Animated films, at their best, allow you to enter a world of imagination. They take you to places that you can’t find in life and can often illustrate stories in a different way. We’ve seen a variety of different types of stories for different types of audiences.

Scarlet, which got a limited release in 2025, is getting a wider release Friday. This includes a big push on IMAX, which will showcase the epic scope of the style and storytelling in the film. But is this one worth checking out? Let’s dive in.

The film focuses on Scarlet (Mana Ashida), who is a princess reeling after the death of her father. He was killed by her uncle, and she has sworn revenge. But before she’s able to get that revenge, she herself is killed, plunging into the afterlife.

While that might seem to be the end of her quest, for Scarlet it turns out to be just the beginning of a new quest. Everyone comes together in the afterlife, and it affords her a chance to complete the vow she made in life. Discovering her uncle is there, and where he’s located, she decides to move forward and make good on her promise.

Along the way, she unites with a newly deceased paramedic from the modern era, Hijiri (Masaki Okada), who has a different perspective on life and healing. As they make their way toward her uncle, Scarlet begins to rethink her mission and how she wants to spend her afterlife.

This is a fascinating film with an epic scope. It’s an animated film, but it’s not aimed at younger viewers. This is a film that will play better with adults, and likely those who are fans of this style of story and animation.

The film is a bright, colorful, and epic adventure story. Director Mamoru Hosoda does a nice job of bringing the story to life and helping craft big action sequences, many of which will play well on the largest of screens.

Scarlet missed out on an Academy Award nomination but should do well with a specific audience. It’s a bit long, and likely won’t appeal as much to a wide audience. But for fans of adventure stories like this, especially told in this style of animation, this will be a welcome addition to the early 2026 cinematic landscape.

Scarlet opens nationwide on Friday, February 6.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.