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HBO Max and GKIDS are expanding their partnership, bringing 20 animated and live-action films to the streaming platform. The agreement includes North American streaming premieres and newly restored 4K versions of select films.

Building on HBO Max’s existing exclusive rights to Studio Ghibli films (also through GKIDS), this deal significantly broadens their Japanese animation offerings beyond Ghibli. The selection features a mix of cult classics, modern hits, and previously unavailable titles from acclaimed directors like Makoto Shinkai, Mamoru Hosoda, Hideaki Anno, Satoshi Kon, Masaaki Yuasa, Naoko Yamada, and Mamoru Oshii.

The first batch of films arrives on September 1st, featuring several titles making their North American streaming debut. Premium subscribers will also have access to select titles in 4K resolution for the first time.

Coming to HBO Max September 1st:

• • Children Who Chase Lost Voices (dir. Makoto Shinkai)

• • Fireworks (dir. Akiyuki Shinbo, Noboyuki Takeuchi)

• • Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (dir. Ayumu Watanabe) – North American Streaming Debut

• • Ghost Cat Anzu (dir. Yôko Kuno, Nobuhiro Yamashita) – North American Streaming Debut

• • Lonely Castle in the Mirror (dir. Keiichi Hara) – North American Streaming Debut

• • Love & Pop (dir. Hideaki Anno) – North American Streaming Debut

• • The Place Promised in Our Early Days (dir. Makoto Shinkai)

• • Your Name. (dir. Makoto Shinkai) – 4K Streaming Debut

A second wave of films will be released throughout 2025 and 2026, including sought-after cult films, award winners, and 4K restorations.

Coming to HBO Max in 2025 & 2026:

• • Angel’s Egg (dir. Mamoru Oshii) – North American Streaming Debut, 4K Streaming Debut

• • Liz and the Blue Bird (dir. Naoko Yamada)

• • Lu Over the Wall (dir. Masaaki Yuasa)

• • Millennium Actress (dir. Satoshi Kon)

• • Mind Game (dir. Masaaki Yuasa)

• • Perfect Blue (dir. Satoshi Kon) – 4K Streaming Debut

• • Shin Godzilla (dir. Hideaki Anno, co-director Shinji Higuchi) – 4K Streaming Debut

• • Summer Wars (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) – 4K Streaming Debut

• • The Boy and the Beast (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) – 4K Streaming Debut

• • The Colors Within (dir. Naoko Yamada) – North American Streaming Debut

• • The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) – 4K Streaming Debut

• • Wolf Children (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) – 4K Streaming Debut

Release dates for the second wave will be announced later.

Royce Battleman (Warner Bros. Discovery) stated that this partnership reaffirms HBO Max’s commitment to providing top-tier Japanese animation and original films, highlighting the streaming platform’s position as a leading destination for this content.

Dave Jesteadt (GKIDS) expressed excitement about continuing the partnership and bringing this collection of outstanding films to US streaming audiences on HBO Max.

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