CinemaCon, a prominent annual trade show for the movie industry, has become a significant event in the world of pop culture. At this platform dedicated to movies and physical theaters, Crunchyroll made a big announcement, revealing a lineup of theatrical film releases for North America and beyond.

With anime's rising popularity in global pop culture, the Sony-owned platform disclosed plans to bring beloved cult classic franchises from the 2010s and 2020s to the silver screen.

Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle

A prominent sports anime of the 2010s, 'Haikyu!!', is set to release not one but two theatrical films soon. Known for its volleyball sports manga that lasted over eight years in Shōnen Jump, this franchise blends sports intensity with comedy and relatable characters.

The first film, 'The Dumpster Battle', is a double-feature finale to the anime series and will have a limited theatrical run through Crunchyroll and Sony, premiering in North American theaters on May 31, 2024. This new film marks a perfect celebration for the tenth anniversary of the original 'Haikyu!!' anime's premiere in April 2014.

Blue Lock the Movie: Episode Nagi

Based on the ongoing Weekly Shōnen manga since 2018, 'Blue Lock' revolves around the Japanese national soccer team and their adoption of an intense training program to master the ultimate soccer strike, 'Blue Lock'.

The film, 'Blue Lock the Movie: Episode Nagi', adapted from the Nagi arc of the manga, reunites the director of the main anime series, Shunsuke Ishikawa, and the original Japanese voice staff under the close supervision of the manga's creator, Muneyuki Kaneshiro. Starting its Japanese theatrical run in April, the North American release is scheduled for June 28, 2024. A teaser trailer was recently unveiled by Crunchyroll.

Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom

Concluding the announcements is a new feature film based on the popular pulp seinen title from the 2010s, 'Overlord'. Originating from the light novel series by Kugane Maruyama, 'Overlord' was a key player in the MMO-themed isekai genre that gained immense popularity in the mid-2010s.

Set after the fourth season of the anime series, the highly anticipated 'Sacred Kingdom' film follows major factions from the Overlord universe uniting to combat an impending monstrous invasion. While the film is expected to have a late 2024 theatrical release, the specifics may vary by region. Crunchyroll has confirmed the film's distribution in select international markets, including Latin America.

• Blue Lock
• Overlord
• Haikyu!! (2014)