Studio Ghibli Fest is marking a decade of theatrical rereleases, and according to ABC News, it continues to attract both longtime fans and a new generation of moviegoers. Films including My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo and Spirited Away have become regular big-screen events for audiences across the U.S.
One family in Austin, Texas, has turned the screenings into an annual tradition. Amanda Mendoza VanCleave said she, her 3-year-old daughter and her mother go to nearly every Ghibli rerelease, and this month they even wore matching Totoro pajamas for another viewing of My Neighbor Totoro.
ABC News reports that the festival has grown steadily since GKids and Fathom Entertainment launched it in 2017. That first year, five titles brought in about $5 million in ticket sales, while 2024 became the biggest year so far with 14 films earning $16.4 million.
The event has also expanded its reach, with screenings now playing in more than 1,100 locations this year, up from about 640 when it began, according to Fathom. Upcoming titles in this year’s lineup include Tales of Earthsea, Only Yesterday, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.
