HBO Max is significantly bolstering its collection of Japanese cinema, including acclaimed anime and live-action titles, through an expanded partnership with distributor GKIDS. The streaming service is set to add 20 new films to its library, with the first wave, featuring Makoto Shinkai’s blockbuster your name., launching on September 1, 2025. This move solidifies HBO Max’s position as a key destination for high-quality Japanese animation and film.
A Wave of Acclaimed Titles Arriving in September 2025
The initial batch of films making their debut on HBO Max on September 1, 2025, includes a mix of beloved and critically praised works. Notably, Makoto Shinkai’s your name. will be available for the first time in 4K streaming.
Other prominent titles joining the service on September 1st are:
- Children Who Chase Lost Voices (dir. Makoto Shinkai)
- Fireworks (dir. Akiyuki Shinbo and Noboyuki Takeuchi)
- Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (dir. Ayumu Watanabe) – marking its North American streaming debut.
- Ghost Cat Anzu (dir. Yôko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita) – also a North American streaming debut.
- Lonely Castle in the Mirror (dir. Keiichi Hara) – making its North American streaming debut.
- Love & Pop (dir. Hideaki Anno) – a North American streaming debut for Anno’s early live-action feature.
- The Place Promised in Our Early Days (dir. Makoto Shinkai)
This initial release highlights a diverse selection from some of Japan’s most celebrated filmmakers.
Further Releases Through 2025 and 2026
Beyond the September 1st rollout, HBO Max will continue to add more highly anticipated Japanese films throughout the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. This second wave includes cult classics, major award winners, and titles receiving new 4K restorations or North American streaming debuts.
Key films expected later in 2025 and 2026 include:
- Angel’s Egg (dir. Mamoru Oshii) – making its North American streaming debut and 4K streaming debut. This 1985 art film has been legally available to stream in the U.S. for the first time.
- Liz and the Blue Bird (dir. Naoko Yamada)
- Lu Over the Wall (dir. Masaaki Yuasa)
- Millennium Actress (dir. Satoshi Kon)
- Mind Game (dir. Masaaki Yuasa)
- Perfect Blue (dir. Satoshi Kon) – receiving a 4K streaming debut.
- Shin Godzilla (dir. Hideaki Anno, co-director Shinji Higuchi) – making its 4K streaming debut.
- Summer Wars (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) – with a 4K streaming debut.
- The Boy and the Beast (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) – with a 4K streaming debut.
- The Colors Within (dir. Naoko Yamada) – a North American streaming debut.
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) – with a 4K streaming debut.
- Wolf Children (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) – with a 4K streaming debut.
Strengthening the Partnership with GKIDS
This expanded licensing deal builds upon the existing relationship between HBO Max and GKIDS, which has already made the entire Studio Ghibli film library exclusively available on the platform in the United States. The new agreement adds 20 titles to the streamer’s offering, further cementing its commitment to bringing “world-class Japanese animation and original films” to its audience.
Royce Battleman, EVP, Global Content Acquisitions at Warner Bros. Discovery, stated that this deal “introduces masterpieces and fan favorites to streaming for the very first time,” reinforcing HBO Max’s position as a “leading destination in the space.” Dave Jesteadt, President of GKIDS, expressed excitement about continuing the relationship, noting that HBO Max’s “focus on award-winning, genre-defining essential programming is a perfect match for the type of outstanding filmmaking that GKIDS champions.” This strategic acquisition allows HBO Max to significantly broaden its reach into Japanese animation and live-action films beyond the Studio Ghibli collection.
