mm2 Entertainment, a major cinema operator in Southeast Asia, has signed a five-year agreement to distribute 21 films from legendary Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli across seven countries. Some of Ghibli’s most celebrated works, including Academy Award-winner Spirited Away and fan favorites Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro, will be re-released in theaters in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Cambodia starting later this year.
The partnership allows mm2 Entertainment to bring beloved Ghibli classics back to the big screen for audiences to enjoy as the films were intended. With operations in Singapore and Malaysia, mm2 is well-positioned to distribute the films throughout Southeast Asia. This gives longtime fans a chance to revisit cherished titles and introduces new viewers to Ghibli’s magical worlds.
Studio Ghibli is known worldwide for emotionally resonant stories and artistic animated films directed by masters like Hayao Miyazaki. The studio recently received an honorary Palme d’Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, underscoring its global stature. Fans in Singapore will also soon be able to visit an exhibition on the World of Studio Ghibli at the city’s ArtScience Museum.
Ghibli’s films have found renewed success globally. In China, titles like My Neighbor Totoro performed well despite delays of up to 30 years between their Japanese and Chinese releases. The Boy and the Heron was even the animated film with the highest box office in China recently.
Chang Long Jong, CEO of mm2 Asia, said “Studio Ghibli’s films are renowned for their artistry, storytelling, and emotional resonance. This partnership allows us to bring these beloved classics to Southeast Asian audiences.” Junichi Nishioka, Vice President of International Distribution at Ghibli, noted the studio’s growing Asian fanbase and said “I am very happy that this opportunity will help bring our works to even more people, and to the children who will be born in the future.”
As the region’s film industry grows, the return of timeless Ghibli classics to Southeast Asian theaters marks an important moment for both longtime fans and new viewers alike.
