Mr. Men Little Miss movie in development from Paddington producers Studiocanal and Heyday

Studiocanal and Heyday Films — the team behind the acclaimed Paddington movies — are joining forces again to adapt Roger Hargreaves’ “Mr. Men Little Miss” universe into a feature film for the first time, according to an exclusive report from Variety. The project is being developed in partnership with Mister Men Limited, part of the Sanrio Group, with the goal of appealing to both longtime fans and younger audiences.

The popular children’s book franchise, launched with the Mr. Men series in 1971 and expanded with Little Miss in 1981, has sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Known for characters defined by singular personality traits — such as Mr. Happy, Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. Tickle, Little Miss Naughty, and Little Miss Helpful — the brand remains a major force in children’s publishing, ranking as the top-selling children’s series in France and a leading preschool brand in the U.K.

Since Sanrio acquired the property in 2011, the “Mr. Men Little Miss” world has broadened across fashion, toys, beauty, and entertainment. With more than 90 characters now in the catalogue, including cultural-themed editions, the franchise maintains strong audiences across Europe, Australia, and Asia. The upcoming film will build on the existing animated series streaming on YouTube and a second TV series currently in production.

Producers say the movie aims to capture the humor and charm that made the books iconic, similar to the tone and approach of the Paddington films. Adam Hargreaves — who continued the series after the death of his father, creator Roger Hargreaves — expressed excitement at seeing the characters transition to the big screen, noting that his father “would have been thrilled.”

Heyday’s David Heyman described the franchise as a “globally beloved” opportunity for a creative and imaginative adaptation. Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh echoed that sentiment, calling the project an “incredible privilege” that promises joy and adventure for audiences of all ages. Sanrio CEO Tomokuni Tsuji added that the film supports the company’s long-term vision to expand its IP into new global entertainment platforms.

Studiocanal executives Ron Halpern (EVP of global production) and Joe Naftalin (SVP and head of U.K. film production) will oversee the feature for the studio. The project also follows Studiocanal and Heyday’s continued expansion of the Paddington universe, including the recent Paddington in Peru, a planned animated movie, and a West End stage musical.