GKIDS and IMAX have announced that it will be partnering to release 4K restorations films by Studio Ghibli in IMAX in 2026. The films will release in North America after the success of both The Boy and the Heron and Princess Mononoke in IMAX.
The new versions of the films will be overseen by Studio Ghibli’s Atsushi Okui, who has been with the company since 1993. Recently, he was the Director of Digital Imaging on The Boy and the Heron, the first film from Ghibli to launch in IMAX. In a statement, Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, said the following:
“Studio Ghibli has long been synonymous with exceptional storytelling and a devoted global fanbase, and we’re ready to build on our strong foundation with the studio as we partner with GKIDS to bring some of its most celebrated titles to IMAX. As animation continues to thrive as a box office and cultural force, IMAX is poised to meet that demand at scale as the industry’s only truly global platform for cinema.”
Further, Eric Beckman, CEO of GKIDS, said this in regards to the news: “GKids is thrilled to extend our relationship with Imax for more Studio Ghibli releases. 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. 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.”
GKIDS and IMAX will reveal which films from Studio Ghibli it will release in 2026 in the coming months.
