel Cretton. I still cannot believe it! If so many miracles have already come together, then let us hope for even more. I am eagerly looking forward to the miraculous encounters that will bring us extraordinary and passionate actors! I cannot wait to meet my characters in the film!” — Kishimoto’s New Message, July 11, 2026

Because the movie is built around the “World of Naruto,” it’s reasonable to expect Kishimoto to remain closely involved as the project develops. He’s a retired mangaka, which means he likely has more time to contribute than creators who are tied up with ongoing serialization. If he remains active behind the scenes, that could only help the adaptation land more faithfully.

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Everything we know about live-action “Naruto the Movie” so far

Naruto the Movie was announced today, and it’s set to be the franchise’s first live-action adaptation. That naturally raises a question for fans: why now? One possibility is timing—Netflix’s live-action One Piece adaptation, also based on a Weekly Shonen Jump series, has proven that this kind of approach can hit big. Regardless of the reason, the project’s early reveal already includes some key details.

For starters, the film is produced by Lionsgate and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Cretton is known for his work on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and that connection is part of what has fans curious about how he’ll handle Naruto’s tone, action, and character drama.

That said, the movie is still in the early phase of production. The main roles haven’t been cast yet, and a search is currently underway to find the right performers for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. The official Naruto site specifically points to a “global casting search for the three young shinobi of Team 7,” which strongly suggests the story will cover the earlier period of Naruto—likely before the timeskip.

Because production is still in pre-development, a release date isn’t set yet, and it’s unlikely to arrive anytime soon. In general, live-action films often take about a year after principal filming begins to reach theaters. Since the actors have not even been selected yet, it’s reasonable to expect a wait of at least two years, pushing the earliest release window toward 2028. Additional updates are expected later this year, especially around major fan-facing events such as Jump Festa 2027.

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Source: Naruto Official Website