Kiki’s Delivery Service is back on the big screen in the UK and Ireland, with Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli classic now playing in IMAX ahead of a wider 4K cinema release. The IMAX engagement began on Friday, August 21, 2026, while screenings across more cinemas are scheduled to begin this Friday, August 28.
For anyone still deciding whether to make the trip, this is a particularly notable release. The new presentation marks the first time Kiki’s Delivery Service has been shown on IMAX screens in the UK and Ireland, giving longtime fans a chance to revisit the 1989 animated feature on a much larger canvas.
Tickets are available for both versions of the movie: the original Japanese-language presentation with English subtitles and the English-language dub. Screening formats and language options may vary between cinemas, so it is worth checking the details carefully before booking.
A 4K return for a Studio Ghibli favourite
Newly remastered in 4K, the theatrical release is designed to showcase the hand-drawn detail that makes Kiki’s Delivery Service such a treasured part of Studio Ghibli’s catalogue. The film was written, produced and directed by Miyazaki, with music by his longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi.
Based on Eiko Kadono’s novel, the story follows Kiki, a young witch who leaves home to complete her training in a new town. Accompanied by her black cat Jiji, she begins a delivery service using her broomstick while learning how difficult — and rewarding — it can be to find independence.
That relatively gentle premise remains one of the film’s greatest strengths. Rather than focusing on a conventional battle between good and evil, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a warm coming-of-age story about work, friendship, confidence and the everyday challenges of growing up. It is also one of those rare films that can work equally well as a family outing or a nostalgic return for adult Ghibli fans.
Which English dub will cinemas show?
The English version features Kirsten Dunst as Kiki and Phil Hartman as Jiji, alongside a voice cast that includes Janeane Garofalo and Debbie Reynolds. However, this release uses a version of the dub that has been adjusted to sit closer to the original Japanese film.
Some of the additional dialogue and ad-libs associated with the earlier English-language release have been removed. That includes Jiji’s “Hello Kitty” joke and Ursula’s extra comment about knowing the person who gives Kiki and Tombo a lift while hitchhiking. The English-language songs from the first version of the dub have also been replaced by the original Japanese opening and ending themes.
For viewers who remember the older dub, those changes may be the bigger surprise. The film’s overall English voice performance remains familiar, but the revised version offers a more faithful experience for audiences who prefer the structure and tone of the Japanese original.
More Studio Ghibli films are on the way
The cinema release is part of GKIDS’ newly expanded Studio Ghibli activity in the UK and Ireland. GKIDS has acquired distribution rights to the studio’s 23-film library across theatrical, home video, television and digital platforms, working with Glasgow-based distributor Anime Limited in the region.
Arrietty and Whisper of the Heart have already been announced as additional Studio Ghibli titles planned for IMAX screens in the UK and Ireland. GKIDS has also indicated that further 4K remastered releases are expected in autumn 2026 and beyond, with the wider Ghibli catalogue set to receive renewed attention across cinema and home entertainment.
That makes Kiki’s Delivery Service more than a one-off revival. It is the opening chapter of a larger push to bring Studio Ghibli’s films back to UK and Irish audiences in premium theatrical presentations.
With the wider 4K release arriving on Friday, August 28, 2026, fans still have time to find a local screening. The English dub is also available on Netflix in its earlier form, but the IMAX and 4K cinema presentations offer the opportunity to see the film’s richly detailed animation at its most impressive. The next thing to watch for is how quickly the promised Ghibli IMAX programme expands across the region.
Sources
- gkids.com
- alltheanime.com
