Studio Ghibli Fest 2026: Schedule, Films & Ticket Guide
Studio Ghibli Fest 2026: 7 films return to US theaters, from Ponyo to Spirited Away's 25th anniversary. Schedule, tickets, and finding screenings near you.
Watching a Ghibli film on a laptop is fine. Watching one with a packed theater that gasps at the same frame you do is something else. Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 is GKIDS and Fathom Entertainment’s yearly theatrical run, and this year’s lineup is stacked with anniversaries. Here’s everything to know before you buy tickets.
What Is Studio Ghibli Fest 2026?
Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 is the annual event that puts Ghibli films back on the big screen across the United States. GKIDS, the studio’s North American distributor, teams up with Fathom Entertainment to run the screenings from June through October 2026. Every screening includes special bonus content. The Fest was first announced at CinemaCon. It has become the easiest way for American fans to see these films the way they were meant to be seen. Huge, loud, and surrounded by people who love them.
If you’ve never been, think of it less like a normal movie night and more like a concert for animation nerds. Cosplay in the lobby is normal. Crying during the opening of a film you’ve seen ten times is normal.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 Schedule: Every Film and Date
Seven films made the 2026 lineup. Times are local, and the pattern is consistent. Weekend afternoon shows are English dubbed, Monday and Tuesday evenings are subtitled, and Wednesday evenings are dubbed again.
| Film | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ponyo | June 13-17 | Fest opener |
| My Neighbor Totoro | July 11-15 | Dubbed weekend shows |
| Tales from Earthsea | Aug 8 & 10 | 20th anniversary, two days only |
| Only Yesterday | Aug 9 & 11 | 35th anniversary, two days only |
| Castle in the Sky | Aug 22-26 | 40th anniversary |
| Princess Mononoke | Sept 26-30 | New 4K remaster |
| Spirited Away | Oct 17-21 | 25th anniversary, Fest closer |
The anniversary picks are the real draw this year. Tales from Earthsea and Only Yesterday rarely get theatrical runs, so their two-day windows will sell out in bigger cities. And Princess Mononoke in a fresh 4K remaster on a proper screen is worth the ticket alone.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 Tickets: Where to Buy
Tickets are sold through Fathom Entertainment’s website, the official Ghibli Fest site, and at participating theater box offices. Theater participation can shift, so always confirm your local cinema on the official site before planning around it.
The screenings run at participating Studio Ghibli theaters nationwide, and Fathom events typically play major chains. Studio Ghibli AMC showtimes and Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 Cinemark listings both appear in the official theater finder, alongside independent cinemas. Hunting for a Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 Cinemark showtime? Or checking what your local AMC is running? The official theater finder is faster than searching each chain’s site separately.
One money-saving tip: BoxLunch and Hot Topic gave 2026 Fest attendees 25% off in-store purchases. Just show a ticket stub. If you’re planning a merch run anyway, see the movie first and keep the stub.
Finding Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 Near Me
The fastest way to find Studio Ghibli movies in theaters near you is the official theater finder on the Fest site. Punch in your zip code and it lists participating cinemas, dates, and showtimes. Searching “studio ghibli in theaters near me” works in a pinch, but the official finder has the actual participating locations.
Coverage is genuinely national, and the official finder answers them all. These are the searches fans run every year:
- studio ghibli events near me or studio ghibli near me for the full local lineup
- studio ghibli in theatres near me, if you spell it the British way
- Studio Ghibli Chicago showtimes, plus studio ghibli fest 2026 chicago and studio ghibli fest chicago listings when dates drop
- studio ghibli denver market, which reliably gets multiple cinemas
- Studio Ghibli Texas theaters, from Dallas to Austin
- the published studio ghibli in theaters 2026 dates, the source of truth for the whole run
Big metro areas usually get multiple theaters per film; smaller towns often get one cinema carrying the full run. If your city only has one participating theater, book the anniversary titles early. The two-day-only films are the ones that sell out.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 vs 2026
The 2025 Fest was already a strong year, but 2026 is built around milestones. Four of the seven films are anniversary screenings. Tales from Earthsea (20th), Only Yesterday (35th), Castle in the Sky (40th), and Spirited Away (25th). Add the 4K remaster of Princess Mononoke. You get a lineup that rewards longtime fans who have already seen the big titles at home. If you went in 2025 mostly for Totoro and Spirited Away, 2026 is the year for deep cuts. Only Yesterday almost never plays theatrically, and this is your chance to catch it.
Beyond the Fest: Orchestra Concerts, Exhibits, and the Torrance Pop-Up
The Fest isn’t the only Ghibli event on the calendar. Joe Hisaishi, the composer behind nearly every Ghibli score, tours the world with full orchestras performing the music live. A studio ghibli in concert evening or a studio ghibli joe hisaishi concert is a different ticket from the Fest. Those are sold through concert venues. Dedicated Studio Ghibli orchestra concerts and studio ghibli orchestra nyc dates tend to sell out fast. Join venue presales if you want good seats.
Museum-style exhibits travel too. The Academy Museum in Los Angeles opened a special exhibition on Ponyo and its hand-drawn animation. Traveling Ghibli exhibitions appear in cities worldwide. If you spot a studio ghibli exhibit la listing or a studio ghibli exhibit jeju announcement, verify dates on the venue’s official page. Touring exhibitions change every year.
And if you’re in Southern California, 2026 brought the first-ever official US Ghibli store. It was the studio ghibli torrance pop up, a Donguri Republic shop that ran through December 31, 2026. It stocked over 400 officially licensed items. There was a giant Totoro at a bus stop display, plus exclusive film-style bookmarks for Fest attendees. Holiday shoppers also hunt the seasonal Studio Ghibli advent calendar 2026 drops, which tend to sell out online within days.
Studio Ghibli Fest vs Ghibli Park: Don’t Buy the Wrong Tickets
This mix-up happens every year, so let’s clear it up. The Fest is a US theater event. Ghibli Park is the theme park in Japan, and its tickets are a completely separate system sold months in advance on the park’s official site. If you’re searching for Studio Ghibli Japan tickets or Studio Ghibli Tokyo tickets, note the park is actually near Nagoya, not Tokyo. You’re planning a Japan trip, not a movie night. Our Ghibli Park ticket guide covers that side in detail.
Similarly, some theaters run an unofficial “Studio Ghibli week” style marathon outside the GKIDS/Fathom dates. Fun, but only the official schedule above is the real Studio Ghibli event of the year.
Between screenings, there is plenty to explore. You can rank the best Studio Ghibli movies with our list or find where to watch Studio Ghibli movies at home. Browse official Studio Ghibli merch, meet the most loved Studio Ghibli characters, and admire the hand-painted Studio Ghibli art that makes these films timeless.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happens at Studio Ghibli Fest 2026?
It’s GKIDS and Fathom Entertainment’s annual theatrical event, running June through October 2026 in US cinemas. It screens seven Ghibli films, including Ponyo, My Neighbor Totoro, and the 25th anniversary of Spirited Away. The lineup also includes a 4K remaster of Princess Mononoke, and each screening has bonus content.
How do I buy Studio Ghibli Fest tickets?
Tickets are sold through Fathom Entertainment’s site, the official Ghibli Fest site, and participating theater box offices. Theater participation can change, so confirm your local cinema on the official site before you buy.
Are Studio Ghibli Fest screenings dubbed or subtitled?
Both. Weekend screenings are usually English dubbed, while Monday and Tuesday evening shows are subtitled in the original Japanese. Wednesday shows are typically dubbed again.
Will the Fest play in my city?
The event runs at participating theaters nationwide, and past years have covered major markets including Chicago, Denver, Texas cities, and New York. Use the official theater finder and search for screenings near you.
Is Studio Ghibli Fest good for kids?
Yes. Most Ghibli films are rated G or PG, and the weekend dubbed screenings are the easiest option for younger viewers who can’t read subtitles quickly.
What changed from Studio Ghibli Fest 2025?
The 2026 edition leans into anniversaries: Tales from Earthsea turns 20, Only Yesterday turns 35, Castle in the Sky turns 40, and Spirited Away turns 25. There is also a new 4K remaster of Princess Mononoke.
Can I buy merch at the screenings?
BoxLunch and Hot Topic offered 25% off in-store purchases to 2026 attendees showing a ticket stub. For the biggest selection, the Donguri Republic pop-up in Torrance, California ran through December 31, 2026.