The classic anime films of Hayao Miyazaki and others are set to be offered for streaming for the first time, as HBO Max has landed the rights to the Studio Ghibli library. The films were previously only available on physical DVDs and in theaters thanks to a deal between Fathom Events and Ghibli’s GKid, under the Studio Ghibli Fest banner. (There aren’t any Studio Ghibli Fest screenings planned for 2020, at this time. But the program has not ended, according to a source at GKids, as confirmed by Polygon.)
HBO Max’s chief content officer, Kevin Reilly, announced:
Studio Ghibli
“Studio Ghibli films are visually breathtaking, completely immersive experiences. 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.”
Studio Ghibli chairman Koji Hoshino added:
“We are excited to be working with HBO Max to bring the complete collection of Studio Ghibli films to streaming audiences in the US. As a premium content brand, HBO Max is an ideal home for our films. Upon launch of the service this spring, existing Ghibli fans will be able enjoy their favorites and delve deeper into the library, while whole new audiences will be able to discover our films for the first time.”
Here is the complete list of titles from Studio Ghibli that will be available on HBO Max:
Studio Ghibli
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 (launching fall 2020)
With the exception of ‘The Wind Rises’, the other titles are expected to be available at launch. Isao Takahata’s ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ is not included, as Studio Ghibli did not produce it and doesn’t hold the rights. That film is available to stream now on Hulu.
Jax's earliest memory is of watching 'Batman,' followed shortly by a memory of playing Batman & Robin with a friend, which entailed running outside in just their underwear and towels as capes. When adults told them they couldn't run around outside in their underwear, both boys promptly whipped theirs off and ran around in just capes.
