Studio Ghibli Fest, the annual theatrical event that brings the films of Japan's famed animation house back to U.S. cinemas, continues in 2026 with a screening of Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke. The program is presented by GKIDS, the North American distributor for the Studio Ghibli library, in partnership with Fathom Events.
Princess Mononoke, released in Japan in 1997 and in the United States in 1999, remains one of Studio Ghibli's most acclaimed works. Directed by Miyazaki, the film is set in a mythic, Muromachi-era Japan and follows Ashitaka, a young prince afflicted by a curse, who becomes entangled in a conflict between a forest's animal gods and a human settlement led by Lady Eboshi. The English-language dub features Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, and Billy Bob Thornton.
Studio Ghibli Fest has run annually since 2017, typically presenting a rotating selection of the studio's films across multiple dates. Screenings often include both the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and the English dub, giving audiences a choice. Exact 2026 dates and participating theaters for Princess Mononoke should be confirmed through Fathom Events or GKIDS' official listings.
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the theatrical re-release offers a chance to see Miyazaki's ecological epic on the big screen, an experience that remains central to the film's enduring reputation.
