Studio Ghibli’s beloved, family-friendly, animated films have remained popular for over a decade. Although the films originated in Japan, they’re now shown all over the world. The studio’s unique characters and plotlines, paired with the visually stunning cartoon art, create the perfect film for movie night!
Ghibli History
Studio Ghibli was officially formed in 1985 by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Their first film, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, was released in 1984, kick-starting the studio’s creation. On August 2, 1986, the film Castle in the Sky was released and later became recognized as the first official Studio Ghibli film.
In 2003, Spirited Away won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. This historical event changed the course of filmography as the film became the first non-English-language movie to win the award. Years later, in 2024, The Boy and the Heron won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
The studio is based in Tokyo, Japan, and focuses on creating high-quality animated films for all. Early hits such as Castle in the Sky and My Neighbor Totoro solidified the studio as they swiftly grew in popularity. Studio Ghibli is often known for its stunning artistic style, magical storylines, and relatable characters.
Art Within the Films
Studio Ghibli films are loved for many reasons, one being the personal, handmade art used within them. Painters Yoichi Nishikawa and Kazuo Oga are often connected to Studio Ghibli due to their artistic work on popular films like Howl’s Moving Castle and The Boy and the Heron.
The following Studio Ghibli films all incorporate hand-drawn art within them:
- Spirited Away incorporates authentic art within background scenes.
- My Neighbor Totoro includes many of Oga’s paintings.
- Ponyo incorporates many hand-drawn and painted characters within it.
- Howl’s Moving Castle includes hand-painted European landscapes.
- Princess Mononoke’s forest and village scenes are mostly hand-painted.
- The infamous cityscapes within Kiki’s Delivery Service were painted.
Ghibli Comeback
According to iMAX, a select few Studio Ghibli films will be returning to movie theaters in the United States for a special showing! In 2025, iMAX showed Princess Mononoke, and after the success rates skyrocketed, the studio agreed to continue showing remastered, 4K editions of their beloved films.
In 2026, fans will be able to view The Secret World of Arrietty and Whisper of the Heart in theaters. Eric Beckman, CEO of GKIDS, spoke on the matter, saying, “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.”
As the characters, art, and stories of Studio Ghibli continue to live on, many fans continue to celebrate them! If you find yourself with some spare time this spring, consider stopping into an iMAX theater near you to view the beauty of a Studio Ghibli film.
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