Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron is not only critically acclaimed, but it’s breaking box office records for the studio. Following the film’s recent successful opening weekend in the US, it’s now become the highest-grossing original Japanese animated feature in cinematic history.
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The film is the latest feature from Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki. The film has now earned approximately $25.3 million domestically, and it’s also made over $115 million worldwide. The film is earning critical acclaim across the globe, with a 96% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
THE BOY AND THE HERON BECOMES THE HIGHEST-GROSSING
Since its North American release, it has surpassed the US gross of the film Ponyo, which made $15.7 million. Additionally, the new Miyazaki feature is also the highest-grossing film in North America for the prestigious Studio Ghibli, which has produced multiple animated classics. Also, it is now the highest-grossing original (non-franchise IP) Japanese animated feature in North America. That record was previously held by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty, which ended with $19.5 million at the North American box office.
The Boy and the Heron will continue playing in North American theaters throughout the holiday season, courtesy of GKIDS, the producer and distributor of award-winning animated features across the globe. The film launched in North American theaters nationwide on Dec. 8, 2023.
This is also the first title in Studio Ghibli’s prestigious catalog to be released in IMAX premium formats, which is also a major milestone. The English-dubbed version of the film also boasts an all-star cast, featuring Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Robert Pattinson, and Florence Pugh.
In terms of the film’s growing accolades, it was recently nominated for Best Feature – Animated and Best Original Score at the Golden Globes. It also received the nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Critic’s Choice Awards, and it received the award for Best Animated Feature at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New York Film Critics Circle, Chicago Film Critics Association, and Boston Film Critics Association. Other honors include the National Board of Review naming it as one of the “Top 10 Films of the Year,” the Hollywood Creative Alliance, the Indiana Film Journalists Association, the North Texas Film Critics Association, Phoenix Film Critics Circle, and the Florida Film Critics Circle.
The film received its international premiere at the Opening Night Gala of the 48th Toronto International Film Festival. The film later made its U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival, and it was also the Opening Night of the Animation Is Film Festival in Los Angeles in IMAX at LA’s Chinese Theater.
This is a hand-drawn animated feature and Miyazaki’s first film in 10 years since The Wind Rises. It features an original story written and directed by Miyazaki. It’s produced by Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki and features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi.
The Boy and the Heron is playing in theaters now both subtitled and English dubbed. You can find out if the film is playing near you at the GKIDS website.
About The Boy and the Heron
Release: December 8, 2023
Original Story and Screenplay Written and Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer: Koji Kasamatsu
Supervising Animator: Takeshi Honda
Art Director: Yoji Takeshige
Production: Studio Ghibli
Distribution: GKIDS
Japanese Voice Cast: Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Ko Shibasaki, AIMYON, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura, Jun Kunimura, Shohei Hino
English Dub Cast: Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh
Synopsis: After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world and the truth about himself.
What do you think of the news? Have you seen The Boy and The Heron yet? Do you think it’s a masterpiece or one of Miyazaki’s greatest films? What is your favorite Studio Ghibli film? Let us know your thoughts about the film on The Illuminerdi’s social media.
SOURCE: GKIDS
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