Love Studio Ghibli? Then don’t miss Studio Ghibli Fest 2025, an annual celebration of all things Ghibli! This magical event brings fan-favorite films back to theaters in cities across the country, including Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). Ghibli Fest is the perfect excuse to grab some friends, indulge in nostalgia, and relive the idyllic magic on the big screen!
Table of Contents:
- What is Studio Ghibli Fest? And who is Hayao Miyazaki?
- Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 Schedule and Movie Line-Up
- Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 Basic Information
- Our Experience
- Why We Chose Studio Ghibli Fest
- Summary
What is Studio Ghibli Fest 2025? And who is Hayao Miyazaki?
Made famous for its masterful storytelling, Studio Ghibli is more than just an animation studio—it’s a global phenomenon with a HUGE fanbase. Since its founding in 1985, this iconic Japanese powerhouse has captivated audiences of all ages. With hits like Academy-Award winner Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle, Studio Ghibli has become synonymous with magic and wonder. It boasts spellbinding art, unforgettable characters, and emotionally rich stories. Its films are more than movies—they’re cultural treasures that have inspired everything from theme parks to fashion lines.
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At the heart of it all is Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary co-founder and creative genius who brought many of these masterpieces to life. He’s often called the Walt Disney of Japan — but honestly, that doesn’t even scratch the surface. Miyazaki is a master storyteller, a meticulous artist, and — fun fact — a total riot in real life. Whether he’s joking about retiring (again) or teasing his team for using too much CGI, his humor is as sharp as his artistic vision.
Miyazaki: Grumpy Old Man
“Filmmaking only brings suffering.
Can’t believe I actually want to do another one.”
Hayao Miyazaki
We love that grumpy old man! And here’s some cool backstory for you: in the 1980s, Miyazaki befriended a guy named John Lasseter, who just happened to work at Disney. Their mutual admiration for animation sparked a friendship that eventually led to Disney teaming up with Ghibli to share its movies with the world. Thanks to this partnership, we’ve been able to enjoy these films in beautifully dubbed versions while still keeping their original magic. Long story short, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli redefined animation and created something amazing. And now you’re invited to be a part of it.
Image by 平成24年度 文化功労者：文部科学省
Image by Eric Charbonneau
Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 Schedule and Movie Line-Up
Ghibli Fest takes place from April to December, nine months out of the year! And yes, this festival is an annual event, so you can enjoy it every year for the foreseeable future!
Attracting fans worldwide, Ghibli Fest not only features a lineup of beloved classics but also special releases or remastered editions. For example, when we saw my Neighbor Totoro in 2024, we also had the privilege of seeing a special behind-the-scenes moment of Hayao Miyazaki working in the animation studio.
It’s the little things in life, right? Your local theater will be showing your favorite Studio Ghibli movies from childhood, and they’ll include special additions (like the one above) as well as trailers for the best upcoming anime films. You can choose to watch the movies in original Japanese with English subtitles or the full English dub. The choice is yours!
If you’re eager to attend, keep an eye on announcements from GKIDS (the distributor) and your local theaters. Whether you’re watching at AMC, Violet Crown Dallas or Galaxy Theatres Grandscape, you should be able to find a screening near you. You can also sign up for email alerts from these theaters or GKIDS to get updates.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2024 Trailer
This was the lineup for 2024:
Though the 2025 schedule has yet to be released (and will probably not drop until late March), we already have a good idea of what to expect…
Studio Ghibli Films
The 2025 line-up will be 14 films from the following list:
1980’s
- Castle in the Sky (1986)
A young girl and an orphan boy search for a floating island filled with treasure, while evading pirates and the military. - Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
A heart-wrenching tale of two siblings struggling to survive in Japan during World War II. - My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Two young sisters befriend a friendly forest spirit named Totoro during their move to the countryside. - Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
A young witch sets out on her own to find her place in the world, starting a delivery service.
1990’s
- Only Yesterday (1991)
A woman reflects on her childhood while visiting the countryside, confronting her past and present. - Porco Rosso (1992)
A World War I pilot turned into a pig, now a bounty hunter, battles air pirates in the Adriatic Sea. - Ocean Waves (1993)
A love triangle among high school students unfolds against the backdrop of a small seaside town. - Pom Poko (1994)
Shape-shifting raccoon dogs struggle to defend their forest home from urban development. - Whisper of the Heart (1995)
A young girl’s dream to become a writer leads her on a journey of self-discovery and love. - Princess Mononoke (1997)
A young warrior becomes involved in the struggle between humans and nature spirits in a cursed forest. - My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
A quirky, humorous series of vignettes that follow the everyday life of a Japanese family.
2000’s
- Spirited Away (2001)
A young girl becomes trapped in a mysterious, spirit-filled bathhouse and must find a way to rescue her parents. - The Cat Returns (2002)
A girl saves a cat prince and is whisked away to the Cat Kingdom, where she’s treated like royalty. - Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
A young woman is transformed into an old woman by a witch’s curse and seeks the help of a mysterious wizard. - Tales from Earthsea (2006)
A young prince and a wizard battle dark forces threatening their world. - Ponyo (2008)
A goldfish princess transforms into a human after befriending a young boy, causing chaos in the ocean and land. - The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
A tiny, secret family of “borrowers” lives beneath the floorboards of a house and befriends a human boy. - From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
Two teens work together to save a historical building while navigating the changes of growing up. - The Wind Rises (2013)
The fictionalized story of Jiro Horikoshi, the engineer behind Japan’s WWII fighter planes, set against the backdrop of his dreams and struggles. - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
A beautiful, hand-drawn adaptation of the Japanese folk tale about a girl from the moon who is raised as a princess on Earth. - When Marnie Was There (2014)
A lonely girl befriends a mysterious and magical girl named Marnie, uncovering secrets about her past. - The Red Turtle (2016)
A man stranded on a deserted island forms a unique bond with a mysterious red turtle, exploring themes of life, love, and the passage of time.
2020’s
- The Boy and the Heron (2023)
A young boy, grieving the loss of his mother, embarks on a surreal journey filled with magical realism, guided by a mysterious heron in a story of healing and self-discovery.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 Basic Information
- What, When, Where: Studio Ghibli Fest is a year-long celebration of Studio Ghibli movies that takes place from April to December in theatres across the United States!
- Website and Current Schedule: https://gkids.com/ghiblifest/
- Language: Ghibli Fest plays both the subtitled (Japanese audio with English subtitles) and dubbed (English audio) versions.
- Prices: Movie tickets are expensive now! Expect to pay about $15 or more.
- Movies: To get an idea on the movies that could be playing, check the previous section for a full list of possible picks! We plan to update this post in March as soon as the official line-up drops.
Our Studio Ghibli Fest Experience:
Spirited Away was the first Studio Ghibli movie we ever watched, and it was enchanting. After that, it was Howl’s Moving Castle, then Ponyo. Eventually, we had watched most Hayao Miyazaki films, including his newest one: The Boy and The Heron. As you can probably guess, we are extreme Studio Ghibli fans, to the point that we paid a random Japanese man on Fiverr to buy us Studio Ghibli Museum tickets for our 72 hour stay in Tokyo (thanks Ken!).
You say Studio Ghibli or Hayao Miyazaki, and we’re all in — no questions asked. So of course, Studio Ghibli Fest is like a dream come true for us! When we found out that we could enjoy Miyazaki movies in theaters for more than half the year, we were over the moon! We recently went to see My Neighbor Totoro in dub, and it was absolutely wonderful. We can’t wait for Studio Ghibili Fest 2025!
The thing about these movies is that they tug at your heartstrings in the best way possible and make you see life a little differently. Not to get corny, but reaching the end of a Ghibli movie feels a bit like waking up from a dream. At first your mind races to reorient itself, your senses sharpen, and you begin to notice details you might have overlooked before — like the dog barking across the street or the way clouds blur into each other. In many ways, these films capture the everyday magic of life, reminding us to cherish the beauty in the ordinary. By doing so, they leave us (and so many others) feeling not just grounded, but truly happy.
Why We Chose Studio Ghibli Fest 2025
We chose to write about Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 because we love Ghibli movies. It’s really that simple. 😀 The storytelling and sheer artistry of the animation are unmatched.
Nearly all Studio Ghibli films explore profound themes like environmental consciousness, while also showcasing breathtaking landscapes, multifaceted characters and the journey through adolescence, all illustrated with a touch of whimsy that’s unmistakably Ghibli.
Although we could go on and on, it’s hard to put into words exactly why Miyazaki films are so magical. Thankfully, this video captures it perfectly!”
Summary
In short, Miyazaki is a true genius, and you absolutely have to watch all the Studio Ghibli movies because they’re simply incredible! One of the best ways to experience Studio Ghibli movies in theaters is by participating in Studio Ghibli Fest 2025. This exciting event brings a Studio Ghibli film to theaters every month for nine months straight, from April to December. Don’t miss the chance to see your favorite Ghibli films on the big screen. And if you don’t have a favorite now, you’ll definitely have one after attending Studio Ghibli Fest 2025—which, let’s be honest, you’re totally going to now that you’ve read this post. 😉
Click here to view the full Studio Ghibli 2025 schedule, then plan your movie nights! And as always, if you’re looking for things to do in Dallas and DFW, please subscribe to our newsletter where we share everything!
