Studio Ghibli fans in the UK finally know who is taking care of the studio's catalogue after months of uncertainty, and the news comes with a treat for the big screen. GKIDS, one of the biggest names in animation distribution, has taken over the Studio Ghibli library across the UK and Ireland, and it is already lining up IMAX re-releases of three fan favourites, starting with Kiki's Delivery Service.
Why a new distributor was needed
Elysian Film Group had handled Ghibli's UK releases in recent years, including Earwig and the Witch and The Boy and the Heron. But Elysian went into liquidation earlier this summer, leaving the future of Ghibli's UK rights up in the air. GKIDS stepping in resolves that uncertainty and brings fresh plans for cinema releases.
Kiki's Delivery Service returns first
The first confirmed IMAX re-release is Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service, arriving in UK IMAX cinemas on August 21. The film follows a young witch who leaves home to complete her training, setting up a flying courier service on her broomstick with her sardonic cat Jiji for company. It is regarded as one of the gentler, more heartwarming entries in the Ghibli catalogue.
Arrietty and Whisper of the Heart also confirmed
GKIDS has also confirmed IMAX releases for Arrietty, Ghibli's adaptation of The Borrowers, and for Whisper of the Heart, a cult favourite among devoted Ghibli fans. Whisper of the Heart tells the story of a summer-long friendship between bookish teenager Shizuku and a local boy named Seiji. It holds a special place in Ghibli history as the only film directed by Yoshifumi Kondō before his early death, and it is often praised as one of the studio's best, if most overlooked, films. Exact release dates for Arrietty and Whisper of the Heart have not been announced yet.
More re-releases could follow
With GKIDS now in charge of the library, there is hope for further Ghibli re-releases in UK cinemas in the coming months and years, giving audiences more chances to revisit the studio's catalogue on the biggest screens available, including films like Pom Poko.
