The Boy and the Heron

The Boy and the Heron

(2023)

Original Title: 君たちはどう生きるか

Watch Now

Streaming in:

The Boy and the Heron is not available for streaming.
Let us notify you when you can watch it.

Something wrong? Let us know!

Kimitachi wa dô ikiru ka - watch online: streaming, buy or rent

We try to add new providers constantly but we couldn't find an offer for "The Boy and the Heron" online. Please come back again soon to check if there's something new.

Synopsis

A young boy grapples with grief, life, love, and death

After the young Mahito loses his mother, he embarks on a journey through a world inhabited by both the dead and the living.

Videos: Trailers, Teasers, Featurettes

Trailer Preview Image
Trailer Preview Image

What to know

Legendary storyteller Hayao Miyazaki makes his final film with Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron

The Boy and the Heron is a Japanese animated film produced by Studio Ghibli and Toshio Suzuki. The film is written and directed by the legendary Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. It is inspired by events that occurred in the life of Miyazaki himself. The Boy and the Heron is the twelfth and final film by the acclaimed filmmaker, animator, and storyteller Hayao Miyazaki. Some of his most beloved works include Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbor Totoro. Takeshi Honda joins Miyazaki as the animation director, and Joe Hisaishi composes the film’s score.

The English-language voice cast include Luca Padovan as the lead character, Soma Santoki. Robert Pattinson voices the Grey Heron, and Christian Bale voices Shiochi Maki. They are joined by Willem Dafoe, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Karen Fukuhara, Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolori, and Dan Stevens.

Production News

  • October 28, 2017
    • Hayao Miyazaki announces he will make a final film called How Do You Live?. (Source: Anime News Network
  • November 29, 2017
    • The film is described as an ‘action-adventure-fantasy’ story. (Source: Anime News Network
  • August 6, 2018
    • Rumoured reports state that the film needs three to four more years before it will be complete. (Source: Anime News Network
  • December 17, 2019
    • The film is confirmed to be 15% done, after three years of production. (Source: Anime News Network
  • March 8, 2021
    • In an interview, Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki confirms How Do You Live? is half way finished. (Source: Anime News Network
  • December 13, 2022
    • Studio Ghibli announces that How Do You Live? will finally be released in Japan on July 14, 2023. (Source: Anime News Network)
  • July 14, 2023
    • US distribution company GKids changes the title of How Do You Live? to The Boy and the Heron ahead of its North American release. (Source: Variety)
  • July 27, 2023
    • It is confirmed that The Boy and the Heron will open the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2023. (Source: Variety)
  • August 14, 2023
    • First images from The Boy and the Heron are released, showing off Studio Ghibli's well-known immersive aesthetic and tease another beautiful adventure ahead. (Source: Collider)
  • August 17, 2023
    • It is announced that The Boy and the Heron will premiere in the US at the NYFF. The festival takes place between September 29 and October 15, 2023. (Source: IndieWire)
  • August 31, 2023
    • It is announced that The Boy and the Heron will also be screened at the BFI London Film Festival taking place between October 4 and 15. (Source: Deadline)
  • September 6, 2023
    • A trailer for The Boy and the Heron is finally released, revealing some mysterious parts of the film, but giving away little of the plot. (Source: Variety)
  • October 5, 2023
    • Empire reveal The Boy and the Heron's UK release date to be on December 26, 2023. (Source: Empire Online)
  • October 17, 2023
    • Deadline reveal the English voice cast for The Boy and the Heron, which includes Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Karen Fukuhara, Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolori, and Dan Stevens. (Source: Deadline)
  • November 2, 2023
    • An official English-language trailer is released, featuring voice work from Florence Pugh portraying Kiriki, Robert Pattinson as the Grey Heron, and more. (Source: Collider)
  • December 11, 2023
    • The Boy and the Heron is nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture - Animated and Best Original Score - Motion Picture. (Source: Deadline)
  • December 26, 2023
    • The Boy and the Heron premieres in cinemas in the UK.

Rating

IMDB 7.6 (50k)

Genres

Animation, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Kids & Family, Drama

Runtime

2h 4min

Age rating

12A

Production country

Japan

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Cast

Soma Santoki
Mahito Maki (voice)
Masaki Suda
Gray Heron (voice)
Ko Shibasaki
Kiriko (voice)
Aimyon
Lady Himi (voice)
Yoshino Kimura
Natsuko (voice)
Takuya Kimura
Shoichi Maki (voice)
Keiko Takeshita
Izumi (voice)
Jun Fubuki
Utako (voice)
Sawako Agawa
Eriko (voice)
Karen Takizawa
Warawara (voice)
Shinobu Otake
Aiko (voice)
Jun Kunimura
The Parakeet King (voice)
Kaoru Kobayashi
Noble Pelican (voice)