I saw an online article on Facebook that caught my attention, Netflix Acquires Global Streaming Rights To Studio Ghibli Library. After reading through it and doing some further reading and research I can happily say that this is indeed true.
Get spirited away into the whimsical world of Studio Ghibli! Relive 21 timeless adventures starting this February. pic.twitter.com/F7uvRUMXMB
— Netflix South Africa (@NetflixSA) January 20, 2020
While Netflix does not have global rights, thankfully for us in SA, we will be part of the regions where Netflix will be showing Studio Ghibli films. Finally, I will be able to watch the movies. The movies will be screened in the original Japanese with English subtitles. The Ghibli movies will be available globally on Netflix except for in the U.S., Canada, and Japan.
Netflix has the rights to 21 of Studio Ghibli Titles. The films will be made available for streaming in three waves.
Wave 1 – 1 February 2020
- Castle in the Sky
- My Neighbor Totoro
- Kiki’s Delivery Service
- Only Yesterday
- Porco Rosso
- Ocean Waves
- Tales from Earthsea
Wave 2 – 1 March 2020
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- Princess Mononoke
- My Neighbors the Yamadas
- Spirited Away
- The Cat Returns
- Arrietty
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Wave 3 – 1 April 2020
- Pom Poko
- Whisper of the Heart
- Howl’s Moving Castle
- Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
- From Up on Poppy Hill
- The Wind Rises
- When Marnie Was There
I myself am planning to watch all 21 of the Ghibli movies that will be made available for a number of reasons. Ranging from encouraging the platform to pick up and invest in more animation from Japan, to simply just wanting to watch and enjoy the studio’s movies.
Your thoughts?