HBO made an announcement that Studio Ghibli films would be available to stream on their service, HBO Max, in the spring. This marked the first time these movies would be digital in the USA. Very soon, you can digital download-to-own each Studio Ghibli film the United States and Canada on December 17, 2019. Making it the first time, digital downloads of Studio Ghibli Films confirmed. The films will be available to purchase at the following services:
- Apple TV
- Amazon VOD
- VUDU
- Google Play
- Sony
- Microsoft
- Fandango Now
Confirmed Studio Ghibli Films for purchasing:
- 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 (Available Q3 2020)
Each film will be available to purchase in both English and Japanese languages on all major digital transactional platforms. If you prefer to stream, you can still when you sign-up for HBO Max in May 2020. The animated films will be in HD and priced at $19.99 each. Additionally, a six-film bundle of some of the studio’s most popular titles, featuring Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away, will be offered by platforms for a suggested retail price of $99.99. Too bad there isn’t a bundle for everything at a sale price.
Regarding digital purchases being used on Movies Anywhere service, GKIDS has confirmed how the digital purchases will work:
Digital copies of the Ghibli films will be tied to the platform on which they are purchased, and so will not be compatible with Movies Anywhere.
— GKIDS Films (@GKIDSfilms) December 3, 2019
Regardless, digital downloads of Studio Ghibli films are finally happening and fans of the studio couldn’t be more excited.
UPDATE (12/3/19): We added confirmation from GKIDS regarding Movies Anywhere service and digital purchases.
Source: GKIDS PR
