This one is for the Ghibli lovers.♡
Many people are already aware that the movies made by Studio Ghibli are something special. Many, including myself, even have one or two Studio Ghibli films that consume our entire being, that remain with us far beyond their runtime. A favorite, in a more simpler term. That is to say, these movies are incredible.
“Extraordinary in the ordinary”, is how I would personally describe these animated features. Many of these movies present mundane, domestic themes in a lighthearted view, often incorporating mythological and fantastical concepts, yet they never shy away from the horrors and bitter parts of reality. The audience is drawn in by stories of witches, pirates, spirits, and normal humans as they experience their day-to-day routines and problems, then will leave with messages and thoughts on mindfulness, gratefulness and a genuine desire not to take what life has given us for granted. Studio Ghibli creates captivating tales that recognize both the beauty and the ugliness that we as humans- as a society, have contributed to.
Many of us in the U.S. were introduced to these films as children either via streaming (think very early Netflix), video rental stores, or by other random, unorthodox means. It was only fairly recently that these movies have became more easily accessible. MAX now has all of the Studio Ghibli films on their platform and newer Ghibli pictures have received nationwide theatrical releases as they come out. While this is an amazing development and it’s been heartwarming to see how far we’ve come in terms of the distribution of international media, unfortunately, for a long time, there very little way to watch the older Studio Ghibli films on the big screen.
Fortunately, now you can.
GKIDS
GKIDS is a producer and distributor of various animation projects (watch Dan Da Dan in theaters this September), including as you may guess, the Studio Ghibli films. Since 2017, GKIDS has created this yearlong event that brings the beloved Studio Ghibli films to the big screen across North America for special screenings.
During its annual run, the lineup of Ghibli movies will change while keeping a few staples each year (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke). If they happen to having showtimes near you, now’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a nice, cozy movie date.
Buying A Movie Ticket?
In regards to myself, going to see a movie in theaters has always meant a lot. I loved going with my mom as a child to see a ton of new releases, especially when Movie Pass was thing (iykyk). However, I stopped going as often as I got older. Too much money and not many movies I wanted to go see, busy with school and other responsibilities, movies just weren’t a top priority. Recently, I’ve reignited my passion of going to the movie theater.
Movies like Barbie, MAXXXINE, Super Mario have made me excited to go see movies in the theater again. I’m just having a lot of fun again? Whether I go with other people, or by myself, I excited to sneak in some snacks and get comfy in the cushioned seats. Ghibli Fest is absolutely no exception!
I acknowledge that others, maybe yourself, don’t feel the same way and that’s okay! There’s so many factors that also need to be taken into account as well right? Ticket prices are higher, you might be a person that likes going to the movie with other people and can’t find someone to go with, maybe you just don’t like or feel comfortable going to the cinema. These are all valid and this post is not to pressure anyone into doing things they don’t want. Going to the movies is a luxury and a privilege not afforded to everyone, so there’s no shame for opting out of this idea. As previously stated, MAX has the movies on their app so if you prefer to have a cozy at home movie marathon, go for it (invite me too please)!
Ghibli on the Big Screen
I’ve gone several times throughout the years to see various films on the Ghibli Fest lineup. Even this year, I went went with a group of people to see Princess Mononoke. It was my first time watching the movie in YEARS and it was wonderful experience. There’s something inherently special about seeing a movie on a theater screen, with its intended dimensions audio quality. For Studio Ghibli specifically, this rings true even more.
One may feel a sense of nostalgia as that blue screen appears. The Studio Ghibli logo appearing with Totoro staring off the side within the darkened room lures you into your own world, and suddenly you’re a child again. The movies you may have watched at home one way or another; the very first time you seen Howl appear, Chihiro walk through that tunnel, Sheeta fall from the sky, these moments start to hit you all at once as the movie starts. This is your childhood. You still get the warm feelings and laugh at the same parts, though something is different. The picture is a bit more crisp and vibrant, the sound is clearer than ever, everything seems enhanced. You’ve seen this movie countless times, yet somehow this time feels like the very first time.
That’s how seeing a Ghibli movie in the theaters feels.
These are older movies, they don’t look new and nor do they feel new. It’s something the audience has most likely seen before, but that doesn’t make the watch through any less impactful for the viewer. Even for those who’ve never seen a single Ghibli film, there may be a feeling similar to nostalgia that comes out while watching. Anyone can relate to the contents of Ghibli movies, from kids to adults. Walking into a theater room and seeing people from different backgrounds, ages, cultures show how universal the love and appreciation that these movies have cultivated. Taking the chance to see these classic films is truly a one of a kind experience.
Whether you choose to watch a Ghibli movie in the theater or not is up to you. But if you choose to and are able to do so, I hope that you can experience something similar to what I’ve described here. If not, maybe we can discuss the differences in our opinions, that’s also fine. It’s a treat to yourself, something special that you can cherish even if it’s only one time. I hope more people can have the opportunity to see these movies in the cinema.
If you’re interested in Ghibli Fest, you can look up if theaters near you will be participating and buy tickets on the GKIDS website: https://gkids.com/ghiblifest/.
Thank you for reading 🙂
-Sundai
Sundai Paper 
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