In a Brilliant Move, Netflix Acquires the Global Streaming Rights Outside of US and Japan for Studio Ghibli Films

If you love movies, you’ve probably at least heard of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. Spirited Away won Best Animated Feature Film back in 2003, and they continue to make excellent work. You may also remember that HBO Max will be streaming their films this Spring in the United States. Well, Netflix has just outplayed HBO Max as they have secured the global streaming rights to Studio Ghibli films.

That’s right, Netflix has the exclusive streaming rights for everywhere in the world except North America and Japan. There are a lot of anime and Ghibli lovers outside of these two areas. THR reports that part of the deal includes Netflix creating subtitles for 28 languages per film and dubs in up to 20 languages per film.

Aram Yacoubian of Netflix released the following statement:

“This is a dream come true for Netflix and millions of our members. studio Ghibli’s animated films are legendary and have enthralled fans around the world for over 35 years. We’re excited to make them available in more languages across Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia — so that more people can enjoy this whimsical and wonderful world of animation.”

I think this is a brilliant move by Netflix and am slightly saddened that the catalog of films will not be available in the US on their platform. Netflix will release the films according to the following schedule:

February 1

• Castle in the Sky (1986)

• My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

• Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

• Only Yesterday (1991)

• Porco Rosso (1992)

• Ocean Waves (1993)

• Tales from Earthsea (2006)

March 1

• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

• Princess Mononoke (1997)

• My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

• Spirited Away (2001)

• The Cat Returns (2002)

• Arrietty (2010)

• The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)

April 1

• Pom Poko (1994)

• Whisper of the Heart (1995)

• Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

• Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)

• From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

• The Wind Rises (2013)

• When Marnie Was There (2014)