Sanrio brings Mr. Men Little Miss to the big screen

Mister Men, a Sanrio Group company, is set to develop a Mr. Men Little Miss feature film in collaboration with production company Heyday Films and studio STUDIOCANAL.

Originally launched as a series of children’s books in 1971, Mr. Men Little Miss celebrates emotions, individuality, and universal storytelling, values established by Roger Hargreaves. Since its acquisition by Sanrio in 2011, the brand has expanded globally while staying true to its original spirit. Today, its colourful cast now spans over 90 characters, including special editions inspired by cultural figures. 

In collaboration with the studios and producers behind Paddington, the film adapts the beloved, globally iconic characters created by British writer and illustrator Roger Hargreaves. It brings the ambition, humour, and imaginative world of Mr. Men Little Miss to the big screen for the first time, offering a visual and emotional family experience that delights both children and adults.

This film builds on two recent developments in the Mr. Men Little Miss universe: the animated series currently streaming on YouTube and a second animated series in production for television. Together, these initiatives highlight Sanrio’s strategy to expand the brand into dynamic entertainment platforms while maintaining publishing as its foundation.

Blending a rich heritage with fresh storytelling, the film will honour the humour, personality and warmth that made the original characters iconic, while inviting new audiences around the world to discover Mr. Men Little Miss in a bold, contemporary and cinematic way.

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Tomokuni Tsuji, president and CEO, Sanrio, said: “We are thrilled to share Mr. Men Little Miss—one of Sanrio’s strongest IPs with British iconic roots—with audiences worldwide through this film. With more than 90 characters, Mr. Men Little Miss stories will serve as ambassadors of joy, creating smiles and widening the circle of happiness.”

“In collaboration with STUDIOCANAL and Heyday Films, whose award‑winning creativity we deeply admire, this project advances our long‑term vision to build an IP platform delivering next‑generation joy as a global entertainment company,” he added. 

David Heyman, producer, Heyday Films, said: “The globally beloved books of Mr. Men and Little Miss offer an irresistible opportunity for a bold and imaginative feature film adaptation.  I'm delighted to be partnering with STUDIOCANAL and Sanrio on what promises to be a captivating new creative adventure in the evergreen world of Mr. Men and Little Miss.”

Anna Marsh, CEO of STUDIOCANAL, chief content officer of CANAL+ and deputy CEO of CANAL+, said: We are so thrilled and honoured to be working with our close friends and partners at Heyday and Sanrio in bringing Hargreaves' wonderful and iconic characters to the big screen for the very first time. An incredible privilege, and an undeniable opportunity for joy, mischief, and adventure - that we know will inspire and delight theatrical audiences, young and old, around the world today. We can't wait to get started!”

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Sanrio for more information.

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