In a groundbreaking move, streaming giant Netflix has inked a deal to bring Hayao Miyazaki’s highly anticipated film ‘The Boy and the Heron’ to audiences worldwide, with the exception of viewers in the United States and Japan, reports from ‘Variety’ confirm.
This marks a significant milestone as Miyazaki’s first feature film in a decade, drawing upon his childhood reminiscences. The acclaimed animator not only crafted the original storyline but also directed the film. Despite Netflix withholding the announcement of a premiere date, ‘The Boy and the Heron’ has already stirred considerable excitement, having garnered over $85 million at the Japanese box office. Its international debut at the Toronto Film Festival further solidified its status, while its opening weekend in North America raked in a record-breaking $12.8 million.
Furthermore, Netflix has expanded its collaboration with the animation studio co-founded by Miyazaki alongside Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, acquiring streaming rights to an additional 22 Studio Ghibli films. This move comes as part of an extended contract between Netflix and the renowned animation house.
In a parallel development, another streaming service, Max, secured exclusive rights to stream Studio Ghibli’s catalog in the U.S., following a deal with GKIDS, the North American distributor for Studio Ghibli. As a result, Max subscribers will have access to the beloved studio’s entire library through the Warner Bros. Discovery platform.
Netflix’s acquisition spree didn’t stop there, as it also obtained rights to stream Miyazaki classics such as ‘Spirited Away’, the recipient of the 2003 Oscar for Best Animated Feature, along with other beloved titles including ‘Princess Mononoke’, ‘Arrietty’, ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’, ‘My Neighbor Totoro’, and ‘The Tale of The Princess Kaguya’. These films will be available for streaming across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, with subtitles provided in 28 languages and dubbed versions available in up to 20 languages.
The global streaming landscape continues to evolve with these strategic moves by Netflix and Max, promising an enriched viewing experience for animation enthusiasts worldwide.
