'The Boy And The Heron' Will Stream on Netflix Outside the US and Japan
For a long time Studio Ghibli were extremely reluctant to embrace the streaming revolution. Hayao Miyazaki has long maintained that the cinema is the only way to experience his films. Eventually though they relented and the studio signed a deal with GKIDS Films to bring their films to streaming for the first time. The Ghibli collection came to streaming exclusively on HBO Max (as it was then) in the United States.
Shortly thereafter Ghibli signed another deal, this time with Netflix, that would see their films come to streaming worldwide outside the U.S. and Japan. This would see Ghibli reach a much bigger audience than ever before. After the initial release of the studio's movies their 2021 feature Earwig And The Witch was also added.
Netflix has now confirmed that they will also stream Hayao Miyazaki's latest Oscar/BAFTA/Golden Globe winning feature The Boy And The Heron. They have not yet revealed a date, The film's Blu-Ray/DVD release is yet to be announced, and we would imagine that would be before it hits streaming.
They have also renewed the existing deal and will continue to stream the previous 22 Ghibli Films- every one of their films except Grave Of The Fireflies which is covered by a separate deal.
The Boy And The Heron was released in Japan last July, where it is known as How Do You Live? It has gone on to gross over $167 and has become the highest grossing Studio Ghibli film in both the United States and United Kingdom. The film received its international premiere at Toronto Intenational Film Festival, making it the first ever animated film to open the festival. It also screened at the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival, the 2023 New York Film Festival, the 56th Sitges Film Festival and the 42nd Vancouver International Film Festival. On wide release in December the film became Ghibli and GKIDS first ever box-office number one at the box office.
The film features a 12-year old named Mahito struggling to settle in to a new town after his mother's death. When a mysterious talking heron tells him this mother is still alive, he enters an abonded tower to search for her, transporting him to another world.
GKIDS Films are bringing the film back to US cinemas from March 22, complete with exclusive bonus content featuring an introduction from Golden Globe-nominated composer Joe Hisaishi and a recorded drawing session from Supervising Animator Takeshi Honda. They have also confirmed that the film will be available streaming on Max in the US, although they have not announced a date.
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