Full Breakdown
GKIDS Secures UK & Ireland Distribution for Studio Ghibli Library
7/3/2026, 9:42:49 PM
Core Deal and IMAX Launch
GKIDS, the Toho-owned distributor, announced on 2 July 2026 that it has acquired theatrical, home-video, TV and digital rights to Studio Ghibli’s 23-film catalogue in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The rollout begins with an IMAX screening of Hayao Miyazaki’s 1989 feature *Kiki’s Delivery Service* on 21 August 2026.
Library Overview
The catalogue includes two Academy Award winners – *Spirited Away* (2001) and *The Boy and the Heron* (2023) – and four Oscar-nominated titles such as *Howl’s Moving Castle* and *The Tale of the Princess Kaguya*. Other staples are *Princess Mononoke*, *My Neighbor Totoro*, *Ponyo* and *Castle in the Sky*.
Partners and Negotiators
- GKIDS, led by President David Jesteadt.
- Goodfellas (Vincent Maraval) retains Netflix streaming rights.
- Anime Limited, Glasgow-based distributor owned by Toho Global, will co-manage releases.
- Negotiated by Eric Beckman (GKIDS) and Vincent Maraval (Goodfellas).
Rollout Timeline
- 2 July 2026 – Deal announced.
- 21 August 2026 – IMAX debut of *Kiki’s Delivery Service*.
- Fall 2026 – Launch of 4K Ghibli remasters in IMAX and on physical media; full home-video relaunch.
- 2027 onward – Planned IMAX screenings of *Arrietty* and *Whisper of the Heart*; development of a live-action TV series based on Eiko Kadono’s novels.
Official Statements
David Jesteadt said GKIDS will treat the Ghibli catalog with care and promised a re-introduction of the films with the IMAX launch. Vincent Maraval praised GKIDS’s thorough knowledge of the catalog and enthusiasm for the titles, and expressed excitement about bringing the library to UK and Irish audiences. Goodfellas will continue to manage streaming rights, currently licensed to Netflix.
Impact and Market Significance
Restoring wide theatrical access revives Ghibli’s cultural presence in the region and supports Toho Global’s broader European expansion. The simultaneous IMAX and 4K strategy targets both longtime fans and new viewers, while the home-video relaunch creates a durable catalogue for collectors.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Gkids is delighted to extend our relationship with Studio Ghibli into the U.K. and Ireland, and to have this opportunity to reintroduce these incomparable films to audiences old and new,” — David Jesteadt, President, GKIDS
- “We promise U.K. and Irish fans that we will take loving care of the Ghibli catalog, beginning with the Imax release of Kiki’s Delivery Service this summer, and expand from there across all home video and digital platforms,” — David Jesteadt
- “We are very happy to be working together with Gkids to bring the renowned Studio Ghibli library to U.K. and Irish audiences,” — Vincent Maraval, President, Goodfellas
- “Gkids has a deep understanding and passion for the films and they have been exemplary in their management of the Ghibli brand in North America.” — Vincent Maraval
Upcoming Projects
Beyond the initial IMAX run, GKIDS will issue the full library on Blu-ray and DVD, release the 4K remasters, and co-release Toho’s *Godzilla Minus Zero* in the UK and Ireland. A live-action television adaptation of *Kiki’s Delivery Service* is also in development.
