Beloved animation house Studio Ghibli have built an unimpeachable reputation thanks to their proven track record over the last few decades, but their films have been notoriously hard to stream in North America. That will change next year thanks to a deal with HBO Max.
The budding WarnerMedia streaming service has secured the American rights to Studio Ghibli's catalogue. Nearly the entire output of the studio — a sprawling 21 films — will be available when HBO Max launches in the spring.
"Studio Ghibli films are visually breathtaking, completely immersive experiences" said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer of HBO Max. "Exciting, enchanting, and deeply humanistic, these wonderful films have captured people's hearts around the world, and we are proud to showcase them in an accessible way for even more fans through HBO Max."
The deal comes as something of a surprise, as Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has often spoken out against allowing his films to be streamable in North America.
Whatever the case, a deal has been set and the following films will be available on HBO Max at launch in the United States:
Castle in the Sky
The Cat Returns
From Up On Poppy Hill
Howl's Moving Castle
Kiki's Delivery Service
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Ocean Waves
Only Yesterday
Pom Poko
Ponyo
Porco Rosso
Princess Mononoke
The Secret World of Arrietty
Spirited Away
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Tales From Earthsea
When Marnie Was There
Whisper of the Heart
The Wind Rises
As of press time, it's unclear what the HBO Max plan will be in Canada.
The budding WarnerMedia streaming service has secured the American rights to Studio Ghibli's catalogue. Nearly the entire output of the studio — a sprawling 21 films — will be available when HBO Max launches in the spring.
"Studio Ghibli films are visually breathtaking, completely immersive experiences" said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer of HBO Max. "Exciting, enchanting, and deeply humanistic, these wonderful films have captured people's hearts around the world, and we are proud to showcase them in an accessible way for even more fans through HBO Max."
The deal comes as something of a surprise, as Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has often spoken out against allowing his films to be streamable in North America.
Whatever the case, a deal has been set and the following films will be available on HBO Max at launch in the United States:
Castle in the Sky
The Cat Returns
From Up On Poppy Hill
Howl's Moving Castle
Kiki's Delivery Service
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Ocean Waves
Only Yesterday
Pom Poko
Ponyo
Porco Rosso
Princess Mononoke
The Secret World of Arrietty
Spirited Away
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Tales From Earthsea
When Marnie Was There
Whisper of the Heart
The Wind Rises
As of press time, it's unclear what the HBO Max plan will be in Canada.