Mamoru Hosoda’s new dark fantasy film is set to be a blockbuster: trailer and release date for ‘Scarlet’

You might not recognize the name Mamoru Hosoda right away, but chances are you’ve encountered his work. The acclaimed Japanese director is behind fan-favorite titles like Digimon: The Movie, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. He also directed Wolf Children, a film we’ve recommended to fans of Princess Mononoke for its emotional depth and stunning animation.

Now, Hosoda is back with his highly anticipated new release: Scarlet. While European audiences will have to wait until February 27, 2026 to catch it in theaters, Scarlet is set to premiere in Japan this November and hit US theaters in December—just in time for the holiday movie season.

A dark fantasy with an edge

Scarlet is a bold, animated dark fantasy with a mature tone, centered around a medieval princess who’s a master swordswoman. After a failed mission, she tumbles into a mysterious realm known as “Otherworld,” where she meets a new companion. The story unfolds as a gripping tale of vengeance, posing a haunting question: Can Scarlet settle the score with her enemy without losing herself in the process?

Early praise and festival buzz

Already nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Sitges Film Festival, Scarlet is generating serious buzz. Early viewers have hailed Hosoda’s direction as “extraordinary in its handling of action scenes,” calling the film “a brilliant, hallucinatory experience.”

If you’re a fan of emotionally rich storytelling, breathtaking animation, and fantasy worlds with real stakes, Scarlet might just be your next cinematic obsession.

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