“My Hero Academia” (MHA), also known as Boku no Hero Academia, has become one of the biggest anime and manga franchises of the past decade. With millions of fans worldwide, the series has expanded far beyond its manga chapters and TV anime adaptation. One of the most exciting extensions of the franchise is its movies. Each My Hero Academia film brings high-stakes battles, new villains, and exclusive storylines that make fans rush to theaters.
So far, three movies—Two Heroes (2018), Heroes Rising (2019), and World Heroes’ Mission (2021)—have been released, and each performed exceptionally well at the box office. As the anime enters its final saga, speculation about upcoming MHA movies has skyrocketed. Fans are eager to know: Will we get a fourth movie? What will it be about? Who will return?
In this article, we’ll break down everything we know so far about the upcoming My Hero Academia movies, including announcements, possible storylines, returning characters, release dates, and fan theories.
History of My Hero Academia Movies
Before diving into what’s next, let’s take a look at the history of MHA’s cinematic journey:
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My Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018)
- The very first MHA movie.
- Focused on Deku and All Might traveling to I-Island.
- Introduced the villain Wolfram.
- Fans loved the deeper dive into All Might’s past.
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My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019)
- Brought Class 1-A to Nabu Island.
- Featured the villain Nine, who had multiple quirks.
- Famous for its spectacular Deku and Bakugo team-up.
- Horikoshi even stated it was originally written to be “the final MHA ending,” but the manga continued.
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My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (2021)
- A global-scale story where heroes fight Humarise, a cult trying to eradicate Quirk users.
- Introduced Rody Soul, a fan-favorite original character.
- Explored themes of hero society beyond Japan.
These three films proved that the MHA franchise thrives on the big screen. With each movie, the scale got bigger, and the visuals got sharper. The success has made future films almost guaranteed.
Announcement of Upcoming MHA Movies
So, what’s officially confirmed?
In 2023, reports surfaced that Kohei Horikoshi and Studio Bones were planning a new My Hero Academia movie project. During the Jump Festa event, hints were dropped that a continuation beyond World Heroes’ Mission was in development.
While no official title or release date has been given yet, the fact that Studio Bones confirmed its interest in a fourth MHA movie has set the fanbase on fire. Some industry insiders even claim there may be multiple movies planned to accompany the manga’s final saga.
In short: Yes, new My Hero Academia movies are coming—we just don’t know how many or when exactly.
Expected Storylines & Themes
One of the biggest questions fans have is: What will the next MHA movie be about?
There are a few possibilities:
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Side Story Approach (Non-Canon)
- Like the previous three films, the new movie may take place during an anime timeline gap.
- This allows for creative freedom without affecting the main plot.
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Canon Tie-In Movie
- Since the manga is nearing its end, there’s a chance a future movie could directly tie into the final saga.
- This would give fans crucial battles and lore that strengthen the ending.
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Focus on Global Hero Society
- World Heroes’ Mission introduced international heroes.
- A new film could expand on this idea, showing Deku and others working alongside pro heroes worldwide.
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Exploring All For One & Shigaraki’s Rise
- With villains gaining momentum in the manga, an upcoming movie may showcase their background or a spin-off battle.
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Post-Final Saga Stories
- If the anime wraps up soon, the movies could explore “epilogue” adventures featuring the next generation of heroes.
Overall, fans expect themes of hero unity, sacrifice, and Deku’s growth into the world’s No.1 Hero to remain central.
Returning Characters & New Additions
Every MHA movie brings back the beloved main cast, but also introduces unique movie-only characters. Here’s what to expect:
Confirmed Returning Characters
- Izuku Midoriya (Deku) – the protagonist, carrying the torch of One For All.
- Katsuki Bakugo – Deku’s rival, whose explosive power always dominates action sequences.
- Shoto Todoroki – the cool-headed son of Endeavor.
- All Might – whether in flashbacks or present, he’s bound to appear.
- Class 1-A members – likely to play key support roles.
Likely New Characters
- Each movie so far introduced originals like Melissa Shield (Two Heroes) and Rody Soul (World Heroes’ Mission).
- Expect new allies or villains with quirks that challenge the heroes in fresh ways.
Villains
- It’s unclear who will appear, but fans predict either a movie-exclusive villain or a canon antagonist tied to All For One’s network.
Animation & Production Details
- Studio Bones continues to handle the franchise. Their reputation for fluid animation, flashy quirk effects, and cinematic battles is unmatched.
- Directors for the past films, such as Kenji Nagasaki, may return, but no confirmation has been given.
- Expect enhanced visuals, given how anime films are becoming bigger investments. The next MHA movie will likely rival Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen films in spectacle.
Release Dates & Distribution
Currently, no release date has been officially announced. However, based on past trends:
- Two Heroes: released in 2018.
- Heroes Rising: released in 2019.
- World Heroes’ Mission: released in 2021.
If Studio Bones follows this pattern, the next MHA movie could arrive in 2025 or 2026.
For distribution:
- Japanese theatrical release comes first.
- English-dubbed and subtitled versions usually release 2–4 months later.
- Streaming rights often go to Crunchyroll or Netflix after theatrical runs.
What Fans Can Expect
Fans can look forward to:
- Bigger battles than ever before, with animation pushing boundaries.
- Emotional storytelling that complements Deku’s final journey.
- New allies or villains who become fan favorites, even if non-canon.
- Potential tie-ins with the anime’s final saga, giving deeper context to the ending.
The hype will grow massively once the first teaser trailer drops—something fans are already watching for during upcoming anime events.
Fan Theories & Speculation
Since nothing official is fully revealed, the fandom has gone wild with theories:
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Theory 1: Fourth Movie as a Prologue to the Final Arc
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The movie could set up Shigaraki’s full-scale war with heroes.
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Theory 2: Bakugo’s Redemption Spotlight
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Many fans believe the next film could center heavily on Bakugo, giving him more character growth.
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Theory 3: Global Hero Team-Up
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Rody Soul or Melissa Shield may return, joining forces with Class 1-A.
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Theory 4: All Might Flashback Movie
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Some fans speculate a prequel film showing All Might’s prime days against All For One.
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No matter the direction, the speculation alone keeps the hype alive.
Conclusion
The future of My Hero Academia movies is bright. While details are still scarce, one thing is certain: the franchise’s popularity ensures that fans will get more cinematic adventures soon. From epic battles and emotional storytelling to unforgettable new characters, the upcoming movies will only strengthen MHA’s legacy.
FAQs About Upcoming MHA Movies
Q1: How many My Hero Academia movies are there so far?
There are currently three movies: Two Heroes (2018), Heroes Rising (2019), and World Heroes’ Mission (2021).
Q2: Will there be a fourth MHA movie?
Yes, Studio Bones and Horikoshi have confirmed that a new movie project is in development, though no title or release date has been revealed yet.
Q3: Are the My Hero Academia movies canon?
Most MHA movies are side stories that take place during the anime timeline, but some elements, like characters Melissa Shield and Rody Soul, are considered semi-canon.
Q4: When will the next MHA movie release?
No official date has been announced. Based on past patterns, the next film is expected around 2025 or 2026.
Q5: Where will the new MHA movie be available to watch?
It will first premiere in Japanese theaters, followed by international releases. Later, it will likely stream on platforms such as Crunchyroll or Netflix.
Q6: Which characters will return in the new movie?
Deku, Bakugo, Todoroki, All Might, and Class 1-A are expected to appear, along with new original characters created just for the film.