What's in this guide
Acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda’s loose, time-bending take on Hamlet is now streaming. Here’s the plot, cast, and where to watch Scarlet.
Scarlet Release Date
Scarlet premiered in Japan on November 21, 2025, followed by a U.S. theatrical release starting February 6, 2026. It began streaming on Netflix in the U.S. on June 6, 2026.
What’s the Plot?
Scarlet is a loose, gender-swapped reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Princess Scarlet, a sword-fighting medieval royal, sets out to avenge her father’s murder but fails and finds herself gravely injured in the “Otherworld,” a surreal plane suspended between life and death. There, she meets Hijiri, an idealistic young man from the present day who helps heal her wounds and challenges her need for revenge, forcing her to decide whether she can find a future beyond bitterness and hatred.
Cast
- Mana Ashida as Princess Scarlet
- Masaki Okada as Hijiri, a nurse from modern Japan
- Koji Yakusho in a supporting role
Director and Studio
Mamoru Hosoda writes and directs, marking his first film since 2021’s Belle. Studio Chizu, the studio Hosoda co-founded, handles animation, working from an original score by Taisei Iwasaki.
Critical Reception
Scarlet holds a 71% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes alongside an 80% audience score, a noticeably softer reception than Hosoda’s previous work; Belle, Wolf Children, and The Boy and the Beast all scored above 90% with critics. Reviewers have praised its visuals and ambition while noting the story doesn’t always land as effectively as Hosoda’s earlier, more acclaimed films.
Scarlet is a narratively ambitious take on Hamlet that delivers awe-inspiring fantasy, wondrous animation, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Where to Watch Scarlet
Want to watch Scarlet full movie on Netflix? It’s streaming there now in the US. If you don’t have Netflix, the film is also available to rent or buy digitally on Amazon, Apple, Google, and Fandango at Home.
Should You Watch It?
Worth watching for Hosoda’s ambition and the film’s striking visuals alone, though go in knowing this is a bigger departure from his family-friendly work than fans might expect, and a more divisive one critically. Best suited for viewers already familiar with his filmography rather than newcomers looking for an easy entry point.
Scarlet Movie FAQ
Where can I watch the Scarlet movie?
The Scarlet movie has been streaming on Netflix in the US since June 6, 2026. It is also available to rent or buy digitally on Amazon, Apple, Google and Fandango at Home.
Is the Scarlet movie based on Hamlet?
Loosely, yes. It is a gender-swapped reimagining, with Princess Scarlet in the Hamlet role seeking revenge for her murdered father, though Hosoda takes significant liberties with the source.
Who directed the Scarlet movie?
Mamoru Hosoda writes and directs, his first film since 2021’s Belle. Studio Chizu, which Hosoda co-founded, handles the animation, with a score by Taisei Iwasaki.
How was the Scarlet movie received?
More divisively than Hosoda’s previous work. It holds 71% on Rotten Tomatoes with an 80% audience score, notably below Belle, Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast, which all cleared 90% with critics.
Is the Scarlet movie suitable for kids?
It is a bigger departure from Hosoda’s family-friendly output than fans might expect, dealing with revenge, death and an afterlife setting. Worth previewing before watching with younger viewers.
Is the Scarlet movie connected to Belle or Hosoda’s other films?
No. The Scarlet movie is a standalone original story with no narrative link to Belle, Wolf Children, Mirai or The Boy and the Beast, though it shares Studio Chizu’s house style and Hosoda’s recurring interest in worlds layered on top of our own.
How long is the Scarlet movie and is it subbed or dubbed?
Netflix carries both the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and an English dub. If you have a preference between Mana Ashida’s original performance and the dubbed version, it is worth checking your audio settings before starting.
The Scarlet movie sits a little apart from the year's bigger anime releases. For those, see our guides to Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc.
Is the Scarlet movie in English or Japanese?
Netflix offers the Scarlet movie with the original Japanese audio and English subtitles as well as a full English dub, so you can pick whichever you prefer from the audio settings.
Is the Scarlet movie a good starting point for Hosoda?
Probably not. The Scarlet movie is his most divisive film critically, and its afterlife setting and revenge plot make it a stranger entry point than Wolf Children or Mirai. Start with one of those if you are new to his work.
