Spirited Away to Be Re-Released in U.S. Theaters For 15th Anniversary


Acclaimed and world renowned Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter, animator, author, and manga artist Hayao Miyazaki is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in the entire world – which only made recent news that Miyazaki is re-emerging from retirement to direct another film all the more exciting. Serving as the co-founder of the lauded animation studio, Studio Ghibli, alongside Isao Takahata – who helmed the Oscar-nominated The Tale of the Princess Kaguya in 2013 – Miyazaki has proven himself to be a true maestro, when it comes to producing visionary works of animation.

Perhaps the most well-known work directed by Miyazkai is his 2001 fantasy tale Spirited Away, which subsequently served to cement itself as not just the Best Animated Feature at the Oscars of its year but among the very best films of the 21st century – courtesy of the BBC. Fans of Miyazaki’s frequently cited magnum opus are now in for a real treat, starting next month.

Per CBR, Spirited Away is getting a 15th anniversary theatrical re-release event in 400 locations in the U.S., courtesy of Fathom Events and GKIDS. The movie will be screened on Sunday, December 4 at 12pm – using the English-dubbed audio track – and Monday, December 5 at 7pm – using the English-subtitled Japanese audio track. Both screenings will be followed by the premiere of the Studio Ghibli animated short Ghiblies: Episode 2. Speaking to the company’s enthusiasm for bringing the movie back to general audiences, Fathom Events CEO, John Rubey, said:

“We are excited to bring Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away to cinemas for its 15th Anniversary. This Academy Award-winning film still resonates as a true animation masterpiece and will be a joy to experience on the big screen.”


Longtime fans of Miyazaki’s Spirited Away can no doubt exhaustively attest to the movie’s peculiar brilliance, and might just be eager to take a few friends who haven’t seen the film already to a re-release screening to introduce them to the film proper. Miyazkai is arguably among the greatest living animators, and Spirited Away is far and away frequently cited as being one of the greatest animated films of all time.

Only time will tell how many new and returning moviegoers will line up to see Spirited Away in theaters for its 15th anniversary re-release. But based purely on the undying sentiment and good will held for the film, it’s more likely than not that the Fathom Events special event screenings will manage to draw a respectable crowd in a just few weeks time.

Spirited Away will see theatrical re-release in select U.S. theaters on December 4th and 5th, 2016.