North American distributor GKIDS have announced that they have acquired the UK distribution license (which covers Cinema, Home Video and Digital formats) for all 23 Studio Ghibli films. Additionally, in partnership with UK distributor Anime Limited, and the independent production company Goodfellas, the 1991 Studio Ghibli Film Kiki’s Delivery Service will receive an IMAX Cinema release on the 21st August 2026 in the UK with further cinematic releases planned for Arrietty and Whisper of the Heart later this year.
The news of GKIDS acquriing the UK distribution license to Studio Ghibli films does come as a bit of a surprise, but was to be expected. The past distributor (Elysian Film Group) for Studio Ghibli films announced its insolvency last month, and GKIDS are the distributor for the films in the US, so it makes sense that GKIDS would acquire them for the UK. The acquisition of these titles for the UK market means that they can continue to be available and accessible to UK audiences, as well as treated to cinematic events and new home video releases.
According to the press release the deal was negotiated by Eric Beckman at GKIDS and Vincent Maraval at Goodfellas, the sales agent for Studio Ghibli *worldwide. This new deal will see GKIDS own the rights to Studio Ghibli films for the UK and Ireland and include theatrical, home video, TV, and digital. Interestingly Goodfellas will still retain streaming rights for the UK and Ireland where it has been licensed to Netflix (which is why Studio Ghibli films still remain accessible on Netflix). Here is what David Jesteadt, President of GKIDS, had to say about this acquisition for the UK market and what they hope to achieve:
“GKIDS is delighted to extend our relationship with Studio Ghibli into the UK and Ireland, and to have this opportunity to reintroduce these incomparable films to audiences old and new. We promise UK and Irish fans that we will take loving care of the Ghibli catalog, beginning with the IMAX release of Kiki’s Delivery Service this summer, and expand from there across all home video and digital platforms. Our deep thanks to our longtime friends at Goodfellas for entrusting us with these masterpieces and to everyone at Studio Ghibli for their continued trust and support.”
To celebrate this acquisition of Studio Ghibli films for the UK; GKIDS, in partnership with Anime Limited and Goodfellas, will give Kiki’s Delivery Service a new theatrical-run in cinemas on the 21st August 2026 with tickets on sale from 9th July 2026 at participating cinema chains.
Unlike past releases of Kiki’s Delivery Service this new version has been remastered in 4K, much like how Princess Mononoke was remastered in 4K and shown in cinemas last year, and was previously released in cinemas across North America earlier this year by GKIDS.
Synopsis: Children’s Japanese anime.13-year-old Kiki is a young witch who, at her mother’s request, is setting out on a year-long apprenticeship with her black cat in tow. She ends up in a little coastal town, but the locals have a ‘no witches’ policy. She befriends an old woman who fusses over her, but then one day she wakes up and realises she can’t make her broom levitate nor can she talk to her cat. What will Kiki do?
Tickets for the film are scheduled to go on sale at participating cinema chains from 9th July 2026, with the film planned for release on 21st August 2026 in the UK. Those interested in being notified of ticket availability for Kiki’s Delivery Service can also register their interest through the official website.
US Trailer:
