The live-action Naruto film just gained its most concrete casting lead yet. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Charles Melton — Emmy-nominated for Beef, previously on Riverdale — is in final negotiations to play Kakashi Hatake in Lionsgate's adaptation, directed by Shang-Chi's Destin Daniel Cretton. Treat it as a strong rumor until the studio confirms, but the pieces are lining up.
Quick answer
According to SenpaiRanks, the live-action Naruto film is a Lionsgate production directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, written by Tasha Huo, with producers including Avi Arad. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Charles Melton is in final talks to play Kakashi, while a global search continues for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. No release date is set. The source anime — Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto (manga 1999-2014) — holds a 7.74 adjusted score on SenpaiRanks.
Reading the casting
Kakashi is a smart first anchor. He's the adult in the room, the audience's entry point into the ninja world, and a name mainstream viewers half-recognize even if they've never watched the show. Casting a proven dramatic actor there — rather than leading with a teen Naruto — signals Lionsgate wants credibility before spectacle. Cretton directing keeps it inside the same filmmaking lane that made Shang-Chi work as a martial-arts blockbuster.
What's still unknown
The three lead genin are the whole ballgame, and they're still open. THR frames the Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura search as global and ongoing, with supporting roles to follow. Until those land — and until a release window appears — this is a project taking shape, not a movie with a date.
Where to watch Naruto while you wait (and how it ranks)
The original series is the homework, and it's easy to find: Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden stream on Crunchyroll, and in many regions on Netflix and Hulu — platform-neutral, the way a where-to-watch answer should be. On the ranking side, SenpaiRanks tracks Naruto at a 7.74 adjusted score, and our dual-axis board lets you see Consensus (how broadly loved) against Quality (how it holds up on rewatch) instead of one blended MyAnimeList number. Disagree with where it sits? Rate it on its ranking page and your vote counts.
For the next chapter, our Boruto: Naruto Next Generations where-to-watch and watch-order guide picks up after Shippuden, and the best shonen anime of 2026 board puts the whole genre in one ranked list. Naruto ran in Weekly Shonen Jump for 15 years — on the business side, see our read on Jump's print circulation slipping below one million. For another modern crossover hit worth ranking, our Spy x Family where-to-watch and ranking guide.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Charles Melton confirmed as Kakashi?
A: Not officially. The Hollywood Reporter says he's in final negotiations for the role; Lionsgate has not confirmed casting.
Q: Who is directing the live-action Naruto movie?
A: Destin Daniel Cretton, director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, from a script by Tasha Huo.
Q: When does the live-action Naruto film come out?
A: No release date has been announced. Casting for the three leads is still underway.
Q: Where can I watch the Naruto anime?
A: Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden stream on Crunchyroll, with availability on Netflix and Hulu in many regions.
Q: Is Naruto good?
A: It holds a 7.74 adjusted score on SenpaiRanks. You can rate it yourself on its ranking page to weigh in.