Miyazaki Hayao’s Oscar-winning film The Boy and the Heron is coming to Netflix after the global streaming giant extended its partnership with Goodfellas and GKIDS. Under the deal, Netflix will continue to be the home for movies and series produced by Oscar-winning Japanese studio Studio Ghibli.
Unfortunately, the deal does not include the streaming rights for the United States, Canada and Japan. For those who reside in these three countries, they'll likely have to turn to another streaming service to watch The Boy and the Heron. No official streaming announcement has been made, but it's expected that the film will land on Max, which is already where the rest of the Studio Ghibli collection resides
A hand-drawn fantasy adventure, The Boy and the Heron is written and directed by the Oscar-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. The "big fantastical film" follows a boy named Mahito Maki who moves to his family's estate in the countryside after losing his mother during the war. Upon discovering an ancient, secluded tower, Mahito, with the encouragement of a gray heron, enters and embarks on an epic journey through a world shared by the living and the dead.
The Boy and the Heron was Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years. It was produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki and features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film “Spinning Globe” was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu. Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbor Totoro, was the production company.
The Boy and the Heron were released in theaters in Japan in July 2023. It grossed $13.2 million in its opening weekend, becoming Studio Ghibli's biggest opening (surpassing 2004's Howl's Moving Castle). By March 2024, it had grossed $61 million in Japan with an additional $111.9 million worldwide, bringing its total gross to $172.9 million.
It was the first original anime film and Miyazaki's first film to reach number one at the box office in Canada and the United States.
Its financial success was matched by its critical success. It sits at a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes with an 88% Audience Score. Critics, calling it "another Miyazaki masterpiece," praised its "soulfully exploring thought-provoking themes through a beautifully animated lens."
The Boy and the Heron has won numerous awards, including Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globe Awards and Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.