Two iconic films from the renowned Studio Ghibli will return to theaters this spring, as Gkids and IMAX partner to revive the Japanese animation studio’s classics in North America. The distributor announced on March 12, 2024, that restored 4K editions of Whisper of the Heart (1995) and The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) will be screened in IMAX theaters across the United States and Canada on April 21 and May 19, respectively. Both films will be available in subtitled Japanese-language and English-dub versions.
This initiative follows last year’s successful IMAX re-release of Princess Mononoke, which opened to $3.9 million domestically and ultimately grossed $6.9 million, marking it as the second-highest-grossing vault release in IMAX history. The upcoming screenings are part of Gkids’ ongoing collaboration with IMAX to showcase newly remastered Ghibli classics in 4K.
Celebrating Timeless Stories
Directed by the late Yoshifumi Kondo, Whisper of the Heart remains one of Studio Ghibli’s most cherished coming-of-age narratives. The film follows Shizuku, a reflective teenager whose chance meeting with a mysterious cat leads to an unexpected artistic journey.
On the other hand, The Secret World of Arrietty, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, adapts Mary Norton’s beloved children’s book, The Borrowers. It imagines a hidden realm of tiny people living beneath the floorboards of human homes. The English-language voice cast includes notable talents such as Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie, Amy Poehler, and Carol Burnett.
The remastering of these films is overseen by Atsushi Okui, a longtime Studio Ghibli cinematographer who has contributed to nearly every major production since Porco Rosso in 1992. His most recent role was as the director of digital imaging for Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning film, The Boy and the Heron.
Expanding Distribution and Future Plans
Gkids is responsible for the North American distribution of Studio Ghibli’s entire film library, encompassing theatrical releases, home entertainment, and digital platforms. Since 2017, the company has organized the annual Ghibli Fest, a nationwide program that brings Studio Ghibli films back to theaters each year.
The IMAX re-releases also signify Gkids’ broader ambitions following its acquisition by Japanese entertainment giant Toho Co. in 2024. The company is expanding its distribution slate, which includes live-action Japanese films. Recent releases have featured the blockbuster kabuki drama Kokuho, while upcoming titles include Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Look Back and the next installment in Toho’s monster franchise, Godzilla Minus Zero.
The revival of these beloved films not only celebrates the artistry of Studio Ghibli but also offers a new generation of audiences the opportunity to experience these classics on the big screen. As excitement builds for the upcoming releases, fans are eager to revisit the enchanting worlds crafted by one of animation’s most beloved studios.
