Elysian Film has announced that two Studio Ghibli classics will be returning to cinemas this Winter and next Spring.
The Academy Award-winning Spirited Away (2001), directed by Hayao Miyazaki, will be showing in UK & Irish cinemas starting on Boxing Day. Additionally, Howl's Moving Castle (2004), also directed by Miyazaki, will be screening from 11th April 2025.
Spirited Away follows the story of Chihiro, a girl moving to a new house with her family. When her parents stop the car at an abandoned theme park however, the family discover a world filled with magic, demons, and traditional spirits. Chihiro must work in the spirit bathhouse to save her parents before it's too late.
Spirited Away was met with critical acclaim upon its release. Furthermore, it became the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Howl's Moving Castle is based on English author Diana Wynne Jones's novel of the same name, published in 1986. An evil witch turns a young milliner, Sophie into an elderly woman. Sophie seeks out the help of Howl, a wizard, who might be able to break the curse. Sophie slowly falls in love with Howl, while he becomes increasingly entangled in a horrific war.
The English dub cast for Howl's Moving Castle includes Lauren Bacall, Christian Bale, Billy Crystal, and Jean Simmons. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
In a statement, Elysian Film said “Bringing these timeless classics back to the big screen for families and fans continues Elysian's commitment to celebrating Studio Ghibli's extraordinary legacy.”
The news follows the release of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki's most recent picture, The Boy and the Heron, which opened on Boxing Day last year. It is the most commercially successful Studio Ghibli theatrical release in UK history.