The Boy and the Heron (Japanese with English Subtitles) | Studio Ghibli Fest 2025

After losing his mother during World War II, young Mahito moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower and enters a world shared by the living and the dead. Earning the legendary Studio Ghibli its second Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature in 2024, The Boy and the Heron saw the triumphant return of legendary writer and director Hayao Miyazaki following a 10 year absence. Its painterly vistas and surreal imagery brilliantly capture one boy’s journey through grief, capstoneing the career of one of the world’s all-time great artists.