WHISPER OF THE HEART, the heart-warming coming-of-age classic from Studio Ghibli, the globally celebrated animation house, comes to IMAX® for the very first time in UK and Ireland cinemas, newly remastered in 4K, from Wednesday 16th September 2026. The film will also be released wide in cinemas from Friday 18th September.

WHISPER OF THE HEART (1995) is a coming-of-age classic from celebrated studio veteran Director Yoshifumi Kondo based on the original manga by Aoi Hiiragi and a screenplay and storyboards by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. The new 4K remaster highlights the great thought and care put into every frame of the film, celebrating the authentic craftsmanship of Studio Ghibli’s detailed artwork. The film will show in both the original Japanese language with subtitles and English language dubbed versions.

The release follows the recent announcement that GKIDS has acquired, through Goodfellas, the UK and Ireland distribution rights to the 23 film-library of Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli, one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world. GKIDS have previously announced that KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE will be released in IMAX on Friday 21st August, and in cinemas nationwide from Friday 28th August. Like GKIDS and IMAX’s partnership in North America, fans can look forward to additional IMAX releases of new Studio Ghibli 4K Remasters in Autumn 2026 and beyond, plus the re-release of the entire library across all home video platforms.

In the UK and Ireland, GKIDS will be working in close partnership with sister-company and longtime collaborator Anime Limited, the Glasgow-based distributor, which was recently acquired by GKIDS’ parent company Toho Global.

Synopsis:
A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a girl with her head in the clouds, on a quest for her true talent. Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, an antique cat figurine who guides her to listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on a life-changing adventure that takes her beyond the boundaries of her imagination. Based on a screenplay and storyboards from Hayao Miyazaki, WHISPER OF THE HEART is a precious gem in the Studio Ghibli catalog, directed by veteran animator Yoshifumi Kondo.

About Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike for more than 40 years with beloved stories and breathtaking visuals. Under the brilliance of visionary animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki, the studio’s films are known for timeless classics such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Ponyo; and have won countless international awards including two Academy Awards® for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron, as well as five additional Oscar® nominations for Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There, and The Red Turtle. Director and studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki was separately given an Honorary Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards in 2014, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures paid tribute to his artwork with a special exhibit when the Museum opened in September 2021. The studio, in conjunction with the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park, received the Honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

About GKIDS:
GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning curator, producer, and distributor of artist-driven, globally inspired cinema dedicated to connecting North American audiences with distinctive stories from around the world. Widely celebrated for its leadership in the “animation is film” movement, the studio has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape for feature animation in the U.S. and internationally for nearly two decades. GKIDS represents the work of many of the world’s most acclaimed animation filmmakers, including Makoto Shinkai (Your Name., Weathering With You), Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress), Tomm Moore (Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers), Mamoru Hosoda (Mirai, Wolf Children), and serves as the North American home of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli.

Upcoming theatrical releases include the highly anticipated Godzilla Minus Zero, the follow up to director Takashi Yamazaki’s Academy Award-winning Godzilla Minus One; and Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, the latest Aardman feature in the beloved Oscar-nominated film series. In addition to the Oscar-nominated films Kokuho and Little Amélie and the Character of Rain, recent theatrical releases are the box office hit Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, Mamoru Oshii’s cult classic Angel’s Egg, and the critically acclaimed All You Need Is Kill, alongside groundbreaking television series such as DAN DA DAN, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, and Arcane: League of Legends. @GKIDSFilms

Press Contact & Materials
www.gkids.com/press

Fetch Publicity for GKIDS (UK):
020 3883 9708 | josh@fetch.fm | tom@fetch.fm | almar@fetch.fm

42West for GKIDS (USA):
310-477-4442 | gkids@42West.com