Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film from Studio Ghibli, The boy and the heronhas broken several records as it debuts at the US Box Office.
The film, which was announced several years after the legendary director’s “retirement,” is the first original anime to reach number one at the US box office.
The boy and the heron earned $12.8 million (via Variety), lands at the top of the box office this week (December 10). Prequel Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes finished second, with Godzilla Minus One taking third.
This is not the only record that the film broke. is also according to DeadlineStudio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s best US opening.
The film had a surprise release in Japan, without promotion, and set box office records during its opening weekend.
Related: Studio Ghibli’s First Trailer The boy and the heron
The anime, from the same production studio Spirited Away and Princess Mononokeis a coming-of-age tale with a great English cast.
It follows Luca Padovan as Mahito Maki, a young boy who enters a magical world with a talking heron after discovering an abandoned tower in his new town.
Co-starring Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Mark Hamill, Karen Fukuhara and Willem Dafoe.
Related: The boy and the heron is Hayao Miyazaki’s final masterpiece
The film is also set to set yet another record for Studio Ghibli – The boy and the heron will be the studio’s first IMAX release with special screenings prior to its public theatrical release.
Producer Toshio Suzuki also recently revealed that Miyazaki is already working on another film.
“He’s constantly thinking about his next project. I can’t stop him, in fact, I’ve given up,” she said. Liberation.
“We were talking again just now, and he said something incredible. He said, ‘By the way, what was my last movie?’ I can not remember”.
“And then he started talking about a new project, so I’m not stopping him. As long as he’s working, I won’t be able to retire. He’s 82, and I think he’ll continue until he’s 90. And I’m going with him.”
The boy and the heron is now in US theaters. It will arrive in UK cinemas on 26 December, with IMAX screenings on 20 December and general IMAX release from 5 January 2024.
Freelance news reporter
Charlie Duncan is a freelance news reporter for Digital Spy.
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