GKIDS has announced that two of Studio Ghibli‘s acclaimed animated movies will be returning to theaters in their newly remastered 4K versions. For the first time, 1995’s Whisper of the Heart and 2010’s The Secret World of Arrietty will officially debut in IMAX theatres in the US and Canada.
When are the theatrical release dates for the 4K remastered versions of Whisper of the Heart & The Secret World of Arrietty?
GKIDs will be releasing the 4K remastered version of Whisper of the Heart on April 21, 2026, exclusively on IMAX theatres. It will then be followed by the IMAX debut of THE 4K remastered version of The Secret World of Arrietty on May 19. Tickets are now on sale for both beloved classics, with showings in both the original Japanese language with subtitles and English language dubbed versions.
Whisper of the Heart was directed by Yoshifumi Kondo, with Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki writing the screenplay and creating the storyboards. It was based on the original manga by Aoi Hiiragi. The English dubbed version featured the voices of Brittany Snow, David Gallagher, Jean Smart, Cary Elwes, Ashley Tishdale, and more. More than three decades after its debut, the film has still maintained its high approval rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a girl with her head in the clouds, on a quest for her true talent,” reads the synopsis. “Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, an antique cat figurine who guides her to listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on a life-changing adventure that takes her beyond the boundaries of her imagination.”
The Secret World of Arrietty was directed by Academy Award nominee Hiromasa Yonebayashi. The screenplay was written by Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa. It was an adaptation of Mary Norton’s popular children’s novel The Borrowers. The U.S. dubbed version featured the voices of Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie, Will Arnett, Carol Burnett, and Amy Poehler. It currently holds a Certified Fresh score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“In a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, tiny people called Borrowers live out of sight of humans. But when brave Arrietty is out gathering supplies, she is discovered by Shawn, a human boy, and they begin to form a friendship that blossoms into a heartwarming adventure,” reads the synopsis.
