HBO Max continues to bring subscribers premium content after doubling down on its commitment to world-class animation.
The WBD-streamer has agreed to an expanded, multiyear licensing agreement with GKIDS, making it the U.S. home for an even broader slate of acclaimed Japanese films. The deal not only maintains HBO Max’s role as the exclusive U.S. streaming home for the Studio Ghibli catalog, but it also opens the door to a rotating lineup of celebrated filmmakers and landmark titles, with many arriving in 4K for the first time to subscribers.
What’s Landing on HBO Max First
On September 1, 2025, HBO Max will roll out the first wave of titles included in the agreement. Some of the streaming debuts include works from Golden Globe-nominated international filmmaker Makoto Shinkai and others:
- Children Who Chase Lost Voices (dir. Makoto Shinkai)
- Fireworks (dir. Akiyuki Shinbo, Noboyuki Takeuchi)
- Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (dir. Ayumu Watanabe) (North American Streaming Debut)
- Ghost Cat Anzu (dir. Yôko Kuno, Nobuhiro Yamashita) (North American Streaming Debut)
- Lonely Castle in the Mirror (dir. Keiichi Hara) (North American Streaming Debut)
- Love & Pop (dir. Hideaki Anno) (North American Streaming Debut)
- The Place Promised in Our Early Days (dir. Makoto Shinkai)
- Your Name. (dir. Makoto Shinkai) (4K Streaming Debut)
“HBO Max’s continued partnership with GKIDS indicates our commitment to bringing world class Japanese animation and original films to our audiences,” said Royce Battleman, EVP, Global Content Acquisitions at Warner Bros. Discovery. “This deal, which introduces masterpieces and fan favorites to streaming for the very first time, allows us to continue delivering premium films to our subscribers and solidifies HBO Max’s position as a leading destination in the space.”
Big Names & 4K Debuts to Watch For
Beyond Shinkai’s films, the expanded deal teases major additions coming through late 2025 and into 2026. HBO Max will be the home of a 4K presentation of Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi’s Shin Godzilla, 4K streaming debuts of works by Academy Award–nominated Mamoru Hosoda, and selections from celebrated directors such as Masaaki Yuasa, Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Oshii, and Naoko Yamada.
For collectors, cinephiles, and anime newcomers alike, this is a rare chance to catch restored, high-resolution presentations of landmark films:
- Angel’s Egg (dir. Mamoru Oshii) (North American Streaming Debut, 4K Streaming Debut)
- 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) (4K Streaming Debut)
- Shin Godzilla (dir. Hideaki Anno, co-director Shinji Higuchi) (4K Streaming Debut)
- Summer Wars (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) (4K Streaming Debut)
- The Boy and the Beast (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) (4K Streaming Debut)
- The Colors Within (dir. Naoko Yamada) (North American Streaming Debut)
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) (4K Streaming Debut)
- Wolf Children (dir. Mamoru Hosoda) (4K Streaming Debut)
“We are excited to continue the relationship with HBO Max and to bring this exciting package to US streaming audiences. HBO Max’s focus on award-winning, genre-defining essential programming is a perfect match for the type of outstanding filmmaking that GKIDS champions,” said Dave Jesteadt, GKIDS’ President.
The premiere dates will announced at a later time. If you’re looking for something to stream today, here’s everything that’s new on HBO Max this week.
