Studio Ghibli guide
Studio Ghibli Fest 2026: Spirited Away Dates and Full Lineup
Studio Ghibli Fest is the yearly event that brings Ghibli classics back to US cinemas. The 2026 edition ends this week with Spirited Away’s 25th anniversary screenings, October 17-21. Here’s the schedule, how to get tickets and how the Fest works every year.
By James Henry · Last updated: October 19, 2026
Quick answer · start here
Spirited Away (25th anniversary) plays in participating US theaters on Oct 17, 18 and 21 (English dub) and Oct 19 and 20 (Japanese with English subtitles). Tickets are on sale through GKIDS and Fathom Entertainment.
Spirited Away screenings: October 17-21, 2026
| Date | Time | Version |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct 17 | 3:00 PM | English dub |
| Sunday, Oct 18 | 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM | English dub |
| Monday, Oct 19 | 7:00 PM | Japanese, English subtitles |
| Tuesday, Oct 20 | 7:00 PM | Japanese, English subtitles |
| Wednesday, Oct 21 | 7:00 PM | English dub |
Times are local. Check your theater for exact listings, including AMC, Regal and Cinemark locations in cities like Chicago.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2026: the full lineup
GKIDS and Fathom Entertainment announced the 2026 lineup at CinemaCon on April 16, 2026. Seven films ran from June to October:
| Film | Why it’s special in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Ponyo | Opened the Fest on June 13 |
| My Neighbor Totoro | Fan favourite |
| Tales from Earthsea | 20th anniversary; first time in Ghibli Fest |
| Only Yesterday | 35th anniversary |
| Castle in the Sky | 40th anniversary |
| Princess Mononoke | New 4K remaster |
| Spirited Away | 25th anniversary; closes the Fest, Oct 17-21 |
Bonus: Spirited Away: Live On Stage, a filmed performance of the stage adaptation, screened on October 1 and 8, with two different actresses playing Chihiro: Kanna Hashimoto (October 1) and Mone Kamishiraishi (October 8).
How Studio Ghibli Fest works every year
- Who runs it: GKIDS (Ghibli’s North American distributor) with Fathom Entertainment.
- When: the lineup is usually revealed in spring, and screenings run through summer and autumn, roughly one film a month.
- Dub or sub: most films get both English-dubbed and Japanese-subtitled showings.
- Where: participating AMC, Regal, Cinemark and independent theaters across the US.
Looking for Studio Ghibli Fest 2025? This page now tracks the current year. Here is last year’s lineup, which marked the studio’s 40th anniversary:
| Film | Ghibli Fest 2025 dates |
|---|---|
| Kiki’s Delivery Service | May 17-21 |
| Arrietty | June 22-24 |
| My Neighbor Totoro | July 19-23 |
| Grave of the Fireflies | August 10-12 |
| Ponyo | August 23-27 |
| Howl’s Moving Castle | September 20-24 |
| Spirited Away | October 18-22 |
| The Boy and the Heron | November 15-19 |
Studio Ghibli Fest 2027: what we know
The 2027 lineup hasn’t been announced yet. Based on past years, expect news in spring 2027. We’ll update this page the day it’s out. Bookmark it and check back in spring.
Tips for attending Studio Ghibli Fest
- Book early. Popular films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro often sell out on opening night.
- Choose sub or dub. Many screenings alternate between the English dub and the original Japanese with subtitles, so check your ticket.
- Arrive early. Some screenings include special introductions or bonus content before the film.
- Bring the family. Most Ghibli films are family-friendly, so Studio Ghibli Fest is a great first cinema trip for kids.
- Follow your local cinema. Theatre chains announce extra dates when demand is high.
Which Studio Ghibli Fest films are best for kids?
| Film | Good for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| My Neighbor Totoro | young children | gentle, cozy and short |
| Ponyo | young children | colourful and playful |
| Kiki’s Delivery Service | ages 6+ | warm story about growing up |
| Castle in the Sky | ages 8+ | adventure with flying machines |
| Spirited Away | ages 8+ | magical, with a few scary moments |
| Princess Mononoke | ages 12+ | more intense battles |
Why see Ghibli films on the big screen?
Studio Ghibli films are famous for hand-drawn backgrounds, detailed animation and rich soundtracks by composers such as Joe Hisaishi. A cinema screen and sound system show details that are easy to miss at home, which is why many fans return to Studio Ghibli Fest every year.
Why follow our Studio Ghibli Fest guide?
Our Studio Ghibli Fest guide lists the current lineup, explains how screenings work and tracks news about the next festival. Check this Studio Ghibli Fest page before you book tickets, and bookmark it so you can see new dates as soon as they are announced.
More ways to see Ghibli on the big screen
- IMAX: GKIDS and IMAX are releasing new 4K restorations of Ghibli films in IMAX in 2026, overseen by Ghibli’s Atsushi Okui. Kiki’s Delivery Service opened in IMAX on March 13, 2026.
- Concerts: Studio Ghibli in concert and orchestra events playing Joe Hisaishi’s scores tour cities regularly. Check local listings for “Joe Hisaishi concert” or “Ghibli orchestra”.
- Shopping: the first official US Studio Ghibli store is open in Torrance, CA until December 31, 2026. See our Studio Ghibli merch guide.
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