Quick answer: Netflix UK is the place to watch Studio Ghibli films in the UK. Its official Ghibli collection listed 24 titles when we checked on 5 November 2026, and you do not need a VPN or an add-on to watch them. If a film is missing, you can usually rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon, Google TV or YouTube. Availability can change, so check the film’s page before you pay for anything.
Most streaming guides follow the same sad pattern: America gets the show and Britain does not. Studio Ghibli is the happy exception. The streaming rights are split by country, and here in the UK we have the better deal.
Where to watch Studio Ghibli films in the UK
| Way to watch | Where | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream (subscription) | Netflix UK | From £7.99 a month | Watching several films |
| Rent | Apple TV, Amazon, Google TV, YouTube | Varies by film | One or two films |
| Buy digitally | The same stores | Varies by film | Films you rewatch |
| Blu-ray and DVD | UK retailers, Anime Limited releases | Varies by edition | Collectors and gifts |
| Cinema | Selected re-releases and IMAX screenings | Ticket price | The big-screen experience |
Is Studio Ghibli on Netflix UK?
Yes. Netflix UK’s official Ghibli collection lists 24 titles, including Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and the newer The Boy and the Heron. If you already pay for Netflix, you probably already have most of the catalogue.
How many Studio Ghibli films are on Netflix UK?
It depends on which list you use, which is why you will see different numbers online. Here is what each figure means:
So when an older article says “around 21”, it is likely using the 2021 launch list. Netflix UK’s current collection is larger.
Which Netflix plan do you need?
Ghibli films sit inside Netflix’s normal subscription, so there is nothing extra to buy. The plan only changes the price and picture quality.
Two things to check on the film’s own page before you commit: that it plays on your plan (especially the adverts plan), and the audio and subtitle options. If you are weighing Netflix against another service, our comparison of Netflix and Prime Video in the UK covers price and catalogue side by side.
Does Netflix have every Studio Ghibli film?
Almost, but a genre page does not prove that every film is playable on every plan. Different companies also handle different films, and some related works (for example The Red Turtle) are not Ghibli-produced features. One recent UK list said Grave of the Fireflies was not streaming, but Netflix UK’s own Ghibli collection listed it on 5 November 2026. When sources disagree, trust the film’s page on Netflix.
Full list: Studio Ghibli films on Netflix UK
These are the 24 titles in Netflix UK’s Ghibli collection, checked on 5 November 2026. We use UK spelling in our text; Netflix itself writes “Neighbor”.
| No. | Film | On Netflix UK? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spirited Away | Listed |
| 2 | My Neighbour Totoro | Listed |
| 3 | Howl’s Moving Castle | Listed |
| 4 | Princess Mononoke | Listed |
| 5 | Kiki’s Delivery Service | Listed |
| 6 | Ponyo | Listed |
| 7 | The Boy and the Heron | Listed |
| 8 | The Cat Returns | Listed |
| 9 | Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind | Listed (made before the studio was founded, but counted as Ghibli) |
| 10 | Castle in the Sky | Listed |
| 11 | Whisper of the Heart | Listed |
| 12 | Arrietty | Listed |
| 13 | Grave of the Fireflies | Listed |
| 14 | From Up on Poppy Hill | Listed |
| 15 | Pom Poko | Listed |
| 16 | When Marnie Was There | Listed |
| 17 | Porco Rosso | Listed |
| 18 | Tales from Earthsea | Listed |
| 19 | The Wind Rises | Listed |
| 20 | The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | Listed |
| 21 | Only Yesterday | Listed |
| 22 | Earwig and the Witch | Listed |
| 23 | Ocean Waves | Listed |
| 24 | My Neighbours the Yamadas | Listed |
Streaming licences end and renew. If you are planning a long Ghibli marathon, our guide to how long films stay on Netflix UK explains the usual lifespan of a deal, and you can learn how to check if a title is leaving Netflix UK before you start.
Is Studio Ghibli on Disney+, Prime Video, NOW or iPlayer?
We found no confirmation that any other UK subscription or catch-up service carries the Ghibli catalogue. The UK streaming licence is held by Goodfellas and licensed to Netflix, so Netflix is the home for it.
- Disney+: not confirmed. Disney has had Ghibli links in the past, but that is not the current UK streaming deal. See our Disney+ UK guide for what it does carry.
- Prime Video: not confirmed as a subscription home. Films may appear to rent or buy, which costs extra.
- Sky and NOW: not confirmed. Sky Store sells individual films, which is different from a subscription.
- BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4: no current listing confirmed.
Where to rent or buy Studio Ghibli films in the UK
If a film is missing from Netflix, or you want to own it, look at Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google TV and YouTube. Rentals are usually a couple of pounds and start working straight away. We have not listed per-film prices because they vary by store, picture quality and promotion, so check the store before paying.
| Option | Good when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix subscription | You want to watch several films within a month or two | Titles can leave when licences end |
| Rent | You only want one or two films | Rentals expire after a set time once you press play |
| Buy digitally | You rewatch a film often | You are buying access through that store |
| Blu-ray or DVD | You want a copy that no licence can remove | Check the edition, format and which films are included |
As a simple example, a month of Netflix Standard at £13.99 beats renting five films at around £3.50 each (about £17.50), but renting wins if you only want one. If you are deciding between paying monthly and paying per film, our guide to free versus paid streaming goes through when each makes sense. Subscribed only for Ghibli? Here is how to cancel a streaming subscription in the UK afterwards.
Can you watch Studio Ghibli for free in the UK?
We could not confirm any legal free way to watch the Ghibli catalogue in the UK. Broadcaster catch-up services and official YouTube channels do not currently show a verified set of full Ghibli films. Avoid unofficial streaming sites, which are unlawful and often unsafe. For genuinely free options, see our list of free streaming services in the UK.
Studio Ghibli Blu-ray, DVD and 4K in the UK
On 2 July 2026, GKIDS took UK and Ireland rights for theatrical, home video, TV and digital release of the 23-film Ghibli library, working with Glasgow-based Anime Limited. Anime Limited was reported in October 2026 to be bringing Blu-ray, DVD, Steelbook and special editions.
Exact titles, prices, release dates and box-set contents have not been confirmed, so check Anime Limited’s own store and major UK retailers before buying. On 4K, cinema remasters have been announced, but that does not mean every film has a 4K home release. Netflix Premium supports 4K as a plan feature, yet 4K for each Ghibli film is not confirmed. If you are setting up a 4K viewing area, our 4K streaming guide for the UK explains what you need.
English dub or Japanese audio?
Either is fine. The English dubs are well made, so they suit children or casual viewing. The original Japanese audio with English subtitles suits anyone who wants the original performances. Audio options can differ from film to film, so check each title’s page on Netflix. Changing them takes seconds, and our guide to changing Netflix subtitles and audio shows how.
Which Studio Ghibli film should you start with?
The films share no story, so there is no correct order. Pick by mood:
- The famous one: Spirited Away, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
- Young children: My Neighbour Totoro is gentle and short.
- Adventure: Castle in the Sky, or the much darker Princess Mononoke.
- Something quiet: Whisper of the Heart or Only Yesterday.
- A first taster: Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Age ratings and family viewing
Ghibli films are not all for small children. Some, such as Grave of the Fireflies and Princess Mononoke, deal with war and violence, while others, such as My Neighbour Totoro, are very gentle. We have not listed ratings here because we did not verify each one. Look up each film on the BBFC website, which shows the UK age rating and a plain-English note on content. For more help on what suits your household, see our best streaming for families guide and our steps for Netflix parental controls.
Studio Ghibli in UK cinemas
GKIDS has started a run of UK and Ireland re-releases, with more 4K remasters promised from autumn 2026. Here is what has happened so far:
| Film | Screening | UK date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiki’s Delivery Service | IMAX | 21 August 2026 | Past |
| Whisper of the Heart | Cinema | Week of 14 September 2026 | Past |
| Arrietty | IMAX | 14 October 2026 | Past |
| More 4K remasters | IMAX | From autumn 2026 | Announced, dates not confirmed |
Check your local cinema’s listings for new dates, because none beyond these have been confirmed.
Why Studio Ghibli is on Netflix in the UK but not in the US
Streaming rights are sold country by country. HBO Max holds Ghibli in the United States, while Netflix holds it internationally, including the UK. In the UK, Goodfellas keeps the streaming rights and licenses them to Netflix, and GKIDS handles cinema, home video, TV and digital release. Our guide to why titles move between UK services explains the system, and it is also why the UK and US Netflix catalogues differ.
This also explains why many “how to watch Ghibli on Netflix” articles are not for you. They are written for Americans and often push VPNs. In the UK you are already in the right country, so ignore them.
How to check a Ghibli film is available on Netflix UK
- Open Netflix and search for the exact film title.
- Open the film’s own page, not just a genre row.
- Check that it plays on your plan, especially on the adverts plan.
- Check the audio and subtitle options.
- If it is not there, check Apple TV, Amazon, Google TV or YouTube to rent or buy.
If you are watching on an older television, our guide to streaming on an old TV shows how to get Netflix running. And if you wonder whether you need a TV licence for on-demand films, see TV licence and streaming in the UK.
Studio Ghibli UK streaming: common questions
Is Studio Ghibli on Netflix UK?
Yes. Netflix UK’s Ghibli collection listed 24 titles on 5 November 2026.
Is Grave of the Fireflies on Netflix UK?
It was listed in Netflix UK’s Ghibli collection on 5 November 2026, even though one recent UK list said it was not streaming. Check its page on Netflix.
Is The Boy and the Heron on Netflix UK?
Yes, it appeared in Netflix UK’s Ghibli collection on the same date.
Is Studio Ghibli on Disney+ or Prime Video in the UK?
We found no confirmation of this. Prime Video may offer individual films to rent or buy, which is not the same as being included in your subscription.
Do I need a VPN?
No. You are already in the UK, where Netflix holds the streaming rights.
Can I watch Ghibli films for free in the UK?
No legal free route has been confirmed for the catalogue.
Are Ghibli films leaving Netflix UK?
We have not verified any leaving date, but licences do end, so nothing is permanent.
Are Ghibli films available in 4K in the UK?
Netflix Premium supports 4K, but 4K for each Ghibli film is not confirmed. Cinema 4K remasters have been announced.
Where can I buy Ghibli Blu-rays in the UK?
Anime Limited is bringing out the UK releases for GKIDS. Check its store and major retailers for current editions.
The best way to watch Studio Ghibli in the UK
Open Netflix first. Almost the whole catalogue is there and many households already pay for it. Rent a film if it is missing and you want it tonight, and buy a disc if it is a favourite you will keep rewatching. Whichever you pick, check the film’s page before paying. For more on Japanese and Korean titles across British services, see our guide to K-drama and anime streaming in the UK.
Last checked: 5 November 2026. Sources: Netflix UK Ghibli collection, GKIDS UK and Ireland announcement (2 July 2026), Anime News Network and Anime for Adults.
