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NEW YORK/LONDON (August 27, 2026) – WHISPER OF THE HEARTthe moving coming-of-age classic Studio Ghiblithe world famous animation house, comes to IMAX® for the first time in UK and Irish cinemas, recently remastered in 4K, from Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The film will also be released nationally in theaters from Friday September 18.
WHISPER OF THE HEART (1995) is a coming-of-age classic from celebrated veteran studio director Yoshifumi Kondo based on the original manga by Aoi Hiiragi and a screenplay and storyboards by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. The new 4K remaster highlights the great attention and care put into every frame of the film, celebrating the authentic craftsmanship of Studio Ghibli’s detailed artwork. The film will be screened in both the original Japanese language with subtitles and in English dubbed versions.
The release follows the recent announcement that GKIDS has acquired, through Goodfellas, the UK and Irish distribution rights to the 23-film library of Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli, one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world. GKIDS has previously announced that KIKI DELIVERY SERVICE will premiere in IMAX on Friday, August 21 and in theaters nationwide starting Friday, August 28. Much like the GKIDS and IMAX partnership in North America, fans can expect additional IMAX releases of new Studio Ghibli 4K Remasters in Fall 2026 and beyond, in addition to the re-release of the entire library on all home video platforms.
In the UK and Ireland, GKIDS will work closely with its sister company and long-time collaborator, Anime Limited, the Glasgow-based distributor, which was recently acquired by GKIDS parent company Toho Global.
Synopsis:
A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a girl with her head in the clouds, searching for her true talent. Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams and enchanted by The Baron, an ancient cat figure who guides her to listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on an adventure that will change her life and take her beyond the limits of her imagination. Based on a script and storyboards by Hayao Miyazaki, WHISPER OF THE HEART is a precious gem from the Studio Ghibli catalog, directed by veteran animator Yoshifumi Kondo.
About Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world, inspiring filmmakers and audiences for over 40 years with beloved stories and stunning visuals. Under the brilliance of visionary animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki, the studio’s films are known for timeless classics such as my neighbor totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Serviceand Cicatrization; and has won countless international awards, including two Academy Awards.® for Best Animated Film for Spirited Away and The boy and the heronas well as five additional Oscars® nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle, The wind rises, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, When Marnie was there, and The red turtle. The studio’s director and co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki, separately received an honorary award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards in 2014, and the Academy Motion Picture Museum honored his artwork with a special exhibition when the museum opened in September 2021. The studio, along with the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, and Ghibli Park, received the Honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th Film Festival from Cannes.
About GKIDS:
GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning curator, producer and distributor of globally inspired, artist-driven film 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 of feature-length animated films in the United States 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., Growing old with you), Satoshi Kon (perfect blue, Millennial Actress), Tom Moore (Song of the sea, wolf walkers), Mamoru Hosoda (look, wolf children), and is the North American home of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli.
Upcoming theatrical releases include the highly anticipated Godzilla minus zero, the sequel to director Takashi Yamazaki’s Oscar-winning film Godzilla minus one; and Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, Aardman’s latest feature in the beloved series of Oscar-nominated films. In addition to the Oscar-nominated films That’s all and Little Amélie and the character of the rain, Recent theatrical releases are a box office hit. Jujutsu Kaisen: ExecutionMamoru Oshii’s cult classic angel eggand the critically acclaimed All you need is to killalong with innovative television series such as AND GIVES AND, EVANGELION NEON GENESISand Arcane: League of Legends. @GKIDSFilms
Tickets on sale now
Source: Anime Limited