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

Tom Holland’s latest Spider-Man movie will share select IMAX screens with 'The Odyssey.'
1 hour ago
A new Marvel rumor has sparked fresh speculation about Halle Berry's possible return as Storm ahead of ‘Avengers: Secret Wars.’
5 hours ago
‘Action Man’, once inspired by ‘GI Joe’, is set to dominate big screens.
6 hours ago
Marvel fans expected a familiar MCU hero in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. Here's what really happened behind the Daredevil rumors.
2 days ago
Mahershala Ali has finally addressed Marvel’s troubled ‘Blade’ reboot, and his remarks leave little room for doubt about its future.
2 days ago
Time is running out for ‘Barbie 2’. A new report says Warner Bros. faces a deadline that could put the sequel’s future at risk.
2 days ago
BookTok fan casting helped shape Netflix’s adaptation of Lynn Painter’s bestselling YA romance, with the two stars ultimately landing the lead roles.
2 days ago
The reported casting gives an early glimpse into how Marvel is shaping its new generation of mutants, with the star making her MCU debut.
3 days ago
Destin Daniel Cretton opened up about the future of 'Shang-Chi 2,' and the reasons for the delay in the sequel.
3 days ago
'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' finally answers a major question, revealing Jean Grey's tragic story and everything that happened to Sarah Grey.
3 days ago