How to watch Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio renowned around the world for its movies. Spearheaded by Hayao Miyazaki, it created such instant classics as Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, and more. The studio currently has 22 movies in total, with various smaller scale projects on the side.
The magic of Studio Ghibli movies lies in the fact that whether you’re young or old, they resonate with you on some level. And if you’ve liked at least one animated film created by this studio, you’ll very likely enjoy the rest of them. However, getting your hands on them is tricky, as the movies aren’t available on every streaming platform in every country unanimously.
Starting from February 1, 2020, the Ghibli movie collection became available on Netflix. But it’s only accessible in the UK, Canadian, and German Netflix libraries. If you don’t live in the correct country, your only option to stream these animated films is with a reliable VPN.
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Watch Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix in US
Netflix has a lot of Studio Ghibli movies on its roster. You can tune into Kiki’s Delivery Service, Grave of the Fireflies, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, and many more on the UK, Canadian, and German Netflix. Just not on the US version – due to the geo-blocks imposed by this streaming platform.
Those wanting to view these animated films can only do it with the help of a VPN. Reputable streaming VPNs let you change your IP address to that of another country, instantly unblocking access to regional websites, services, and platforms.
However, you need a tried and tested Netflix VPN to access the restricted libraries without a hitch. Furthermore, they facilitate the best speeds, ensuring a lag and buffer-free video experience.
How to watch Studio Ghibli films on Netflix in US
- Subscribe to a tried and tested Netflix VPN. We’ve confirmed that NordVPN works really great for this
- Download the VPN client and install it on the device of your choice
- Clear your Netflix cache
- Connect to the UK, Canada, or Germany, as the movies are available in these Netflix libraries
- Log into your Netflix account and look up the Ghibli movie you’re interested in!
Best VPN for watching Studio Ghibli films on Netflix
With time, Netflix got more adept at catching subscribers using VPNs to circumvent the restrictions or share passwords, and the methods are ever-evolving. So, the key here is getting your hands on a VPN that can evade detection. This way, you won’t run into Netflix VPN blocks or get hit with the dreaded M7111-5059 error.
Another crucial aspect is having an extensive server fleet with as many countries as possible. And in this case, with connection points in regions that have Studio Ghibli movies, like Canada, the UK, and Germany. Of course, superb speeds and great customer support are essential as well if you want a seamless streaming experience.
Currently, our top streaming VPNs that meet the criteria to a T are:
- NordVPN. The unbeatable VPN for Netflix, capable of bypassing the strictest region blocks. It facilitates the best speeds in the industry, has servers in 60+ countries, and offers SmartPlay for devices that don’t support VPN software. And the coveted Meshnet feature even lets you avoid Netflix’s password sharing restrictions.
- Surfshark VPN. This Netflix VPN boasts the largest country selection (100+) and unlimited simultaneous connections. Then there’s great performance, ensuring no-lag streams, and Smart DNS for unsupported devices and streaming peripherals.
Netflix libraries that have Studio Ghibli movies
It’s officially confirmed Studio Ghibli movies are in libraries of these countries:
- Europe. Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
- Americas. Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico.
- Asia. Hong Kong, India, Israel, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand.
- Africa. South Africa.
If the country you’re currently living in or are visiting isn’t on the list, you’ll need a VPN to watch Studio Ghibli movies.
When will Studio Ghibli be available for US viewers
For those living in the US, your other option for watching Ghibli animated films is MAX (formerly HBO Max). However, it requires a separate subscription to this streaming platform. And it makes little sense if you already have a Netflix one – as we covered before, the movies are available on it, just in different libraries. Getting a VPN is a far cheaper option.
Full list of Studio Ghibli movies available on Netflix
The Studio Ghibli movies available on Netflix are as follow:
- Castle in the Sky (1986),
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
- Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989),
- Only Yesterday (1991),
- Porco Rosso (1992),
- Ocean Waves (1993),
- Tales from Earthsea (2006)
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984),
- Princess Mononoke (1997),
- My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999),
- Spirited Away (2001),
- The Cat Returns (2002),
- Arrietty (2010),
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
- Pom Poko (1994),
- Whisper of the Heart (1995),
- Howl’s Moving Castle (2004),
- Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008),
- From Up on Poppy Hill (2011),
- The Wind Rises (2013),
- When Marnie Was There (2014)
What’s the deal with geo-blocking and Studio Ghibli movies?
Geo-blocking is a method used to control the availability of online content in different countries. Usually, this is done due to licensing rights conflicts – a platform like Netflix may have bought the license to distribute Studio Ghibli films in the UK, but not the US, for example. This also makes it impossible, for example, for Europeans to access Hulu.
Since MAX has secured the exclusive rights to distribute Studio Ghibli movies in the US, users who only have a Netflix subscription might be wondering if getting MAX is worth it. VPNs are a consumer-friendly solution that helps to avoid paying for separate streaming subscriptions, especially when the content is freely available in content libraries in other countries.
You may also like to read:
How to watch Japanese TV from anywhere
How to watch Korean Netflix
How to watch Naruto Shippuden
How to watch Lord of the Rings
How to watch The Office
How to watch the Harry Potter movies
FAQ
Is Studio Ghibli on Crunchyroll?
No, Studio Ghibli movies aren’t on Crunchyroll. While the streaming platform has many anime TV shows and movies, only MAX has the exclusive rights to show Ghibli animated films in the US.
Are there Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix?
Yes, almost every Studio Ghibli movie is available on Netflix. However, you can only watch them in regional libraries, like Canada, the UK, Germany, and a few others. If you live in the US, these films can only be accessed with a VPN.
Why isn’t Studio Ghibli on Netflix US?
Studio Ghibli isn’t on Netflix US because MAX has the rights to show the movies. So, if you have a MAX subscription, you can watch all the movies on this streaming platform. If not, changing your location to a country where Ghibli films are available will do the trick.