Good news and bad news. The good news: Studio Ghibli is coming to Netflix. The bad news: If you live in North America or Japan, you won’t be able to watch.
Netflix has secured the streaming rights to 21 Studio Ghibli films for fans in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. For the first time, Studio Ghibli films will be subtitled in 28 languages and dubbed in 20 other languages.
The international distribution is being handled by Wild Bunch International. The Paris-based company specializes in international independent film sales. Wild Bunch International currently has around 500 titles in their catalogue.
“In finding the best digital partner for Studio Ghibli, our most valuable and faithful collaborators for 20 years, the Netflix team convinced us with their consistent love and energy for finding the best ways to promote the incredible and unique catalogue worldwide with respect to the Studio Ghibli philosophy,” said Wild Bunch International’s CEO.
“In this day and age, there are various great ways a film can reach audiences,” said Studio Ghibli Producer Toshio Suzuki. “We’ve listened to our fans and have made the definitive decision to stream our film catalogue. We hope people around the world will discover the world of Studio Ghibli through this experience”.
WHY STUDIO GHIBLI JUMPING INTO STREAMING?
Previously, Studio Ghibli has stuck to theatrical releases and Blu-Ray/DVD sales of their films. However, the great streaming war has increased the price streaming services like Netflix and Hulu are willing to pay for film and TV series. It’s likely someone finally made Studio Ghibli an offer they can’t refuse. There’s no information available yet on how much the deal is worth.
Additionally, Netflix has over 150 million subscribers worldwide, some in regions without reliable access to physical media, but with Internet access, so this is a good way for the studio to reach more potential fans. And, as we previously reported, Studio Ghibli is building it’s theme park “Ghibli Park,” which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2020 in Japan, Earth. It’s possible the studio wants to create more fans who would want to travel to Japan to visit the park. We’re sure they don’t want Ghibli Park to end up like the abandoned theme park in Spirited Away.
MORE GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
If you live in North America, you can still stream Studio Ghibli films in 2020, but only if you subscribe to HBO Max, which launches in May. However, at $15 per month, this is more expensive than all the other major streaming services.
STUDIO GHIBLI’S NETFLIX SCHEDULE
February 1, 2020
- Castle in the Sky
- My Neighbor Totoro
- Kiki’s Delivery Service
- Only Yesterday
- Porco Rosso
- Ocean Waves
- Tales from Earthsea
March 1, 2020
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- Princess Mononoke
- My Neighbors the Yamadas
- Spirited Away
- The Cat Returns
- Arrietty
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
April 1, 2020
- Pom Poko
- Whisper of the Heart
- Howl’s Moving Castle
- Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
- From Up on Poppy Hill
- The Wind Rises
- When Marnie Was There
