Elysian Film Group and Anonymous Content today announced that they are re-partnering to theatrically re-release the beloved classic film, MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, from Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, The Boy And The Heron) in cinemas across the UK and ROI this summer, starting August 2nd. The celebrated 1988 animation, with its iconic titular character, has long been a family favourite. Both OV Japanese and English dubbed versions will be part of the re-release.
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO’s cinematic return follows the highly successful release of Miyazaki’s critically acclaimed feature, THE BOY AND THE HERON last Christmas. The Boxing Day extravaganza became the biggest Studio Ghibli film ever in the UK, grossing over £5m at the UK box office and garnering BAFTA, Golden Globe and Oscar Award wins. The re-release of MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO will further serve the public appetite for all things Studio Ghibli, and with the film considered one of the top animation films of all time (ranked as No. 1 animated feature in the 2012 Sight & Sound critics’ poll), Elysian Film Group and Anonymous Content can think of no better title to celebrate this catalogue.
Nick McKay, Head Of Distribution at Elysian, commented on the upcoming summer release:
“We are incredibly excited to be bringing MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO back to cinemas by giving it the standalone reissue that it truly deserves. Getting to see Satsuki, Mei and Totoro’s adventures on the big screen will be a truly special experience for audiences, and we are positively thrilled that this Summer release will give cinemagoers this wonderful opportunity to revisit another classic from Hayao Miyazaki after our Christmas release of The Boy And The Heron. We cannot wait for audiences to bask in the beauty of another quintessential Studio Ghibli film.”
ABOUT STUDIO GHIBLI
Studio Ghibli is one of the most acclaimed and influential animation studios in the world, inspiring filmmakers and audiences alike over the last 30 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 Neighbour Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Ponyo; and have won countless international awards including an Academy Award® 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. Studio Ghibli became the first ever group-recipient of the Honorary Palme d’or of the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024.
ABOUT ELYSIAN FILM GROUP
Industry veteran Danny Perkins founded Elysian Film Group in 2018.
In early 2020, the company launched Elysian Film Group Distribution, a brand-new UK distribution arm, with backing from CAA.
The company Produced and Distributed the Take That Musical Greatest Days,directed by Coky Giedroyc and written by Tim Firth.
Elysian also recently distributed The Boy and the Heron by Hayao Miyazaki in partnership with Bleecker Street and Anonymous Content. The film has grossed over £5m at the UK box office to date and won the Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.
Perkins has over two decades of experience in the international film business, spanning all aspects of the industry including development, production, acquisition, marketing and distribution. He co-founded UK indie Optimum Releasing in 1999, which was acquired by the Vivendi-owned STUDIOCANAL in 2006. He then assumed the role of UK CEO for the company in 2010 and departed in 2018 to form Elysian Film Group.
He has worked with both aspiring and established filmmakers throughout his career including Ben Wheatley, Idris Elba, Rian Johnson, Paul King, Paddy Considine, James Marsh, Guillermo del Toro, Kathryn Bigelow, Marjane Satrapi, Shane Meadows, Lynne Ramsey and Chris Morris.
ABOUT ANONYMOUS CONTENT
Anonymous Content is a global media company that produces multi-platform premium content and boasts an exceptional client roster which includes many of the world’s most renowned and innovative directors, writers, and actors. The company’s award-winning Film & TV division encompasses many commercially successful and critically acclaimed works
