News

Studio Ghibli is the best animation studio in the world, and whenever there is a topic about anime movies, Ghibli Studio comes up first.

Anyone who has ever watched a single Ghibli movie must have imagined themselves as the movie’s characters because the creative animation and artwork it creates make everyone feel so alive and fresh. However, in recent times, everything has been trying to be a Ghibli character by using different AI.

Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki founded Studio Ghibli and invited another amazing animated movie director, Isao Takahata, who worked with Miyazaki to produce movies like Grave of the Fireflies.

Ghibli Movies Ranking From Worst To Best Some of the Best Studio Ghibli Movies in the Image: Image Credit: Studio Ghibli

This list will discuss Studio Ghibli Movies Ranked from Worst to Best, including the IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Fandomwire ratings.

RankMovie TitleYearDirectorIMDb RatingFandomwire Rating24Earwig and...

Japanese singer Aoi Teshima's official YouTube channel has started streaming a lyric video for her latest digital single song "Hanasaku Michi de" ("On the road of blooming flowers"), which is now featured as the ending theme for the spring 2025 TV anime Once Upon a Witch’s Death . The lyrical tune was written, composed, arranged by Yuki Kajiura. Aoi Teshima "Hanasaku Michi de" Lyric Video Once Upon a Witch's Death Creditless Ending Video Among anime fans, Teshima is best known for her insert and theme song works for two Studio Ghibli films — Tales from Earthsea in 2006 and From Up On Poppy Hill in 2011. She also voiced the main heroine Therru in the former. "Hanasaku Michi de" released digitally on April 10, 2025. "Hanasaku Michi de" digital jacket Aoi Teshima artist photo Related: Maaya Sakamoto Releases Once Upon a Witch's Death Anime Opening Song Music Video The TV anime adaptation of Saka's fantasy...

Robert Pattinson’s career path is among the most fascinating in modern Hollywood. From his initial stint as brooding heartthrob Edward Cullen in Twilight to his critically acclaimed turns in independent films, Pattinson has repeatedly chosen roles that challenge traditional expectations. Though most fans acknowledge The Batman as his ultimate departure from mainstream franchise cinema, one lesser-known film was instrumental in landing him a role in both The Boy and the Heron and The Batman.

Hayao Miyazaki’s film The Boy and the Heron. | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Recently, Gkids, Studio Ghibli’s U.S. distributor’s president Dave Jesteadt revealed that Pattinson’s role in an intense crime thriller called Good Time (2017) was a major factor in Studio Ghibli’s decision to cast him as the enigmatic Heron in Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron. This new revelation comes after, earlier, director Matt Reeves cited Pattinson’s gripping...

Few anime filmmakers can rival Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Their films are breathtaking works of art captivate and inspire, appealing to audiences of all ages with their diverse stories and stunning animation. However, anime isn’t for everyone.

Some find the style too exaggerated or dislike the recurring tropes often seen in the medium. Yet even those who claim anime isn’t for them may reconsider after watching these Studio Ghibli films, realizing the genre is far more diverse than they ever imagined.

Ponyo Will Bring the Entire Family Together for a Wondrous Studio Ghibli Adventure Streaming On Hulu

One extreme misconception those who dislike anime have is that films are for adults only. They've seen genres like ecchi and harems, and have decided from that information anime won't fit their lifestyle. However, some Studio Ghibli films are perfect to watch with the whole family.

Ponyo is the adorable...

One of the most intriguing upcoming action projects from Netflix has now been given a release window. Gloriously titled Last Samurai Standing, the upcoming series is based on the manga “Ikusagami” by Shogo Imamura and Katsumi Tatsuzawa and centers on 292 warriors who gather at a temple for a battle royale and the allure of a 100-billion-yen prize. And it has now been revealed that this hugely intriguing Squid Game with samurai will land on the streamer in November 2025.

The release window has been revealed as part of Netflix’s International release announcements (via What’s on Netflix), with Last Samurai Standing being just one of several action projects on the horizon for the streaming platform. Led by Jun'ichi Okada as our hero, who must survive the slashing of samurai swords to save his wife and child, Last Samurai Standing is set to be directed by Michihito Fujii. You can check...

Junichi Okada, who enters this dangerous game with one goal: to save his ailing wife and child.”

Who is in the cast for Last Samurai Standing?

For a long time, Junichi Okada was the only confirmed cast member. Some Netflix subscribers would be familiar with Junichi Okada if they streamed the Japanese crime-thriller Hard Days. Others may recognize him for his voice work on animated titles Tales from Earthsea and From Up on Poppy Hill. Outside of Netflix, the actor has starred in several historical dramas.

Junichi Okada shared his excitement with Netflix about the project;

“When Netflix executive producer Mr. Takahashi reached out to me, I was still acting in historical dramas. Back then, I was already thinking of ways to make this genre a hit, not just in Japan, but all over the world. I saw their potential for action, drama, social commentary, and entertainment, but I knew they could be taken further.

Tales from Earthsea is a 2006 Studio Ghibli anime film based on a collection of short stories by Ursula K. Le Guin and published in 2001. Although Studio Ghibli is commonly known for creating quality films loved across the world, Tales from Earthsea is commonly thought of as a black sheep among Ghibli's other fantastic movies. Even Rotten Tomatoes has only scored the movie at 37%.

However, while this film is far from being as amazing as some of Studio Ghibli's other masterpieces, it's far from deserving of all the hate it received. It may not have lived up to the hype of other Studio Ghibli movies, but Tales From Earthsea is still a fantastic film deserving of a second chance.

Related 10 Most Charismatic Studio Ghibli Anime Characters of All Time, Ranked

Studio Ghibli has a charming cast of characters but all for different reasons, from youthful innocence to a devoted resolve to change the world.

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by the already seasoned directors Hayao Miyazaki, who'd earned his bones at Toei, and Isao Takahata, who'd worked alongside him. With them was producer Toshio Suzuki, who, as Animage magazine editor, helped Miyazaki introduce "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind" to Japanese manga fans. While the manga wouldn't be completed until 1994, Suzuki encouraged and assisted Miyazaki in completing the film, which led to the founding of Ghibli.

Of the 24 films Studio Ghibli has produced to date — including "Nausicaa," which may have been a Topcraft and Toei production but wouldn't exist without Ghibli's founders — few are a total failure. Even the controversial Goro Miyazaki films have gleams to them that might shine brighter if he didn't have his father's massive shadow over him. But nor can a list say that they're almost all number ones, because that's not fun to debate. These rankings are subjective but...

Netflix continues to deliver in the action department, with the streaming giant having now set a 2025 release date for what sounds like a truly gripping martial arts epic. The upcoming series, superbly titled Last Samurai Standing and based on the manga “Ikusagami,” promises to deliver an “intriguing tale of survival and honor,” according to Netflix, and centers on 292 warriors who gather at a temple for a battle royale and the allure of a 100-billion-yen prize. So, think Squid Game but with samurai. We're sold.

Amid this mass fight to the death is our hero, set to be portrayed by Jun'ichi Okada, who must survive the slashing of samurai swords to save his wife and child. As per What’s on Netflix, as part of the streamer’s international release announcement, Last Samurai Standing will debut in 2025. While a more specific release date has yet to be announced, you can imagine...

Hayao Miyazaki is an eccentric man with rigid opinions. Many people from the anime industry have openly discussed how hard it is to work with Miyazaki. The director is not scared of criticizing what he doesn’t like and is famous for taking a stand against the usage of CGI in his creations.

But while his opinions about the anime industry are valid, given his expertise in the field, many are unsatisfied with the way Miyazaki treats his son. During the production of Tales from Earthsea, Goro was stuck in a dilemma as its director, but Miyazaki never helped his son and even stopped talking to Goro after the movie was released.

Why did Hayao Miyazaki Have a Fallout with Goro? Tales from Earthsea was directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Goro Miyazaki | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Tales from Earthsea is inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series and...

Earlier this week, A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin set off a drama bomb when he bluntly criticized HBO's Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon in a blog post. It's clear that he has problems with how the show has adapted his book Fire & Blood. Martin drilled down on how the show's decision to cut a certain character from the book could have negative butterfly effects down the line, and teased that there are "larger and more toxic butterflies to come, if House Of The Dragon goes ahead with some of the changes being contemplated for seasons 3 and 4."

This was surprising to hear because Martin, who's as big a celebrity author as exists right now, has always been very supportive of the TV shows based on his work. He may have expressed a quibble here and there about Game of Thrones when it was running,...

Miyazaki has become one of the most celebrated directors of kids movies for a reason, and viewers will find his films on-demand on Max.

Hayao Miyazaki has had a remarkable career. Miyazaki’s career started in 1963, and for the past six decades he has captured the imagination of audiences with his groundbreaking work. The legendary animator and filmmaker’s newest movie “The Boy and the Heron” is coming to streaming on Max on Friday, Sept. 6, joining the other Studio Ghibli titles available to stream on that service. We’ll run through the other Miyazaki films on Max below, and explain your subscription options for the streamer as well!

Sign Up $9.99+ / month Max.com Where to Stream Miyazaki’s Films:

Castle in the Sky

The Cat Returns

From Up on Poppy Hill

Howl’s Moving Castle

Kiki’s Delivery Service

My Neighbor Totoro

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Only Yesterday

Pom...

Max has shared a curated list of films available to stream on the service in Summer 2024. Max is home to Warner Bros. Pictures films, classics and new favorites from A24, the Studio Ghibli library, and award-winning films spanning multiple genres.

The platform is showcasing its vast film library with curated summer watch lists of blockbusters, horror, family-friendly films, and more.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Warner Bros. Pictures’ Dune: Part Two, the groundbreaking sequel to Dune, is now available to stream on the platform along with recent hits like Wonka and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which also has an American Sign Language (Asl) version of the film available to stream.

Viewers can also find summer favorites like Mamma Mia!, Meg 2: The Trench, A Night at the Roxbury, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Dune: Part Two

Horror fans can look to Max for their summer scares and favorite films from franchises,...

The Imaginary, a Netflix anime movie from Studio Ponoc, features a creative team with roots in Studio Ghibli. Based on A.F Harrold's children's book, the book follows a girl named Amanda and her imaginary friend Rudger, exploring the world of imaginary friends and their existence without their creator. Studio Ponoc's second feature film, The Imaginary, incorporates hand-drawn, hand-painted animation and new technology, with a focus on understanding the reality of human lives in the imaginary world.

The Imaginary, Netflix's newest anime movie from Studio Ponoc, hails from a hallowed team of creatives. Director Yoshiyuki Momose was part of Studio Ghibli for three decades, serving as key animator on iconic films such as Whisper of the Heart, Spirited Away, and Tales from Earthsea. Yoshiaki Nishimura, meanwhile, is the screenwriter and producer of the movie, as well as the founder of Studio Ponoc.

Based on the children's book by A.F Harrold,...

Every year, Nippon TV holds a 24-hour telethon designed to raise money for various environmental and disaster relief charities in Japan. This year, Studio Ghibli assisted its parent company by creating a canine mascot for Nippon TV's new charity TV shirt line.

Per Nippon TV's official website, Studio Ghibli Managing Director Goro Miyazaki recently created new artwork featuring a disgruntled-looking dog that resembles Heen, the lovable elderly dog from Ghibli's 2004 film Howl's Moving Castle. As shown below, the accompanying text reads, "Will Love Save the Earth?" -- an active nod to the Telethon's recurring "Love Saves the Earth" theme. Goro's Heen lookalike will be Nippon TV's charity mascot this year, appearing on white, yellow and gray T-shirts that are scheduled to hit Aeon store shelves starting July 4. At the time of writing, the retail price (including tax) is approximately 2,000 yen (or US$12.52). A portion of proceeds from all shirt sales will be donated to charity.

Hayao Miyazaki was difficult to work with and had a strained relationship with his son, Goro Miyazaki. Goro Miyazaki was pressured into directing the film 'Tales From Earthsea' and received criticism when it didn't meet expectations. Despite their difficulties, Hayao and Goro Miyazaki continued to work together, with Hayao offering advice and Goro creating his own animated series.

Hayao Miyazaki is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli and one of the most beloved anime directors of all time. That being said, a number of people he's worked with over the years have come forward to confess that he was difficult to deal with and work with, including Miyazaki's son, Goro Miyazaki. Miyazaki is a fantastic artist, but he is also a very strong critic. Modern animators using CGI technology have met with Miyazaki's scorn, while the Academy at the 2003 Oscars was left cold when Miyazaki refused to attend the ceremony.

Studio Ghibli has taken the world of anime by storm since its debut feature film, Castle in the Sky, premiered in 1986. Over the last three decades, the animation studio has released some of the highest-grossing anime feature films in Japan, earning Studio Ghibli well-deserved respect as a pioneer in its industry.

Going into the 2000s, Studio Ghibli remained a powerhouse in its field, releasing some of the best anime movies of all time. Films like Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away have enchanted fans for decades now since their release in the early 2000s, and more recent releases like 2023's The Boy and the Heron have shown that Studio Ghibli hasn't lost its magic touch over the years.

Related 10 Best Howl's Moving Castle Scenes, Ranked There are no wasted scenes in Howl's Moving Castle. Each moment (even the quieter ones) furthers the plot or adds beautiful depth the characters. Earwig...

Studio Ghibli's co-founder Hayao Miyazaki undoubtedly deserves the lion's share of credit for the studio's success. If an endless supply of quotes, stories, and the Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki documentary are to be believed, the legendary director is Ghibli's North Star for each creative endeavor. While there have been many attempts by the now elderly Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli at large to pass the baton off to other creators, it's Miyazaki who still looms large as its figurehead.

Despite the undeniable prowess of its co-founder, the studio still boasts a roster of equally captivating films helmed by other talented directors. Though Miyazaki may have won multiple Oscars on Studio Ghibli's behalf, his iconic status shouldn't eclipse other creator's entries. With no shortage of classic films to Studio Ghibli's credit directed by different folks, fans, and newcomers alike should delight in exploring the full menu of films by the beloved Japanese animation studio.

The first of the two-part Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction anime film, based on Inio Asano's manga of the same name, opened in 222 theaters across Japan on March 22, ranking seventh in its opening weekend, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha . Meanwhile, critical response from the audience to the film has been very positive: The film ranked No.1 in Filmarks' first-day satisfaction ranking with an average rating of 4.05/5.0 based on 2,411 reviews. As previously reported , the second part was originally set to release on April 19, 2024, but was pushed back one month to May 24. The reason for the postponement was explained as "to deliver a work that better meets the expectations of our customers." In its sixth weekend, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle , the first part of the Haikyu!! Final duology anime films, earned 531 million yen (3.51 million Usd) on 354,000 admissions (146 percent of its previous fifth weekend revenue). The film moved up one more spot from last weekend to second place,...

Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron has finally revealed its streaming home following a contract renewal with American film distributor Gkids.

The streaming platform Max has announced a multiyear agreement with Gkids via a Warner Bros. Discovery press release, which will "extend the exclusive U.S. film streaming rights for Studio Ghibli, Japan’s legendary, Oscar®-winning animation house." As part of this deal, The Boy and the Heron will come to Max, with the exact release date to be confirmed later this year.

Related Hayao Miyazaki's Debut Film Unveils Global Luxury Shoe Collaboration Luxury shoemaker Madras has revealed its new line in collaboration with Hayao Miyazaki's debut film, Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro.

Wbd Vice-President of Content Acquisitions Elizabeth Bannan Atcheson said regarding the deal, "Our subscribers are always looking for unique stories, and we are happy to continue to offer these award-winning, critically acclaimed...

The Boy and the Heron will be available for streaming on Max, joining the Studio Ghibli film collection following the film's Oscar win. The film has received critical acclaim, including being awarded the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2023. The movie explores themes of grief through a poignant story about a boy who copes with his mother's death.

Hayao Miyazaki's award-winning film, The Boy and the Heron, has just received an official streaming home. The incredible movie will soon be available to stream on Max. The Boy and the Heron will be the newest in the long list of Studio Ghibli films currently streaming on the Max platform.

The movie was released in theaters on December 8, 2023, in the USA, going on to gross over $167 million worldwide. The amazing film has received countless awards and nominations, and recently took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. This 2023 Oscar is Miyazaki's...

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...

Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron,” which just won the Oscar for animated feature film, is streaming to Max in the U.S.

Warner Bros. Discovery announced a multiyear agreement with independent distributor GKids to extend Max’s exclusive U.S. streaming rights for films from Studio Ghibli, Japan’s legendary animation house. The streamer has been the U.S. home to Studio Ghibli’s catalog since 2020, when the service originally launched as HBO Max.

Under the deal renewal, Max will be the future home of “The Boy and the Heron”; the streaming premiere date on Max will be announced later this year. The hand-drawn, semi-autobiographical film — Miyazaki’s first feature film in 10 years — was produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki and features a musical score from Miyazaki’s longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi.

The extension with GKids also will keep nearly two dozen Studio Ghibli films — including “My Neighbor Totoro,...

Although he was planning on continuing work on the Evangelion series, supervising animator Takeshi Honda decided to join The Boy and the Heron after speaking with director Hayao Miyazaki. In working closely with the “renowned maestro”, Honda found ways to ground the characters in reality to match a more somber style.

In his most personal work to date, Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron follows the story of a young boy named Mahito, who has recently lost his mother. Along with a cunning and deceptive gray heron, he journeys to a mysterious world outside of time where the dead and the living coexist. The Boy and the Heron won the 2024 Golden Globe for Best Animated Motion Picture.

‘The Boy and the Heron’

Deadline: How did you get involved with The Boy and the Heron?

Takeshi Honda: I had been working with Studio Ghibli from quite a while back.

Goro Miyazaki's Tales From Earthsea and Earwig And The Witch are considered the worst Studio Ghibli films due to their lack of depth, contrived storytelling, and unlikable characters. Ocean Waves and The Secret World of Arrietty suffer from weak plotlines and underdeveloped characters, despite their visually interesting animation. Whisper of the Heart and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya are standout films not directed by Hayao Miyazaki, showcasing emotional storytelling, stunning animation, and strong character development.

While Hayao Miyazaki might be the biggest name associated with Studio Ghibli, he’s not the only director they’ve ever had. Ever since its founding, Studio Ghibli has produced films featuring a wide variety of directors, and even when Miyazaki isn’t involved, they usually end up staying true to the spirit of what makes Studio Ghibli so great.

Since its founding, Studio Ghibli has produced a total of 14 films not directed by Hayao Miyazaki,...

Studio Ghibli's new movie The Boy and the Heron has revealed its English cast, and its inclusion of Dave Bautista, Mark Hamill, and Florence Pugh is certainly stunning. While The Boy and the Heron’s original marketing strategy was to rely solely on brand recognition, that's no longer the case. In addition to multiple images, Gkids released a trailer advertising its release date, so a different marketing strategy is clearly at play in the West compared to Japan.

Going right along with that, The Boy and the Heron has recently revealed the cast of its English dub. There are many talented actors involved, but the ones who stand out the most, either because of their fame or because of their prior history with Studio Ghibli, are Dave Bautista, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe, Christian Bale, and Mark Hamill. Studio Ghibli movies often boast some of the best English dubs in all anime,...

Hayao Miyazaki, renowned director from Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli, is back after previously announcing his retirement from filmmaking.

The famed animator and director, known for My Neighbor Totoro and various other iconic Japanese animated films, recently announced his retirement following the release of his "final" film, The Boy and the Heron. Now, according to Studio Ghibli president Toshio Suzuki, Miyazaki is not only back in action but also more dynamic than ever, stating that the director is reportedly "obsessed" with his next project. "He's thinking about this next project every day, and I can't stop him — in fact, I've given up," Suzuki said in an interview with Liberation. "I no longer try to dissuade him, even if he were to make a failed film. In life, it's only the work that delights him."

Related: Studio Ghibli Highlights Several Iconic Works With Gorgeous Watercolor Greeting Card Set

A founding member of Studio Ghibli,...

The Boy and the Heron, a new Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, has received overwhelming critical acclaim. The movie follows Mahito, a young boy who embarks on a journey through an abandoned tower and discovers a new world after being informed by a talking heron that his mother is still alive. While initially thought to be Miyazaki's final film, it has since been revealed that The Boy and the Heron may not be his last.

A new trailer for The Boy and the Heron further teases Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Released via X (formerly known as Twitter), the latest footage from the critically acclaimed Studio Ghibli film comes with a side of posters, as global audiences eagerly await the release of The Boy and the Heron later this year. Check out the new trailer and posters for The Boy and the Heron...

Many popular American cartoons have clearly and proudly been influenced by anime. Beloved cartoons like Teen Titans and Avatar: The Last Airbender have drawn influences from the anime industry when capturing their art styles, character archetypes, and storytelling.

Thanks to the global reach of pop culture in the 21st century, the opposite is also true, with Japanese studios being influenced by American franchises and creating anime adaptations of well-known American works. Over the years comic books and video games alike have inspired noteworthy anime that's worth watching.

Star Wars: Visions

Classic Japanese samurai movies were one of the major influences on George Lucas in early drafts of the original Star Wars. With Visions, Japanese animators and filmmakers had the chance to celebrate the influence of Star Wars on their own works. A multi-studio anthology of standalone animated short films, Visions is stylish and slick.

Each studio used their distinct art...

While The Boy and the Heron was initially announced to be Hayao Miyazaki’s last movie, that’s just been announced to no longer be the case. In 2017, Studio Ghibli announced that Miyazaki was working on a new film titled The Boy and the Heron, also known as How Do You Live? in Japan, and that it would be his final film before retirement. While Miyazaki had announced plans to retire in the past, Miyazaki’s age was a noted factor in The Boy and the Heron’s long production cycle, and with the film being intended to give his grandchildren something to remember him by, it seemed like Miyazaki would finally retire.

That being said, it appears that didn’t stick, and The Boy and the Heron is no longer going to be Hayao Miyazaki’s final film. According to Studio Ghibli vice-president Junichi Nishioka, while Miyazaki will no longer be working on animation,...

Studio Ponoc has released a new trailer for its upcoming fantasy film, The Imaginary.

As detailed on Anime News Network, the film is an adaptation of A.F Harrold and Emily Gravett's 2014 children's novel of the same name. The trailer showcased an animation style reminiscent of Ponoc's legendary predecessor, Studio Ghibli. A host of new cast members have also been revealed; Kokoro Terada, who previously played the role of Selim Bradley in the live-action Fullmetal Alchemist film series, will star as Rudger. Rio Suzuki, who starred as Dororo in the 2019 adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's titular manga series, will portray Amanda. The Imaginary's Japanese theatrical premiere is set for Dec. 15.

Related: The Boy and the Heron Producer Says the Anime Is the Most Expensive Japanese Film Ever Made

While Ponoc unveiled a brief teaser for The Imaginary in 2021, this latest trailer delves deeper into the film's premise. As an "Imaginary," young...

Most Studio Ghibli movies read like fairytales. Nearly all the movies have fantasy elements to them, from the magical realism of Only Yesterday to Chihiro's isekai journey to a total fantasy world in Spirited Away. Many of the beings in Hayao Miyazaki's stories are inspired by folkloric figures and concepts.

Some draw to specific folkloric stories, like certain kinds of yokai, and others draw more from the idea of kami in general. The Shinto cosmology, an animistic religion, informs many things in Japanese culture. Studio Ghibli sometimes adapts works like Howl's Moving Castle and Tales from Earthsea, which are Western stories that incorporate British, Danish, and Greek folktales. The rest of the Miyazaki movies are largely informed by the concept of animism.

Related: 15 Best Anime Based On Real History

Kodama Are Japanese Tree Spirits

Kodama are Japanese tree spirits who live in trees and make echoing sounds. The...

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

Before we highlight this week’s picks, I want to give a special shout-out to our newly-launched Twitter account for Michael Snydel’s podcast Intermission. He’s sharing daily, well-curated streaming recommendations, so be sure to give it a follow!

Burial (Ben Parker)

From Tarantino to Mann to Marvel, mining Word War II for fictional storytelling purposes is nothing new in cinema. The latest to take the leap is Ben Parker’s Burial, a staid action thriller following Russian soldiers who are transporting the corpse of Hitler back to their homeland, per Stalin’s request. While Parker suggests some interesting ideas about conflicted nationalism at the end of a war, and he gets the table-setting right when it comes to mood, Burial...

Studio Ghibli is the most important animation production company in movie history, and I say this with absolutely no hyperbole. The home of living animation legend Hayao Miyazaki and the studio responsible for some of the most brilliant works of animated cinema ever put to screen, Studio Ghibli has consistently broken new ground and completely redefined what stories are possible to tell in animation since its inception in the 1980s. Founded by Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli films have become internationally beloved classics, and have even inspired an upcoming theme park set to open in Japan later this year.

Back in 2020, HBO Max snagged the streaming rights to Studio Ghibli's entire filmography, but Gkids recently announced that the entire Studio Ghibli catalog is now available for digital download-to-rent in the United States and Canada. The films will be available to rent in both English and Japanese languages and this...

Some of the most acclaimed films in animation history are finally available to rent online.

Gkids, the animation specialist distributer, has released the catalog of acclaimed Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli starting Tuesday. 22 films from the studio — including Oscar winner “Spirited Away” and nominees such as “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “When Marnie Was There” — will be made available to rent on all major digital platforms, including Apple TV, Amazon VOD, Vudu, Google Play and Microsoft. The films will be be priced at 4.99 per title, and all will be available in HD, with most being offered in the original Japanese language as well as English dubs.

The news marks the first time that Ghibli’s films have been made available via digital rental. The catalogue has been one of the pillars of Gkids’ business since the distributer acquired the North American film distribution rights to the studio’s films in 2011, followed...

Any new Studio Ghibli production is bound to be met with incredibly high expectations due to their phenomenal output over the past three decades. But even if a new feature arrived peppered with blemishes in pivotal areas i.e. script, characters, arcs and direction, one would still expect to see their incomparable style, surrealism and quirky characters present, which make up such a huge part of why we fell in love with them in the first place.

Sadly, in the case of their latest, Earwig and the Witch, these qualities are scarce to the point of seeming non-existent. The film also falls short in the aforementioned areas making it below par by any standard, and Ghibli in name only, despite being directed by Goro Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki.

The script, based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones (Howl’s Moving Castle), flows well for the...

A version of this story about “Earwig and the Witch” first appeared in the Oscar Nominations Preview issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.

The Japanese company Studio Ghibli is legendary for its hand-drawn animation, including the classics “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke,” “Howl’s Moving Castle” and the Oscar-winning “Spirited Away.” All of those films were directed by the studio’s co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki — but it’s his son, Goro Miyazaki, who has now given Studio Ghibli its first-ever 3Dcg animated feature, “Earwig and the Witch.”

The idea for the film, Goro Miyazaki said, came when his father gave him the novel by English writer Diana Wynne Jones and suggested it might make a good movie. Goro, who initially worked as a landscape architect to avoid the long shadow of his father before joining the family business to direct “Tales From Earthsea” and “From Up on Poppy Hill,” took to the story of a young,...

Photo: ‘Earwig and the Witch’/HBO Max ‘Earwig and the Witch’ follows a young witch named Earwig as she attempts to gain control over her new foster parents – the witch Bella Yaga and her fearsome partner, “The Mandrake.” Before being adopted by the oddball couple, Earwig had enjoyed the freedom of her orphanage, where she was a leader of the children and had everyone under her finger. In this new home, Earwig is faced with her biggest challenge yet – to win over her new parents, who she refers to more as captors. Upon being thrust into the position as Bella Yaga’s assistant, Earwig also gains a new ambition to learn more about magic. The film is directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of the famed Hayao Miyazaki who directed films such as ‘My Neighbor Totoro’, ’Spirited Away’, and ‘Princess Mononoke.’ Goro Miyazaki has directed past Ghibli films ‘From Up on Poppy Hill...

After directing the television series Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter for Japanese network Nhk Bs Premium, Gorô Miyazaki returned to his roots at Studio Ghibli, looking to take on his first film in “full 3D CG.”

For the son of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki—who helped turn Ghibli into an internationally respected animation studio—that project would end up being an adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones’s novel, Earwig and the Witch.

“Hayao and [producer] Toshio Suzuki came to me with the suggestion that this novel was likely a good story for a film adaptation,” the younger Miyazaki says. “I loved the fact that the protagonist wasn’t your typical ‘good girl,’ in the sense that she’s always right, and does the correct thing. She’s very fun.”

Gorô Miyazaki’s follow-up to the acclaimed features Tales from Earthsea (2006) and From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) centers on Earwig, a 10-year-old orphan girl in 1990s England,...

"You agree that you'll teach me magic, and I agree to help you out." GKids has revealed a new US trailer for the Japanese animated film Earwig and the Witch, the latest film by Goro Miyazaki, Hayao Miyazaki's son who also directed the films Tales from Earthsea and From Up on Poppy Hill previously. This is Studio Ghibli's first ever CGI 3D feature film, and it's their first since shutting down a few years ago. Earwig and the Witch, also known as Âya and the Witch, was supposed to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year - instead it's debuting direct-to-tv on the Nhk channel in Japan this month - and will open in the US early next year. The story follows an orphan girl, Earwig, who is adopted by a witch and comes home to a spooky house filled with mystery and magic. She tries to learn magic and more.

Gkids to release in North America in early 2021.

Richard E. Grant has joined the English-language dub cast for Studio Ghibli’s Cannes Label 2020 selection Earwig And The Witch.

Gkids has set an early 2021 awards-qualifying North American release in early 2021 while Elysian Film Group Distribution will handle a UK release in spring 2021.

Joining Grant as The Mandrake are Kacey Musgraves as Earwig’s mother, Dan Stevens and Taylor Paige Henderson in the title role are also on board the animation feature directed by Goro Miyazaki.

Earwig And The Witch follows Earwig on her quest to find the family she always dreamed of,...

“Earwig and the Witch,” the first CG-animated feature from Studio Ghibli, directed by Goro Miyazaki — and son of legendary Hayao Miyazaki — will get an English-language release for Oscar qualification from Gkids. The feature is slated to air on Nhk in Japan December 30, 2020. Gkids will release the film theatrically in North America in early 2021.

The voice work is headlined by Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), Kacey Musgraves (“Golden Hour”), and Dan Stevens (“Legion”). The six-time Grammy-winning Musgraves will also record an English version of the theme song, “Don’t Disturb Me.”

Based on the children’s novel “Earwig and the Witch” by Diana Wynne Jones, the fantasy concerns the young Earwig (Taylor Paige Henderson) growing up in a British orphanage in the countryside with no idea that her mother (Musgraves) possessed magical powers. Her life changes suddenly she’s forced to live with a selfish witch,...

Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar winner “Spirited Away” has crossed the $300 million mark at Japan’s box office, over 19 years after the anime classic’s original theatrical release. Toho, Japan’s leading film distributor and exhibitor, announced December 15 it was boosting the total domestic box office of “Spirited Away” by $8.5 million, taking into account revival screenings of the film that took place in 2020 (via Variety). With so many new releases postponed amid the pandemic, Toho re-released “Spirited Away” to help lure moviegoers back to theaters. The total gross for “Spirited Away” in Japan now sits at $304 million, which is the all-time record for any film released in Japan.

The new gross for “Spirited Away” means the fall 2020 box office sensation “Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train” has a bit more to go to claim the all-time record. Released by Toho and Aniplex in October, the animated action movie “Demon Slayer” has...

Richard E. Grant, Kacey Musgraves, Dan Stevens and more will lend their voices to the English-language cast of Goro Miyazaki’s Gkids and Studio Ghibli feature film Earwig and the Witch, inspired by Diana Wynne Jones’ book of the same name.

Directed by the From Up on Poppy Hill and Tales from Earthsea helmer, Earwig follows a headstrong orphan named Earwig who lives with a selfish witch but then embarks on a journey meet her mother who has magical powers. Upon her trek, Earwig discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may help her in finding her lost family.

In the English-language dub, Grant will play the Mandrake, Stevens will voice Thomas and Musgraves is set to play Earwig’s mother. Taylor Paige Henderson will voice the titular character. Additional voice cast members include Pandora Colin, Jb Blanc, Logan Hannan, Summer Jenkins and Vivienne Rutherford.

Japan’s leading film distributor and exhibitor Toho Tuesday announced that it is upping the official box office total of the 2001 Miyazaki Hayao animation “Spirited Away” by $8.5 million to $304 million, the all-time record for any film in the Japanese market. The new figure includes revival screenings of the film this year in the Toho chain after the pandemic led to the postponement of dozens of new releases.

This means that the current number two, the action animation “Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train” that Toho is co-distributing with Aniplex, will have a bit farther to go to pass Japan’s all-time chart leader. As of Monday, it had earned $291 million and was widely expected to overtake “Spirited Away” in total box office by next week.

Originally released in July, 2001, “Spirited Away” was re-released by Toho on June 26, 2020 on 372 screens, together with three other classics from Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli animation house.

Miyazaki is back!! Nhk in Japan has unveiled an official trailer for a brand new Studio Ghibli movie titled Earwig and the Witch. But don't get too excited about the return of Ghibli. The film is the latest feature directed by Goro Miyazaki, Hayao Miyazaki's son who also directed the films Tales from Earthsea and From Up on Poppy Hill. Because it's uh, his father's studio, he convinced Ghibli to "return from the dead" to make another new film - this one being their first entirely CGI creation. And it looks pretty rough, to be honest. Earwig and the Witch, also known as Âya and the Witch, was supposed to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year - instead it's debuting direct-to-tv on the Nhk channel in Japan on December 30th just before the end of the year. It follows an orphan girl, Earwig, who is adopted by...

Studio Ghibli is helping to ease the pain of 2020 by making 400 high resolution images from eight of its movies available to download for free. The films include “When Marnie Was There,” “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” “The Wind Rises,” “From Up on Poppy Hill,” “The Secret World of Arrietty,” “Ponyo,” “Tales from Earthsea,” and Best Animated Feature Oscar winner “Spirited Away.” A handwritten note from Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki notes the one catch: “Please use them freely within the scope of common sense.”

The 400 free images mean each film mentioned above has 50 new high-resolution stills to explore. The note to use the images with “common sense” means fans have the green light from Suzuki to share the stills on social media and make artwork out of them, but don’t think about selling them for profit. Suzuki teased that more free images from additional Studio Ghibli movies will become available in the future.

Gkids has acquired the North American distribution rights to Studio Ghibli’s Earwig and the Witch, directed by Goro Miyazaki and produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki, with planning on the feature from his father and Oscar winner Hayao Miyazaki.

Based on the children’s novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones (Howl’s Moving Castle), Earwig and the Witch marks Studio Ghibli’s first entirely 3Dcg animated feature. The film follows the titular Earwig, who grew up in an orphanage and never knew her mother had magical powers. Her life takes a new turn when a strange family takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch.

“Nowadays, in our country, there are many adults and few children. It must be tough for these children, so few of them having to deal with so many adults,...

Studio Ghibli is an animation studio that has consistently produced outstanding films over the years, thanks largely to director Miyazaki Hayao and Takahata Isao. In recent years, Miyazaki Gorō has followed his own path in film at the studio, somewhat different from his father, directing Tales From Earthsea (2006), which was a bit unsteady, and then From Up on Poppy Hill, which I enjoyed immensely. Now the younger Miyazaki's next film, Earwig and The Witch, produced by studio co-founder Suzuki Toshio, "with planning on the feature from his father, Academy Award®-winner" Miyazaki Hayao, is on its way to North America, according to an official statement from distributor Gkids. Here's more from the statement: "Based on the children's novel Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Indie distributor Gkids has acquired the North American distribution rights to Earwig and the Witch, the latest feature from Hayao Miyazaki-founded animation house Studio Ghibli.

The film is directed by his son, Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales From Earthsea) and produced by the acclaimed studio's co-founder Toshio Suzuki. Hayao Miyazaki, who won a competitive Oscar for 2001's Spirited Away and an honorary award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 2014 Governors Awards, was involved in the movie's planning.

Based on the children’s novel Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones ...