Studio Ghibli Films Set To Exclusively Stream On HBO Max
Studio Ghibli

The classic anime films of Hayao Miyazaki and others are set to be offered for streaming for the first time, as HBO Max has landed the rights to the Studio Ghibli library.  The films were previously only available on physical DVDs and in theaters thanks to a deal between Fathom Events and Ghibli’s GKid, under the Studio Ghibli Fest banner.  (There aren’t any Studio Ghibli Fest screenings planned for 2020, at this time.  But the program has not ended, according to a source at GKids, as confirmed by Polygon.)

HBO Max’s chief content officer, Kevin Reilly, announced:

Studio Ghibli

“Studio Ghibli films are visually breathtaking, completely immersive experiences.  Exciting, enchanting, and deeply humanistic, these wonderful films have captured people’s hearts around the world, and we are proud to showcase them in an accessible way for even more fans through HBO Max.”

Studio Ghibli chairman Koji Hoshino added:

“We are excited to be working with HBO Max to bring the complete collection of Studio Ghibli films to streaming audiences in the US. 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 enjoy their favorites and delve deeper into the library, while whole new audiences will be able to discover our films for the first time.”

Here is the complete list of titles from Studio Ghibli that will be available on HBO Max:

Studio Ghibli

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)

With the exception of ‘The Wind Rises’, the other titles are expected to be available at launch.  Isao Takahata’s ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ is not included, as Studio Ghibli did not produce it and doesn’t hold the rights.  That film is available to stream now on Hulu.