The beloved blue robotic cat is finally getting a big-screen moment in India. ‘Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil’ is set to release in cinemas across the country on October 2, 2026. TV Asahi and PVR INOX Pictures will distribute the film, marking the franchise’s first-ever theatrical outing in India.
The film will release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, allowing audiences across different regions to watch it in their own language.
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Twenty years on TV, now on the big screen
Doraemon is not new to Indian audiences. The character has been a fixture on Indian television for over two decades. But a full theatrical release has never happened before.
This release marks the franchise’s first nationwide theatrical rollout in India after years of television popularity. For a generation of Indians who grew up watching Doraemon on Hungama TV, this is a different experience altogether. The same character, but on a 70mm screen with surround sound.
The film is the 45th Doraemon feature film and is a remake of the 1983 film ‘Doraemon: Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil’. It was first released in Japan on February 27, 2026, and ran for 102 minutes. The film earned over $25.5 million at the box office in Japan.
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What the film is about
The story begins when Nobita and his friends cannot decide where to go for their summer camping trip. They follow Doraemon’s suggestion and choose to camp in the middle of the ocean. Using the secret gadgets “Underwater Buggy” and “Adapting Ray,” they enjoy an undersea camping trip while encountering sea creatures along the way.
Their discovery of a sunken ship leads them to a mysterious young man named El. He is a “Sea Dweller” who lives in the vast undersea nation known as the “Mu Federation.” The Sea Dwellers distrust people from the surface, making it difficult for Nobita and friends to earn their trust.
Things take a dramatic turn when an urgent message arrives about the “Castle of the Undersea Devil” awakening. Believing in one another, Nobita and his friends dive into an adventure that will determine the fate of the Earth.
The film is rooted in the original manga by Fujiko F. Fujio. It is directed by Tetsuo Yajima, with screenplay by Isao Murayama.
Anime’s growing pull in India
The Doraemon release is happening at a time when Japanese animated content is finding a wider audience in India. Titles like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece have built strong followings among Indian youth over the past decade. A theatrical release of Doraemon fits into that broader trend.
For now, October 2 is the date fans are looking at. Tickets are expected to be announced closer to the release.
