It’s one factor to supply a extensively acclaimed animated film, and it is one other factor to supply a extensively acclaimed animated film that rivals the easiest of the iconic Hayao Miyazaki. Well, that is what the man himself did in 2023, along with his emotionally gripping fantasy drama The Boy and the Heron proving to be a few of his finest work to this point. The winner of the 2024 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the film was Miyazaki’s first new undertaking in a decade, proving good issues really come to those that wait.

Another Studio Ghibli manufacturing, the characteristic has been hailed as a masterpiece, and in contrast favorably in opposition to the easiest in the manufacturing firm’s again catalog. This is, in fact, no imply feat, seeing as Studio Ghibli is behind a few of the most beloved animated tales of all time, from Spirited Away to Howl’s Moving Castle. Following his mom’s demise, the movie follows a younger boy who strikes to the countryside, quickly to be taken into the world of fantasy, in a spot that exists balanced between life and demise, all because of a speaking Grey Heron. Despite the film’s field workplace success, changing into the largest opening in Studio Ghibli’s historical past, grossing $13.2 million in its opening weekend, there are nonetheless many who’ve but to take pleasure in its magic. So, with that in thoughts, this is a have a look at how one can watch and stream The Boy and the Heron.

Editor’s Note: This piece was edited on July 28, 2024.

The Boy and the Heron

A younger boy named Mahito, craving for his mom, ventures right into a world shared by the residing and the useless. There, demise involves an finish, and life finds a brand new starting. A semi-autobiographical fantasy from the thoughts of Hayao Miyazaki.

Release Date

December 8, 2023

Cast

Soma Santoki , Masaki Suda , Takuya Kimura , Aimyon

Runtime

124 minutes

Production Company

Studio Ghibli, Toho Company

Expand

When Will ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Be on VOD?

Officially, The Boy and the Heron grew to become out there on many main platforms on June 25, 2024. This was not the solely main launch that was made out there on this date, with the latest Cannes-debuting Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiering on VOD on June 25, making for an intriguing double-bill.

How Much Is ‘The Boy and the Heron’ to Buy?

The Boy and the Heron is now out there to hire and purchase on the likes of Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Vudu. The movie might be bought in HD for $19.99 or you should buy the movie in SD for $14.99. You can try every out there platform by way of the hyperlinks beneath:

What Streaming Service Will ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Be On?

For viewers inside the US, Miyazaki’s newest masterpiece will likely be out there on Max on Friday, September 6, 2024, as confirmed by GKids. This follows a multiyear settlement between Studio Ghibli and Warner Bros. Discovery for the streamer to carry unique movie rights for Studio Ghibli productions. The film joins a stacked lineup of latest motion pictures which have joined Max in the previous few months together with Dune: Part Two, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Love Lies Bleeding, and Problemista.

Max launched the official PR assertion for the launch on July 24, which learn:

Studio Ghibli’s Oscar®-winning and Golden Globe®-winning movie
THE BOY AND THE HERON
will make its U.S. streaming debut completely on
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
on Max. This hand-drawn, unique story is Hayao Miyazaki’s first characteristic movie in 10 years that’s each written and directed by the Academy Award®️-winning director. THE BOY AND THE HERON joins the remainder of the Studio Ghibli library on Max as a part of an unique multiyear U.S. deal introduced earlier this 12 months.

Currently, all however one among the manufacturing firm’s earlier works are on the platform, with the lacking piece of the puzzle sadly one among Ghibli’s finest – the 1988 animated paragon, Grave of the Fireflies. The film’s absence is because of its publishing rights not being owned by the studio’s normal publishing companion, Tokuma Shoten. Nevertheless, the catalog of Ghibli productions on Max is nothing in need of mouth-watering, with these with no subscription, who want one to observe The Boy and the Heron, ready to make use of this helpful desk beneath to determine what plan fits them.

Max Subscription Plans

Can You Watch ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Without Max?

As far as streaming goes, for US viewers, Max is sadly the solely streaming platform it is possible for you to to observe The Boy and the Heron with out buying it individually. However, excitingly, the film received a latest groundbreaking replace that made Studio Ghibli lovers squeal in delight. Officially, it was confirmed that The Boy and the Heron would change into the first ever Studio Ghibli film to obtain a 4K UHD launch. As of July 9, followers can buy the film in bodily kind, in 4K UHD + Blu-ray, Blu-ray + DVD, and in a Limited Edition Steelbook that features the 4K + Blu-ray combo. The movie is at present out there for pre-order from GKIDS and Shout Factory.

Outside the US, it has additionally been introduced that The Boy and the Heron will likely be making its manner onto Netflix, becoming a member of many different Studio Ghibli initiatives on the platform. The launch date for this has not but been introduced, so ensure that to remain tuned to Collider to search out out when any confirmations are made.

Watch ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Trailer

The official English trailer for The Boy and Heron, out there to observe above, superbly captures the sheer pleasure and magic Miyazaki’s film brings.

The official synopsis for The Boy and the Heron reads:

After shedding his mom in a hospital fireplace, younger Mahito strikes to his household’s property in the countryside. There, a collection of mysterious occasions lead him to a secluded and historical tower, dwelling to a mischievous grey heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the grey heron into the tower, and enters a unbelievable world shared by the residing and the useless. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his information, Mahito should uncover the secrets and techniques of this world, and the reality about himself. Featuring the voices of Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson, and Florence Pugh.

Translating from his soul onto the display screen by way of usually attractive 2D animation, the trailer showcases the easiest of Studio Ghibli’s iconic mix of emotionally poignant drama and fantasy, with the surprise evoked by this trailer only a slither of the limitless magnificence the full film holds. In his official overview of the movie, Collider’s Ross Bonaime mentioned:

“If this really does end up being his final film, it’s impossible to not appreciate what Miyazaki is doing here, and revel in him letting his ambition and curiosity take over. In a career full of continuous surprises, The Boy and Heron’s biggest surprise might be just how magical and unique his work still feels after all these years. It cements Miyazaki as a talent who will go down as one of the greatest directors ever, regardless of when he decides to call it quits.”