Great news for Studio Ghibli fans as MAX announces new agreement to bring Japanese animated classics to US

The streamer has been the US home to the Studio Ghibli catalogue since 2020.
A still from the Oscar-winning 'Spirited Away'. (Credit: Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDTM)
A still from the Oscar-winning 'Spirited Away'. (Credit: Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDTM)

Los Angeles, California (Release): Max has announced a multiyear agreement with GKIDS to extend the exclusive US film streaming rights for Studio Ghibli, Japan’s legendary, Oscar-winning animation house. The streamer has been the US home to the Studio Ghibli catalogue since 2020, marking the first time the films were available to stream.

As part of the deal, Max will be the future home of the Oscar-winning and Golden Globe-winning film 'The Boy and the Heron', with an announcement of the Max streaming premiere date to be made later this year. This hand-drawn, original story is Hayao Miyazaki’s first feature film in 10 years, written and directed by the Academy Award-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi.

A still from 'Howl's Moving Castle' (Credit: Diana Wynne Jones/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDMT)
A still from 'Howl's Moving Castle' (Credit: Diana Wynne Jones/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, NDDMT)

“Our subscribers are always looking for unique stories, and we are happy to continue to offer these award-winning, critically acclaimed films and to add ‘The Boy and the Heron’ to our deep and rich Max content offering,” said Elizabeth Bannan Atcheson, VP, Content Acquisitions, Warner Bros. Discovery.

Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike over the last 30 years with beloved stories and breathtaking visuals. Under the brilliance of visionary animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki, the studio's films are known for timeless classics such as 'My Neighbor Totoro', 'Kiki's Delivery Service', and 'Ponyo' and have won countless international awards including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for 'Spirited Away', as well as additional Oscar nominations for 'Howl's Moving Castle', 'The Wind Rises', 'The Tale of The Princess Kaguya', and 'When Marnie Was There'.

Full list of films that will be available to stream on Max in the US as part of this new deal:

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Castle in the Sky (1986)

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Only Yesterday (1991)

Porco Rosso (1992)

Ocean Waves (1993)

Pom Poko (1994)

Whisper of the Heart (1995)

Princess Mononoke (1997)

My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

Spirited Away (2001)

The Cat Returns (2002)

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Tales from Earthsea (2006)

Ponyo (2008)

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

The Wind Rises (2013)

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)

When Marnie Was There (2014)

Earwig and the Witch (2020)

The Boy and the Heron (2023)

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Evil Dead Burn’ delivers one last nightmare after the credits, bringing back a familiar name
2 days ago
Warner Bros. is reviving a cherished classic, but fans may have to wait quite a while before it makes its way to the big screen
2 days ago
The high-stakes thriller that dives into the lives of former CIA operatives haunted by a disastrous Afghanistan mission.
3 days ago
The new 'Godzilla Minus Zero' trailer reveals the sequel's setting, returning cast, and humanity's desperate nuclear attack on Godzilla.
3 days ago
Elliot Page’s casting in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ has sparked intense fan theories and online debate ahead of the film’s release.
3 days ago
Duncan Idaho was featured in the Dune trilogy's first film as a skilled swordmaster who laid down his life to protect House Atreides.
3 days ago
'Moana,' based on the 2016 animated movie of the same name, unites the past and present versions of the character in a unique way
3 days ago
'The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen,' starring three OGs, will focus on four new girls going on an epic musical adventure
3 days ago
Connor Storrie saw a rise to fame after the success of the sports romance show, and now fans are wondering whether he was nominated for an Emmy.
4 days ago
'SOULM8TE' makes a bold comeback with a revamped release plan following the underwhelming box office performance of 'M3GAN 2'
4 days ago