Fans who are eagerly awaiting Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and The Heron are in for a thrilling experience at the cinemas as Encore Films (PH) and Warner Bros. bring the original Japanese and English-dubbed versions to local screens nationwide.

The film has been nominated and won awards in prestigious film circles. The film continues to awe audiences around the globe, palpably evident with rave reviews from critics and non-critics alike, even breaking box-office records in every territory where it opened. 

The Boy and the Heron has bagged the Best Animated Film award from organizations such as New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Boston Society of Film Critics, and more. It’s also been nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Score by The Golden Globe Awards and Best Animated Feature by the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

Critics rave about the latest Miyazaki film, with Rolling Stone’s David Fear calling The Boy and the Heron proof that “Hayao Miyazaki is the greatest animator alive.”

Forbes’ Senior Contributor Erik Kain talks about how the movie became an instant Ghibli favorite for him, “It’s a masterful work of gorgeous animation, powerful storytelling and bizarre magic and adventure that’s instantly become one of my favorite Studio Ghibli films."

The film boasts the highest box office opening in Studio Ghibli’s history, grossing US $13.2 million during its opening weekend.

Coming soon in Philippine cinemas on Jan. 8, the movie will first have a Fan Screening Event on Jan. 6 (Saturday) at SM Megamall Cinema 2 at 7:00 pm at a premium ticket price (P1, 200) that comes with a special set of a desk calendar, collectible ticket, and a mini-poster. Be the first to catch it and check SM Cinemas’ website to buy your tickets. 

Along with the original Japanese version with English subtitles, Studio Ghibli fans are in for a treat as the English dubbed version will also be shown in select cinemas in the Philippines. 

The voice cast includes:

Luca Padovan- Mahito Maki

Robert Pattinson- The Grey Heron

Christian Bale- Shoichi Maki

Florence Pugh- Kiriko

Karen Fukuhara- Lady Himi

Willem Dafoe- Noble Pelican

Dave Bautista- The Parakeet King

Not to be outdone, the original Japanese voice cast also includes:

Soma Santoki- Mahito Maki

Masaki Suda- The Grey Heron

Ko Shibasaki- Kiriko

Aimyon- Lady Himi

Kaoru Kobayashi- Noble Pelican

Jun Kunimura- The Parakeet King

The Boy and the Heron tells the whimsical tale of Mahito Maki, who moves into a new town after the tragic death of their mother. Led on by a mysterious grey heron, he finds an abandoned tower and enters the fantastical world that awaits him inside.

The wait is almost over. The Boy and The Heron will finally land in cinemas nationwide on Jan. 8. Check your favorite and nearest cinemas for schedules and tickets.  Follow Encore Films (Ph) on Facebook, Instagram for more updates.