Studio Ghibli Fest 2026

 

Along with classic Disney and the old Warner Brothers cartoon studio, Studio Ghibli is one of my all-time favorite animation studios. And how can it not be? Their movies are possibly the best feature length animated films ever made. Not only this but they hold their own with any great live action movie for any era. These are true cinematic masterpieces and because of this it is always an event, when I can see a Studio Ghibli film on the big screen. Well, if you are like me, I have wonderful news for you. Studio Ghibli Fest is back once again. For those of you who are unaware, this is a series of classic Ghibli films that come back to the big screen (in most of your big movie theater chains) for a few months every year.

Here is a list of what is playing this year. 

Ponyo (2008)

 Legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki based this delightful children's fairytale on Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid. There is charm from start to finish in this extremely creative film. The story follows a little fish girl named Ponyo, who becomes a human when she meets a little human boy named Sosuke. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to her, her magic causes chaos when she comes to land. A pure delight for the whole family. Rated G

English Dub

Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 PM

Sunday, June 14 at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 PM

Japanese With English Subtitles

Monday, June 15 at 7:00 PM

Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 PM

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) 

From legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki comes one of the greatest family films of all time. In this classic two young sisters move to the country to be closer to their sick mother. In the countryside, the girls meet a magical creature that they call Totoro. This film masterfully blends whimsical fantasy with slice of life storytelling. Few films capture the feeling of childhood quite like this movie. Rated G

 English Dub

Saturday, July 11 at 3:00 PM

Sunday, July 12 at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Wednesday, July 15 at 7:00 PM

Japanese With English Subtitles

Monday, July 13 at 7:00 PM

Tuesday, July 14 at 7:00 PM

Tales From Earthsea (2006)

The directorial debut for Gorō Miyazaki, this fantasy epic adapts the beloved fantasy stories by Ursula K. Le Guin. This underrated film is still exciting and a real visual treat. The movie celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Rated PG-13

English Dub

Saturday, August 8 at 3:00 PM

Japanese With English Subtitles 

Monday, August 10 at 7:00 PM

 

Only Yesterday (1991)

One of the studio's most heartfelt and poignant films. Directed and written by Isao Takahata. In this film a 27-year-old woman travels the countryside while reminiscing about her childhood in Tokyo. This movie takes a nuanced and deeply moving look at the power of nostalgia. This is a movie that will stay with you and cause you to look at life in a different way. Rated PG

 English Dub

Sunday, August 9 at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Japanese With English Subtitles

Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00 PM     

Castle in the Sky (1986)

Back in theaters for its 40th anniversary is one of Hayao Miyazaki's first masterpieces. This is one of the best action/adventure films ever made. In this movie, two kids go on an amazing adventure to the floating city of Lupita. Filled with larger-than-life settings and characters, great humor, exciting action scenes and a great use of fantasy, this is a pure treat. Rated PG

English Dub

Saturday, August 22 at 3:00 PM

Sunday, August 23 at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Wednesday, August 26 at 7:00 PM

Japanese With English Subtitles 

Monday, August 24 at 7:00 PM

Tuesday, August 25 at 7:00 PM

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Back in theaters in a wonderful 4K restoration is one of Hayao Miyazaki's most complex films. With complex characters and thought-provoking themes, including man's relationship with nature, this is a powerful cinematic masterpiece that improves with each viewing. A must watch. Rated PG-13

 English Dub

Saturday, September 26 at 3:00 PM

Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00 PM

Japanese With English Subtitles

Monday, September 28 at 7:00 PM

Tuesday, September 29 at 7:00 PM

Spirited Away (2001)

One of the best movies of the 21st century and one of the greatest animated feature films ever made, don't miss your chance to see this masterpiece on the big screen. Taking you into a larger-than-life fantasy world, while also being a moving coming of age story, this is a real 21st century classic. Rated PG

English Dub

Saturday, October 17 at 3:00 PM

Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 PM

Japanese With English Subtitles

Monday, October 19 at 7:00 PM

Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 PM

If you wish to buy tickets, you can buy them here.

Two Beloved Family Movies Return to Theaters

 

On March 13th, two beloved family movies (both in their 30's) will return to movie theaters. Making this even greater news is that both have been restored in 4K and will look better than they ever had before. I have March 13th off of work and am thinking that I might spend that day at the movies doing a double feature. 

 

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) Hayao Miyazaki is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and his movies continue to amaze and charm audiences, even those who don't normally watch anime. When one of his most charming movies finds its way back in theaters, it is reason to celebrate. When that movie is being presented in 4K and IMAX, it is a wonderful event. This film is the story of a 13-year-old witch, who for the first time leaves home with her parents and starts off (with her cat Jiji) to create a life for herself in a new town. Beneath its fantasy elements, this is a slice of life coming of age story that is instantly relatable and moving. Don't miss this. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) The turtles are back and so is their archenemy Shredder, who is assisted by the new villains Tokka and Rahzar. After last year's box-office success of the re-release of the turtles' first big screen adventure, it is only natural that its sequel would also get a rerelease. This is pure early 90's style fun. It may be corny at times but that is part of its charm and is one of the reasons so many of us love this movie. Only in theaters March 13-19, this is a most bodacious watch for us turtle fans. 

   

Movie Review: Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

Review: An incredibly powerful and human documentary about a great artist.


Hayao Miyazaki is in my mind and the minds of many of my film buff friends, one of the greatest (if not the greatest) living filmmakers. He is truly an incredible artist and his art has touched so many (myself included). What we often forget about great artists is that behind all their great work lies a human being. A human being gets old, is afraid of being old, struggles with self doubt and doesn't always have an easy time with something new. This is what makes this movie so incredible, it is not just a document of the making of a film, but a beautiful portrait of human struggles and how we overcome them. Miyazaki worries that he is getting too old for this job, and worries that he can't be the great artist he was in his younger days. He fears if he goes back into filmmaking, he may make something he would be ashamed of. However there is still a passion for filmmaking in him and this cannot be denied. It keeps pushing him to do something new. When he goes back to filmmaking he struggles with doubt about whether this is a good idea or not. Still we have seen in early scenes he was miserable and bored being retired. When he works again despite all his doubt, his passion comes back.

Adding to make more drama, Miyazaki is making his first CGI film here and is doing it with young animators in their 20's and 30's. CGI does not come easily. He struggles to understand this new medium. He is unhappy with early animation and wonders if he is making a mistake or if he is too old to learn something new. On the other hand when things are going well, the great filmmaker's happiness becomes hard for him to contain. Miyazaki's relationship with the younger crew is fascinating. On one hand working with such youthful animators revitalizes him, but on the other hand he becomes unsure about the way these new filmmakers work. In this case the young is learning from the old, while at the old is learning from the young and this is not always easy for either party, but offers great rewards for both.

This is an incredible and human look at one of the world's greatest living filmmakers. It offers us a look at the filmmaking process, that lets us not only see how a film is technically made, but the emotional and human part of the process as well. This is a must see for all film lovers.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

Movie Review: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland










Note: I am writing a review of this movie because thanks to Fathom Event's Ghibli fest. If you want to see one of these films on the big screen, look it up on your computer, it is well worth it.

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

Review: Hayao Miyazaki's film adaption of his own manga series is an incredible movie that works on all levels.

One of the most incredible things about this movie is its wealth of atmosphere. The whole world this movie takes place in is so intricately and perfectly set up that it feels completely real. Doing this the movie achieves what ever fantasy film wants to, in that it creates its own perfectly believable reality. The sense of atmosphere becomes completely different during a flashback sequence. During this sequence the animation becomes more abstract and sketchy. However this new kind of animation works perfectly as it brings you into the mind of the character and see the world as a little child would. This scene is not just an experiment in style but rather a way to bring you further into the movie. Speaking of this scene Joe Hisaishi's musical score during this part is absolutely beautiful and I find myself humming it while writing this review. In fact the sound is very important to this movie. The film knows when to awe you with great music and sound effects and when to be silent and let the film speak for itself. Adding to all this is an extremely likable main character. Though she is a role model, she never comes off as too perfect, but always keeps a sense of relatability. She makes mistakes and lets her emotions get the better of her at the wrong time, but her intelligence and bravery win out to make her a very strong character. The story is simple in a way, but also complex on a deeper level. One wonders if any of the villains are really that evil, or if they all simply want what they feel is best and go about it in a way that never seems right. Similarly the environmental message is much more though provoking than how most films would handle the subject as it brings in ideas of the Earth going through a cycle, and how sometimes the way nature works is not so black and white.


This is an incredible movie and seeing it on the big screen with an audience makes it all the better.

-Michael J. Ruhland