At its first-ever CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas today, Crunchyroll announced the acquisition and select theatrical dates for three new films: HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle, BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-, and OVERLORD: The Sacred Kingdom.
CinemaCon attendees were also treated to an exclusive sneak peek of the first ten minutes of the upcoming Crunchyroll film SPY x FAMILY CODE: White. The film will be released in theaters in North America on April 19.
Crunchyroll has acquired the North American and select international theatrical rights for HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle, which is based on the beloved volleyball series HAIKYU!!. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment are set to spike the film into North American theaters beginning on May 31, 2024.
The film will be available in Japanese with English subtitles and dubbed in English. The first four seasons of HAIKYU!! are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Additional international theatrical release dates for the film include:
May 30: Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland (Italian-speaking), Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru
May 31: Canada, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
June 7: Turkey
June 12: Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland (French-speaking)
June 25: Austria, Germany
June 27: Switzerland (German-speaking)
As of March 29, the film has earned over 8.5 billion yen (~$57 million USD) since opening in Japan on February 16, making it the highest-grossing movie of the Japanese box office calendar year to date.
In the movie, Shoyo Hinata joins Karasuno High’s volleyball club to be like his idol, a former Karasuno player known as the “Little Giant.” But Hinata soon finds that he must team up with his middle school nemesis, Tobio Kageyama.
Their clashing styles turn into a surprising weapon, but can they beat their rival Nekoma High in the highly anticipated “Dumpster Battle,” the long-awaited ultimate showdown between two opposing underdog teams?
AIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle was written and directed by Susumu Mitsunaka from an original story by Haruichi Furudate.
Crunchyroll has also acquired the North American and select international theatrical rights in EMEA and Latin America for the highly anticipated soccer anime film BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will bring the sports thriller to theaters in North America beginning on June 28, 2024. The film will be available in Japanese with English subtitles and dubbed in English. International dates to be announced.
The first film from the hit anime sports franchise, BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- serves as a side story to the series. It follows high schooler Nagi Seishiro as he discovers his hidden talent for soccer. The first season of BLUE LOCK is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.
“That’s a hassle.” That was second-year high schooler Nagi Seishiro’s favorite phrase as he lived his dull life. That is, until Mikage Reo, a classmate who dreamed of winning the World Cup, discovered Nagi’s hidden skill, inspiring him to play soccer and share his outstanding talent.
One day, he receives an invitation to the mysterious BLUE LOCK Project. There, he will encounter the finest strikers assembled from across the country. Nagi’s dream of becoming the best, alongside Reo, will take this prodigy to a world he’s never known.
A prodigy can only be shaped when someone discovers him….now, striker Nagi Seishiro’s incredible talent and persona will set the soccer world ablaze.
BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- was directed by Shunsuke Ishikawa from a screenplay by Taku Kishimoto and an original story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro. The manga was created by Kouta Sannomiya.
Last but not least, Crunchyroll announced it has acquired the North American and select international theatrical rights in EMEA and Latin America for the video game fantasy film OVERLORD: The Sacred Kingdom. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will distribute the isekai adventure, which will come to theaters in select territories (dates to be announced).
OVERLORD: The Sacred Kingdom, the first theatrical film from the fan-favorite OVERLORD franchise based on the light novels by Kugane Maruyama, continues the series after the conclusion of season 4. The story follows Momonga, a regular salary man who finds himself transported into his favorite video game. All four seasons of OVERLORD are now available to stream on Crunchyroll.
After twelve years of playing his favorite MMORPG game, Momonga logs in for the last time only to find himself transported into its world, playing it indefinitely. Throughout his adventures, his avatar ascends to the title of Sorcerer King Ains Ooal Gown.
Once prosperous but now on the brink of ruin, The Sacred Kingdom enjoyed years of peace after an enormous wall was constructed to protect it from neighboring invasions. But one day, this peace comes to an end when the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth arrives with an army of villainous demi-humans.
Fearing an invasion of their own lands, the neighboring territory of the Slane Theocracy is forced to beg their enemies at the Sorcerer Kingdom for help. Heeding the call, Momonga, now known as the Sorcerer King Ains Ooal Gown, rallies the Sorcerer Kingdom and its undead army to join the fight alongside the Sacred Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy in hopes of defeating the Demon Emperor.
OVERLORD: The Sacred Kingdom was directed by Naoyuki Ito from an original story by Kugane Maruyama.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills in 2018 to cover the latest news on streaming, movies, TV, and video games.