Studio Ghibli might already be well-known for its whimsical fantasy tales, but this rich history did little to prepare fans for the ever-exciting adventure experienced in “The Boy and the Heron.” The animated film took home a whopping $127 million at the box office, becoming not only the top-grossing anime film ever released in North America, but likewise in Japan, as well.
Marked as the studio’s 24th film and director Hayao Miyazaki’s final animated creation, “The Boy and the Heron” certainly had ample hype surrounding it. The story follows the young Mahito in the throes of an enchanted mystery surrounding his new home. Although the passing of his mother has soured his meaning in life, Mahito still finds ample reason to live with — and eventually even love — those around him.
Taken from the Japanese kanji (and the novel it’s based on), the movie title’s true meaning of “How Do You Live?” best ascribes its outward feeling, and that feeling certainly shows in its many accolades. “The Boy and the Heron” has been nominated for several awards, including Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Oscars. It already won at the Golden Globes for Best Animated Feature Film.
In a similar fashion to Mahito’s “How Do You Live?” quandary, many might be wondering how best to revisit or even experience for the first time this fantasy extravaganza at home. In the wake of being snubbed at the Oscars, “The Boy and the Heron” streaming date and location becomes ever-more significant. Let’s dive in to find out when and where to watch Miyazaki’s latest masterpiece.
When and where to stream 'The Boy and the Heron'
When and where will 'The Boy and the Heron' be available for streaming?
Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” will find itself on one of the best streaming services in Max come September 6. The streamer is home to a wide swath of Studio Ghibli movies, making it the prime candidate for any of its newest releases.
Limited in its anime catalog, Max should do well in finally corralling almost all of Miyazaki's greatest hits on the platform. Max has lost a great deal of awesome animated shows, including one of the best anime for beginners in "Jujutsu Kaisen," but Miyazaki's heartfelt new addition will find the perfect home amongst such incredible movies like "Princess Mononoke" and "Castle in the Sky."
"The Boy and the Heron" marks Miyazaki's first film since 2014, which was the Oscar-nominated "The Wind Rises." Although he's stated it will be his last film, chances are the great anime director is not yet finished in his delivery of arguably the greatest animated films of our time — even at the ripe age of 83.
The film stars a slew of well-known names, including Robert Pattinson, Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, and even Mark Hamill. As mentioned previously, it's garnered immense praise, wrangling three Annie Awards, best animated feature in the Oscars, and best feature animation in the Golden Globes.
If waiting for its digital release just isn't your thing, well luckily for you there's a ton of different DVD releases available for hardcore fans to appreciate and enjoy. Those in the throes of awaiting the release of "The Boy and the Heron" this September 6, you can just as easily get lost within any alternative options among Ghibli’s incredible existing catalogue on Max — and, as it's my personal favorite of the bunch, you can't go wrong with "Kiki’s Delivery Service."
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