GKids to Re-Release Even More Studio Ghibli Movies in IMAX in 2026

by Alex Billington
December 5, 2025
Source: Deadline

More of your favorite Studio Ghibli movies are coming to IMAX screens next year! Deadline has announced the exciting news that animation distributor GKids is partnering with both IMAX and Studio Ghibli to re-release a few pristine, brand new 4K restorations of Studio Ghibli classics in IMAX theaters starting in 2026. They’ve already been re-releasing the Ghibli movies for years under the “Ghibli Fest” banner which makes me happy because all 20+ of their movies deserve to be appreciated year-after-year. Earlier in 2025 they already released Hayao Miyazaki’s classic Princess Mononoke on IMAX screens (watch the trailer) the first experiment in this 4K restoration + IMAX re-release opportunity (along with The Boy and the Heron in 2023). Now time for all of the others to be seen BIG. “GKids is thrilled to extend our relationship with IMAX for more Studio Ghibli releases,” states Eric Beckman, CEO of GKids. “As a company, GKids is a champion of the shared theatrical experience – and what better way for fans to experience the unparalleled visual beauty, immersive worlds, and deeply humanistic storytelling of Studio Ghibli than in IMAX.” Totally agree.

Exact details on which films and when they’ll be re-released haven’t been confirmed yet. However, they are actually doing proper 4K upgrades and not just upscaling existing digital copies. “The original picture and sound elements are being lovingly and meticulously restored in 4K by Studio Ghibli and we are beyond excited to be able to share the results with North American audiences.” The news details also reiterate: “The IMAX versions of the films are being created from new 4K restorations directly overseen by Studio Ghibli’s Atsushi Okui, who has been involved in nearly every major project for the studio since he started in 1993. Okui’s most recent credit with Studio Ghibli was as Director of Digital Imaging on Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning feature The Boy and the Heron.” I’m a huge fan of ALL of Ghibli’s movies, but I would love to see these in IMAX first & foremost: Only Yesterday, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Porco Rosso, The Wind Rises, and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Every one of them will look amazing restored and projected bigger (and louder) than ever! Stay tuned for updates – we’ll post trailers and more details from GKids once they announce individual release dates next year. Keep an eye on our 2026 Release Schedule. 🌱

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