The classic and heartwarming Studio Ghibli films that we all know and love are soon to be available for streaming on HBO Max.
Warner Media has just acquired the U.S streaming rights to Studio Ghibli films, meaning the entire collection of masterpieces by the Japanese animation studio will be available on HBO Max upon launch in Spring 2020.
Chief content officer of HBO max, Kevin Reilly, gave high praise for the Japanese animation films.
“Studio Ghibli films are visually breathtaking, completely immersive experiences, exciting, enchanting, and deeply humanistic, these wonderful films have capture people’s hearts around the world, and we are proud to showcase them in an accessible way for even more fans through HBO Max.”
The surprising deal between HBO Max and American Studio Ghibli distributor, GKids, signifies the streamer’s intent to load up on premium animated content and one-up competitors like Disney Plus, with its vast library selection.
Chairman of Studio Ghibli, Koji Hoshino expressed excitement towards working with HBO Max to expand their streaming audience.
“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 to enjoy their favourites and delve deeper into the library, whil whole new audiences will be able to discover out films for the first time.”
Interestingly, the studio and Hayao Miyazaki were actually reluctant about distributing their films other than via theatres, DVD, and Blu-ray, Polygon reported.
Clearly, this is a very big deal for HBO Max, Studio Ghibli and the US audience that have been scouring the web for HD copies of these Japanese classics. It’s a gift, truly.
Here is the complete list of films from Studio Ghibli that will be available for streaming on HBO Max:
- 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)
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