It’s an incredible time to be an anime fan! The industry is going through a massive shift as our favorite series get the live-action treatment, while recent hits are already locking in second seasons. Hollywood and major streaming platforms have finally realized the massive potential of the anime world and we owe a lot of that to the groundbreaking success of Netflix’s One Piece. Let’s dive into what’s coming next.
Let’s dive into the most anticipated upcoming anime live-action adaptations hitting our screens this year and next.
1. One Piece (Netflix) — Season 3
After years of fans facing disappointment with anime live-action adaptations, Netflix’s One Piece series has completely changed the game, paving the way for a new era of adaptations. Following the massive success of seasons 1 and 2, Netflix has officially greenlit a third season.
The upcoming season is set to focus primarily on the massive Battle of Alabasta arc, and fans can look forward to seeing several iconic new characters added to the show.
2. Blue Lock
If you thought One Piece was the only massive live-action project to watch out for, think again. The ultimate soccer thriller, Blue Lock is officially sprinting into reality with a live-action blockbuster film hitting theaters in August 2026! Backed by the powerhouse production team at CREDEUS and featuring a star-studded cast led by Fumiya Takahashi as Isagi, the movie promises to bring the intense, high-stakes 'Egoist' selection process to life. The official trailers look absolutely phenomenal proving that sports anime can look just as epic on the big screen as fantasy blockbusters.
3. Naruto
For a generation of anime fans, Naruto was the ultimate childhood gateway—a story where we literally grew up alongside the characters. Now, fans will finally get to experience the beloved Hidden Leaf Village and Naruto himself brought to life on the big screen.
Lionsgate has officially signed Destin Daniel Cretton to write and direct the live-action blockbuster. This is monumental news for the community; his incredible work helming Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings proved he can effortlessly balance fast-paced martial arts with deep human drama. Best of all, original creator Masashi Kishimoto is heavily involved in the filmmaking process as a creative consultant, giving fans absolute confidence that the movie will protect the spirit of the original masterpiece.
4. My Hero Academia
To all the My Hero Academia fans out there who are feeling emotional about saying farewell to their favorite anime dry your tears, because there is a massive surprise waiting for you! The journey isn't over. Netflix is officially moving forward with a live-action My Hero Academia feature film.
And they aren't cutting any corners here. They’ve hired director Shinsuke Sato, the genius who directed the phenomenal Alice in Borderland series alongside the brilliant live-actions of Bleach and Kingdom. On top of that, the project is backed by Legendary Entertainment—literally the studio that gave us Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong. Get ready, because Class 1-A is going Plus Ultra on the biggest screen possible.
