Acclaimed director Miyazaki Hayao’s award-winning film “The Boy and the Heron” is set to premiere in mainland China theaters. The Japanese animated feature is scheduled for release on April 3, 2024, with tickets already available for booking on sites like Maoyan and Taopiaopiao.
The film’s release in China will be unique as it will hit theaters on a Wednesday, catering to family audiences during the Qingming holiday period from April 4-6. Alibaba Pictures, a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, announced a strategic partnership with Studio Ghibli, the Japanese studio behind Miyazaki’s movie.
Expected to cover animation content development for the Chinese market, the partnership will also include offline ventures and ticketing through Damai, another Alibaba subsidiary. “The Boy and the Heron” has grossed $168 million globally, with a significant portion from North America.
After its Oscar win, the film will be re-released in North America and Japan before moving to the Max streaming service. The dubbed North American version will feature a star-studded voice cast including Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, and more. Additionally, Alibaba Pictures and streaming service Youku plan to invest $640 million in the Hong Kong film industry over five years.
The announcement, made at the FilMart convention in Hong Kong, highlighted Alibaba’s commitment to revitalizing the Hong Kong film scene. Despite limited media access to the event, Alibaba Pictures executives have discussed the initiative with state-controlled mainland Chinese media, shedding light on the significant investment in Hong Kong’s film industry.
