Hayao Miyazaki’s Timeless Classic Shines in U.S. IMAX

This past weekend, Hayao Miyazaki’s cherished 1997 film Princess Mononoke made a remarkable return to U.S. IMAX theaters, raking in an estimated $4 million from 330 locations. This stunning 4K re-release, distributed by GKIDS, secured the sixth position on the weekly box office chart, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this animated masterpiece.

Interestingly, this re-release coincided with a surge of Studio Ghibli-inspired images circulating on social media, generated by a new feature from ChatGPT and OpenAI. This has sparked considerable backlash among fans and industry professionals who are concerned about AI replicating the unique, hand-crafted aesthetic that Studio Ghibli has perfected over decades. Notable examples include reimagined trailers for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and scenes from The Sopranos, along with the infamous distracted boyfriend meme.

Chance Huskey, VP of Distribution at GKIDS, expressed, “In an era where technology attempts to imitate humanity, we are delighted that audiences appreciate a theatrical experience that honors and celebrates Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s work in all its hand-drawn cinematic glory.”

An Ecologically Themed Masterpiece

Originally released in 1997, Princess Mononoke was both written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film shattered numerous box office records in Japan, becoming the highest-grossing film in the country. In the U.S., it was released by Miramax and ultimately grossed $194.3 million through various theatrical and home media channels. Set during the Muromachi period of Japanese history, the film follows a young Emishi prince on a quest to heal his cursed arm, becoming embroiled in a conflict between the inhabitants of Iron Town and Princess Mononoke, a girl raised by wolves fiercely defending her home and nature. With a solid 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the English-language version features the voices of Claire Danes, Billy Bob Thornton, Gillian Anderson, Minnie Driver, and Billy Crudup, complemented by a majestic score from Joe Hisaishi.

Weekend Box Office Highlights

Leading the weekend box office was the Jason Statham action film A Working Man, which grossed $5.6 million. Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White fell to the second spot, earning $4.2 million over the weekend and bringing its total to an estimated $52.6 million. Despite facing negative publicity, the film has managed to gross over $100.2 million globally.