David Farnor | On 04, Aug 2018

All 4 is joining in with Film4’s Studio Ghibli season this month, with three of the Japanese anime giant’s movies available to stream for free.

Studio Ghibli is one of the most iconic animation studios in global cinema, with directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki producing such iconic classics as My Neighbour Totoro and Princess Mononoke. Five of the studio’s films have received Oscar nominations over the years, including 2001’s Spirited Away, which saw the studio’s work break out to international audiences.

In an on-demand age, Studio Ghibli has never licensed its impressive catalogue for subscription streaming services. In the UK, its main distribution partner is StudioCanal, which has an ongoing partnership with Amazon Prime Video. To date, though, the only Isao Takahata movie released online is Grave of the Fireflies, which is available on iTunes, and the only Hayao Miyazaki title to be released online in the UK is the pre-Ghibli adventure The Castle of Cagliostro, which is currently available on Netflix UK. (You can read our full retrospective of Miyazaki’s work here.)

This week, though, free-to-air channel Film4 launches its new Studio Ghibli season, and All 4 is joining in, with a rare collection of animated movies available to stream. While Film4 is screening 24 Studio Ghibli films this month, All 4 has the rights to three: Little Norse Prince, Grave of the Fireflies, The Castle of Cagliostro. The bad news? They only have them for 48 hours following their Film4 broadcast, which means this weekend is your last chance to catch them all for free. (Note: The Castle of Cagliostro remains on Netflix UK.)

Here’s the trio currently available to stream:

Little Norse Prince

In Iron Age Scandanavia, a boy sets out to avenge the destruction of his ancestral village by the ice demon Grunwald.

Available until: 2.20am 5th August

The Castle of Cagliostro

A master thief sets out to track down a forger who’s threatening the world’s economy; he also finds himself trying to rescue a princess into the bargain.

Available until: 12.35pm 5th August

Grave of the Fireflies

Isao Takahata’s moving animation recalls, through a young boy’s eyes, the devastating effects of the USA’s firebombing of Japan towards the end of World War II.

Available until: 1.15am 6th August

 

The good news? You can still stream some audio content alongside the films after this weekend, with Film4 launching a special Studio Ghibli podcast, called Ghibliotheque. Hosted by Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham, the podcast dives into Ghibli’s biggest hits and cult gems throughout Film4’s season. The podcast is available on iTunes, acast, Stitcher, Pocketcasts and other platforms.

You can see the month’s line-up of episodes below, or keep scrolling for the rundown of Film4’s confirmed schedule.

 

Film4’s Studio Gibli Season:

Daytime screenings are dubbed in English – late-night screenings are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Sunday 29th July
Spirited Away (1pm)

Tuesday 31st July
Kiki’s Delivery Service (2.35pm)

Wednesday 1st August
Arrietty (2.40pm)

Thursday 2nd August
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (11am)
Little Norse Prince (2.20am)

Friday 3rd August

The Castle of Cagliostro (12.35pm)
Grave of the Fireflies (1.15am)

Sunday 12th August
My Neighbour Totoro (1pm)

Monday 13th August
Ponyo (2.55pm)
From Up On Poppy Hill (1.35am)

Tuesday 14th August
Porco Rosso (1.05pm)

Wednesday 15th August
Castle In The Sky (1.25am)

Thursday 16th August
When Marnie Was There (11am)

Friday 17th August
My Neighbour Totoro (2.55pm)

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