Warner Bros. Discovery Extends Deal With Studio Ghibli; Oscar-Winning ‘The Boy and the Heron’ to Stream on Max
Max will continue to be the studio’s exclusive streaming home in the United States with tiles including “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” and more.
Thanks in no small part to the prevalence of streaming media, anime has become an increasingly important part of the American entertainment landscape in recent years. When Warner Bros. Discovery launched the HBO Max streaming service in 2020, the iconic films of Studio Ghibili were included in the catalog. On Tuesday, WBD announced that it had extended its deal with the Japanese studio and that the recent Oscar-winning film “The Boy and the Heron” will stream on HBO Max’s successive streaming service Max.
- HBO Max became the first streaming service to carry Studio Ghibli titles when it launched in 2020.
- This new multi-year extension will keep the iconic Japanese studio’s films on Max in the United States.
- Recent Oscar winner “The Boy and the Heron” will arrive on Max on a date to be announced.
When HBO Max launched in 2020, it was the first time that Studio Ghibli titles had been available to stream. This new multi-year deal will keep Max as the studio’s exclusive streaming partner in the United States, meaning that 22 Studio Ghibli films are available to stream now, and Hayao Miyazaki’s film “The Boy and the Heron” — which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature this past weekend — will arrive on the platform at a date to be announced.
The beautiful film is Miyazaki’s first in a decade and reteams the visionary filmmaker with his long-time composer Joe Hisaishi to create a stunning vision that seems fresh and original but also pays tribute to the history of films that led to this movie.
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“Our subscribers are always looking for unique stories,” WBD VP Elizabeth Bannan Atcheson said, “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.”
Check out the trailer for the Oscar-winning film ‘The Boy and the Heron’:
For decades, Studio Ghibli has been one of the most influential and acclaimed creators in the world. Legendary animators Miyazaki and Isao Takahata have been responsible for creating some of the most-loved stories and breathtaking visuals in memory. Studio Ghibli’s timeless classics include “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Spirited Away,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” and “Ponyo.” The studio has won countless international awards including multiple Academy Awards and nominations.
What Studio Ghibili Films Will Be Available to Watch on Max in the United States?
- 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) (release date to be announced)
Max
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