The Boy and the Heron digital release has finally been confirmed by GKIDS on April 29, 2024. The announcement was made along with Shout! Studios and Studio Ghibli and it has been stated that the digital version of the movie will be released in June, following physical release in July. Moreover, The Boy and the Heron release date has been confirmed for India and it has been scheduled for May 2024.Â
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The Boy and the Heron digital release and physical editions to be released during June and July
The Boy and the Heron digital release project has been spearheaded by GKIDS and it will be available for purchase on demand in HD and 4K on all major digital platforms starting June 25, 2024, including Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Vudu.
Moreover, it will also be released in a physical edition following the digital release, which will be available in 4K UHD/ Blu-Ray disc combo pack, a Blu-Ray Disc/ DVD combo pack, and to top it all, a limited steel book edition with 4K UHD and Blu-Ray disc format.
Moreover, these physical formats will be released on July 9, 2024, making this film the first of its kind from Studio Ghibli to be released in the 4K UHD format. For those who wish to watch The Boy and the Heron digitally, the film would also be available for streaming on Netflix and Max globally outside of USA and Japan, but the release date for the same remains unannounced.
GKIDS physical release has surprises waiting for fans
The Boy and the Heron GKIDS physical release has various pre-order surprises waiting for fans as stated on the official GKIDS website. The first run of all versions will be exclusively laden with an 11.5″ x 14″ fold-out poster that will feature Mahito Maki. It will be the protagonist featured in an encounter with the heron as the former befriends the latter.
Moreover, bonus features regarding the release are even more exciting. Official sources cite that the Blu-Ray version will contain a music video, storyboards, and even a drawing feature with supervising animator Takeshi Honda. A set of interviews with Honda, composer Hisaishi and producer Suzuki will also be available with this pack.
The Boy and the Heron release India – Miyazaki’s Oscar-Winning blockbuster arrives soon!
Now that we have elaborated on The Boy and the Heron streaming platforms and release options globally, it must be noted that India is soon to receive this blockbuster across domestic theatres. According to popular domestic websites like BookMyShow and PVR Cinemas, the film is scheduled to release on May 10, 2024.
Warner Bros. India is the official distributor of the film across all theatres and it will be after a year since its release in Japan on July 14, 2023, that India will be graced with this masterpiece that bagged Miyazaki’s second Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards in March, 2024.
Final thoughts
The Boy and the Heron steelbook edition is supposedly the highlight of the entire release announcements. It not only opens up an opportunity for fans to experience Miyazaki on a different label, but it also brings with it some elements that have been introduced for the first time ever in any Ghibli movie. That aside, even the announcement regarding The Boy and the Heron release date in India brings with it a reason to celebrate with pomp and show!