Studio Ghibli’s GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES Heads to US Netflix This September So All Our Hearts Can Break

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As someone who has spent countless hours enchanted by the intricate worlds of Studio Ghibli, I can hardly contain my excitement at the news that these masterpieces are coming to HBO Max! Growing up, I remember eagerly waiting for the rare opportunities to watch these films in theaters or on VHS. Now, with this new deal, fans like me can finally have easy access to these cinematic gems whenever we please!

On August 20th, 2024, the next Studio Ghibli film to stream on Netflix is “Grave of the Fireflies,” one of the most poignantly sad Studio Ghibli movies. Unlike previous Studio Ghibli Netflix releases, this movie will be accessible in the United States. This appears to be due to Sentai Filmworks holding the licensing rights for “Grave of the Fireflies.” Despite being produced by Studio Ghibli, this allowed Sentai Filmworks to negotiate a separate deal from the existing Max and Studio Ghibli agreement for the U.S. market. “Grave of the Fireflies” will debut on Netflix on September 16th, so brace yourself for an emotional experience.

On September 16, the heart-wrenching Studio Ghibli masterpiece “Grave of the Fireflies,” based on Akiyuki Nosaka’s short story and directed by Isao Takahata, will be available on Netflix. This moving tale follows orphaned siblings Seita and Setsuko as they struggle to survive in post-war Japan’s wreckage.

— Netflix (@netflix) August 19, 2024

UPDATE: January 20, 2020 – Good news! Studio Ghibli films are getting distributed! According to Variety, a selection of Studio Ghibli movies will be added to Netflix’s streaming service starting February. The films mentioned in the report include Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and My Neighbor Totoro, as well as The Secret World of Arrietty and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. Unfortunately, this streaming opportunity won’t be available in the United States, Canada, or Japan.

From what I’ve learned from this report, HBO Max secured the North American distribution rights for Studio Ghibli’s complete collection. Since HBO Max isn’t available globally yet, Netflix is seizing the moment to claim the distribution rights for Ghibli in other regions. So, whether you’re here or abroad, there’s a good chance you’ll be streaming your beloved Miyazaki films sooner rather than later!

10/28/2019 – The streaming battlefield is filled with constant armaments exchanges. With every “Star Wars” movie that Disney+ puts out, Netflix counters with “Seinfeld’s complete series.” The competition is becoming increasingly fierce as significant studios and networks roll out their own streaming platforms, each offering exclusive combinations of popular classics and cutting-edge content. HBO Max, seen as the most promising challenger to Disney+, has just landed a significant advantage: it now exclusively hosts the entire Studio Ghibli collection on its platform.

As a dedicated anime enthusiast who has grown up watching Studio Ghibli films, I find it incredibly exciting that GKIDS has taken over the distribution rights for Studio Ghibli’s library. Up until recently, Disney held the exclusive rights to these beloved films, but now that those have lapsed and been picked up by GKIDS, it is a significant change in the anime world.

Studio Ghibli

Another significant factor making this headline noteworthy is the timing aspect. Just a few days ago, an article on Polygon surfaced, essentially outlining reasons as to why Studio Ghibli has consistently declined to stream their movies in the past.

“Studio Ghibli doesn’t offer their movies digitally, either for download or streaming, globally as stated by a representative from GKids via email earlier this year. They maintain that the cinematic experience is crucial and highly value occasions where audiences can enjoy these films collectively in a theater setting.”

Initially, it appeared as though a Ghibli movie would never stream online. However, just when we were struggling to accept that we might never rewatch classics like “Howl’s Moving Castle” or “My Neighbors the Yamadas” on demand, WarnerMedia announced their acquisition of the rights.

HBO Max will serve as the U.S. streaming platform for the entire Studio Ghibli movie collection, one of the most sought-after and respected animation libraries worldwide. This significant agreement with North American distributor GKIDS for the twenty-one Studio Ghibli feature films signifies the initial licensing of these cherished movies to a streaming service.

The massive streaming service known as HBO Max, by WarnerMedia, is anticipated to debut in the later part of spring 2020.

Twenty-one Studio Ghibli movies stand as some of the most cherished film productions worldwide, with their exceptional craftsmanship, intricate plotlines, and enchanting wonder captivating audiences for extended periods during production. While debatable, these masterpieces are often compared favorably to Pixar’s output in terms of quality and emotional impact.

Studio Ghibli

In June 1985, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki established Studio Ghibli after the triumph of Miyazaki’s second film, “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.” Over the subsequent 34 years, they created an impressive collection of fantasy and drama films. Miyazaki directed ten of these productions while Takahata helmed five; however, “Grave of the Fireflies,” Takahata’s most acclaimed and heart-wrenching work, will not be available on HBO Max.

The movies scheduled are:

Are you considering subscribing to HBO Max? With WarnerMedia’s recent offerings, it seems like they have managed to tug at potential subscribers’ heartstrings. We’ll have to wait and see if it’s worth the cost.

Kyle Anderson serves as the Senior Editor at TopMob, where you’ll discover his insightful movie and television critiques. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter for more of his expert analysis!

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2024-08-20 20:03