Where To Watch The Boy And The Heron: Showtimes & Streaming Status

Long-time fans of Studio Ghibli’s animated movies might be wondering how to watch The Boy and the Heron, the studio’s latest feature-length film. Written and directed by Japanese film legend Hayao Miyazaki, The Boy and the Heron (Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka) is based on Genzaburō Yoshino’s 1937 novel of the same name, with the original title loosely translating to, “How Do You Live?” Despite announcing his retirement from film-making a decade ago, Miyazaki has continued to helm some of animation’s best projects. The Boy and the Heron, which is allegedly the most expensive film ever produced in Japan, draws from Miyazaki’s childhood in a refreshing way.

After co-founding Studio Ghibli in the mid-80s, Miyazaki went on to direct numerous artistic, critical, and commercial successes, including My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, and the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away. Following the success of the 2013 Oscar-nominated The Wind Rises, Miyazaki seemed ready to hand over the Studio Ghibli reins, but, after working on shorts and other projects, he returned. The Boy and the Heron, Miyazaki’s personal masterpiece, is also the twelfth animated feature he’s directed, making it a must-see for Studio Ghibli fans and cinephiles alike.

The Boy And The Heron Releases In Theaters On December 8, 2023

Released in Japan on July 14, 2023, The Boy and the Heron‘s U.S. theatrical debut didn’t coincide with that initial run. While the film has played at film festivals across the world following its Japanese premiere, the U.S. rollout does not expand to a wide release until December 8, 2023. This follows the film’s limited theatrical release and preview events that started on November 22. For most, it is not until the second weekend of December that Miyazaki’s new movie will be available to watch with the original Japanese cast and subtitles or with the English dub.

The Boy and the Heron

Release Date

July 14, 2023

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Cast

Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Aimyon, Shōhei Hino, Kô Shibasaki, Takuya Kimura, Yoshino Kimura

Rating

Not Rated

Runtime

124 Minutes

Find Showtimes For The Boy And The Heron

Theatrical showtimes from Friday, December 8 onward can be found via the links below:

• Fandango
• Regal
• AMC Theaters
• Alamo Drafthouse
• Cinemark
• Cineplex

When Will The Boy And The Heron Release On Streaming?

The Boy and the Heron‘s arrival on streaming remains unclear. The streaming release will follow its theatrical run and, more likely than not, happen a few weeks after the movie has been made available to rent or buy on digital. While rights vary from film to film, Max is the U.S. home for Studio Ghibli’s streaming releases, so it’s incredibly likely that The Boy and the Heron will follow suit and join Miyazaki’s library of films on Max. As for when that happens, audiences might have to wait until sometime in 2024 to see the Studio Ghibli production on streaming.

When Will The Boy And The Heron Release On Digital?

With reviews dubbing it Studio Ghibli’s best movie in years, The Boy and the Heron can’t come soon enough. For viewers who would rather watch The Boy and the Heron at home, there’s no official word yet on when it will be available on digital. Typically, a movie’s digital release — be it for rent or purchase — hinges on its theatrical success. While The Boy and the Heron has performed well overseas, it might only play in U.S. theaters for a few weeks. That said, a digital release in early 2024 is likely, providing audiences with another opportunity to watch The Boy and the Heron