For decades, catching a Studio Ghibli film in a British or Irish cinema was a matter of timing and luck.
Theatrical releases trickled through without a single distributor holding the full range, and home video rights were split across labels.
Now, fans of the legendary Japanese animation studio will finally get to experience these masterpieces on the biggest screens possible.
What Happened
GKids, the New York-based animation distributor, has acquired the full Studio Ghibli catalog for the United Kingdom and Ireland. The deal covers all 23 films across theatrical, home video, television, and digital platforms simultaneously. It marks the first time a single specialist distributor has held the entire Ghibli catalog in these markets.
The high-profile rollout begins this summer with Hayao Miyazaki’s 1989 classic Kiki’s Delivery Service, which will hit IMAX screens on August 21, 2026. GKids has also confirmed two additional fall 2026 IMAX releases: The Secret World of Arrietty and Whisper of the Heart.
The deal was negotiated between GKids president Eric Beckman and Vincent Maraval of Goodfellas. Notably, Netflix retains its streaming rights under existing arrangements and is explicitly excluded from this new acquisition.
Key Facts:
Total films acquired: All 23 films in the Studio Ghibli catalog.
- First release: Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service on August 21, 2026.
- Subsequent fall releases: The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) and Whisper of the Heart (1995).
- Format: High-profile IMAX screenings and premium theatrical treatment.
- Excluded rights: Netflix retains its streaming rights under existing arrangements.
Why It Matters
This acquisition brings the U.K. and Ireland into alignment with GKids' North American operations.
For 15 years, GKids has built its Ghibli business on the premise that premium theatrical treatment is what audiences demand.
Rather than letting these films fade into streaming-only options, the distributor has consistently invested in 4K restorations, physical media releases, and theatrical events.
By securing the entire catalog, GKids can offer consistent, high-quality releases across multiple platforms.
Fans are anticipating the chance to see these animated masterpieces in the highest possible resolution, utilizing premium screens like London's BFI IMAX and other regional venues.
This strategy elevates the viewing experience, allowing audiences to appreciate the intricate, hand-drawn animation of Studio Ghibli on a scale that was previously unavailable to most viewers in these regions.
What Happens Next
The rollout begins with Kiki's Delivery Service in August, followed by The Secret World of Arrietty and Whisper of the Heart later in the fall. Similar hype is building for other global markets as fans hope for similar theatrical re-releases.
GKids is expected to share more details about its plans for physical home video and digital transactional releases in the coming months.
As the summer and fall theatrical runs progress, industry observers will be watching to see how well these classic animated titles perform in premium formats. If successful, this IMAX-led strategy could set a new standard for how classic anime and international films are re-released in Western markets.
What We Still Don't Know
- How quickly will GKids structure the home video and digital transactional sides of the acquisition?
- Will other classic Ghibli films, such as Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro, receive IMAX releases in the U.K. and Ireland later in the rollout?
- Are there plans to expand this IMAX-led theatrical re-release strategy to other global markets outside of North America, the U.K., and Ireland?
Source Note
This story draws on reporting from The Hollywood Reporter.