Image courtesy of GKIDS. © 1989 Eiko Kadono/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, N
Image courtesy of GKIDS. © 1989 Eiko Kadono/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, N
KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE, the timeless and beloved classic from Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki and globally celebrated animation house Studio Ghibli, comes to North American cinemas, presented newly remastered in 4K, exclusively in IMAX theatres. The release marks the first time ever that KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE will play on IMAX screens. Following last year’s announcement of GKIDS’ continued partnership with IMAX to bring further remastered 4K Studio Ghibli titles to North American audiences, Kiki’s Delivery Service is the latest Studio Ghibli title in the continued partnership, set to debut exclusively in IMAX theatres in the US and Canada beginning March 13, 2026. Tickets are on sale now with showings in both the original Japanese language with subtitles and English language dubbed versions.
First released in 1989, KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE is one of Director Hayao Miyazaki’s most adored features from Studio Ghibli. The hand-drawn, animated feature, based on the novel by Eiko Kadono, is produced, written, and directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, and features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator, the renowned composer Joe Hisaishi. The new 4K remaster highlights the great thought and care put into every frame of the film, celebrating the authentic craftsmanship of Studio Ghibli’s detailed artwork.
KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE will be followed by 4K screenings of Studio Ghibli's WHISPER OF THE HEART and THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY, exclusively in IMAX theatres in the US and Canada on April 21 and May 19, respectively.
Synopsis:
Celebrate this beloved coming-of-age story from the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of SPIRITED AWAY, and Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, about a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt.
It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside town, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world, featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, and Debbie Reynolds.
Image courtesy of GKIDS. © 1989 Eiko Kadono/Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli, N
About GKIDS
GKIDS is the Academy Award–winning curator, producer, and distributor of artist-driven, globally inspired cinema dedicated to connecting North American audiences with distinctive stories from around the world. Widely celebrated for its leadership in the “animation is film” movement, the studio has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape for feature animation in the U.S. and internationally for nearly two decades. GKIDS represents the work of many of the world’s most acclaimed animation filmmakers, including Makoto Shinkai (YOUR NAME., WEATHERING WITH YOU), Satoshi Kon (PERFECT BLUE, MILLENNIUM ACTRESS), Tomm Moore (SONG OF THE SEA, WOLFWALKERS), Mamoru Hosoda (MIRAI, WOLFWALKERS), and serves as the North American home of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli.
This year’s Academy Award nominations mark the studio’s milestone of 15 Academy Award nominations overall with a first nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling with KOKUHO, and a 14th nomination in the Best Animated Feature category with LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN. The studio took home a win in the category in 2024 for Hayao Miyazaki’s THE BOY AND THE HERON.
Building on this legacy, GKIDS recently expanded into live-action film, applying the same thoughtful curation and innovative distribution strategies to filmmaker-driven projects reflecting diverse global perspectives and bold creative ambition. GKIDS also produces the popular, annual, nationwide Ghibli Fest, and is the founder and producer of the LA-based ANIMATION IS FILM festival, the premier U.S. showcase for global feature animation.
In addition to KOKUHO, upcoming theatrical releases include the highly anticipated GODZILLA MINUS ZERO, the follow up to director Takaski Yamazaki’s Academy Award-winning GODZILLA MINUS ONE; and SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM, the latest Aardman feature in the beloved Oscar-nominated film series. In addition to the Oscar-nominated LITTLE AMÉLIE AND THE CHARACTER OF RAIN, recent theatrical releases are the box office hit JUJUTSU KAISEN: EXECUTION, Mamoru Oshii’s cult classic ANGEL’S EGG, and the critically acclaimed ALL YOU NEED IS KILL, alongside groundbreaking television series such as DAN DA DAN, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, and ARCANE: LEAGUE OF LEGENDS.
@GKIDSFilms