GKIDS extends distribution of Studio Ghibli Film Library to UK and Ireland, including theatrical, home video, TV and digital rights
Skwigly
GKIDS, the producer and distributor of artist-driven and award-winning film and animation from around the world, announces that it has acquired the UK and Ireland distribution rights to the 23 film-library of Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli, one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world. The Studio Ghibli library includes the Academy Award®-winning Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron, the Academy Award®-nominated Howl’s Moving Castle, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, The Wind Rises, and When Marnie Was There, and beloved animated masterpieces Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and Castle in the Sky, among many others.
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- Image: Studio Ghibli/GKIDS
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- Image: Studio Ghibli/GKIDS
The first theatrical release under this new agreement is the IMAX® release of Kiki’s Delivery Service, coming to IMAX screens in the UK and Ireland on August 21. Tickets go on sale on July 9 at gkids.co.uk/studio-ghibli. Future titles slated to come to IMAX® screens in the UK and Ireland include The Secret World of Arrietty (UK: Arrietty) and Whisper of the Heart. Like GKIDS and IMAX’s partnership in North America, fans can look forward to additional IMAX releases of new Studio Ghibli 4K Remasters in Fall 2026 and beyond, plus the re-release of the entire library across all home video platforms. Most of the Ghibli titles have had limited availability in the territory for several years.
In the UK and Ireland, GKIDS will be working in close partnership with sister-company and longtime collaborator Anime Limited, the Glasgow-based distributor, which was recently acquired by GKIDS’ parent company Toho Global. The two companies have shared titles and collaborated on numerous releases over the years, including Arcane, Perfect Blue, and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The Secret World of Arrietty (Studio Ghibli/GKIDS)
The deal was negotiated by Eric Beckman at GKIDS and Vincent Maraval at Goodfellas, the sales agent for Studio Ghibli *worldwide. GKIDS has been the long-time home to Studio Ghibli in North America, where it handles distribution across all theatrical, home video, digital, and streaming platforms. GKIDS rights for UK and Ireland include theatrical, home video, TV, and digital. Goodfellas retains streaming rights for the territory, where it has been licensed to Netflix.
GKIDS is delighted to extend our relationship with Studio Ghibli into the UK and Ireland, and to have this opportunity to reintroduce these incomparable films to audiences old and new. We promise UK and Irish fans that we will take loving care of the Ghibli catalog, beginning with the IMAX release of Kiki’s Delivery Service this summer, and expand from there across all home video and digital platforms. Our deep thanks to our longtime friends at Goodfellas for entrusting us with these masterpieces and to everyone at Studio Ghibli for their continued trust and support.
-David Jesteadt (President, GKIDS)
We are very happy to be working together with GKIDS to bring the renowned Studio Ghibli library to UK and Irish audiences. GKIDS has a deep understanding and passion for the films and they have been exemplary in their management of the Ghibli brand in North America.
-Vincent Maraval (President, Goodfellas)