With Disney generating a ton of hype around their Disney+ streaming service, other companies are trying to get in on the craze by creating their own. Most particularly, Warner Bros are planning to create a service set for the spring of 2020 with HBO Max. Of course it’s expected that many of Warner Bros major properties like DC, Harry Potter, Looney Tunes and obviously HBO programming will be on the service, but most notably the the iconic Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli will have all of their films on HBO Max.
Studio Ghibli is known for creating some of the most popular Japanese animated films, including My Neighbor Tortoro, Princess Mononoke and the Academy Award winning Spirited Away. These films are immensely popular within the animation community, however there weren’t initially plans for the films to be released on any streaming service. The studio was more in favor of having their films shown through theatrical re-releases or home media as the best way of showcasing them to audiences. Chairman of Ghibli, Koji Hoshino, expressed that HBO Max is a home for premium content following the announcement of their films being on the service. Hoshino expanded on the comments saying the service will be beneficial to them due to Ghibli fans getting to enjoy their films and finding even more content with the service. He also expressed how this service will be good for new audiences to discover Studio Ghibli films for the first time.
The following Ghibli films will be included in the service.
Castle in the Sky
The Cat Returns
From Up On Poppy Hill
Howl’s Moving Castle
Kiki’s Delivery Service
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Ocean Waves
Only Yesterday
Pom Poko
Ponyo
Porco Rosso
Princess Mononoke
The Secret World of Arrietty
Spirited Away
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Tales From Earthsea
When Marnie Was There
Whisper of the Heart
The Wind Rises
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