25 Years Later, Spirited Away Returns With Glorious New Theatrical Release (Exclusive)

Published by ScreenRant on Sep 01, 2026 9:00 AM

25 Years Later, Spirited Away Returns With Glorious New Theatrical Release

By Hannah Diffey

Published Sep 1, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is celebrating its 25th anniversary with another major theatrical event, but this time, audiences are getting a completely different way to experience the Studio Ghibli masterpiece. Spirited Away: Live On Stage is joining the 2026 Ghibli Fest lineup for two nationwide theatrical screenings, bringing the acclaimed Japanese stage adaptation to American cinemas.

Tickets are available now via GKIDS official website. GKIDS and Fathom Entertainment will present the filmed production on October 1 and October 8, with both screenings shown in the original Japanese language with English subtitles. The two dates feature different performances, with Kanna Hashimoto portraying Chihiro on October 1 and Mone Kamishiraishi taking the role on October 8, making each screening a distinct theatrical experience.

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Having two actresses portray Chihiro is particularly appropriate because the stage production itself embraced multiple performers for the central role. Kamishiraishi previously played Chihiro in the 2022 production, while Hashimoto also brought her own interpretation to the character. Their separate filmed performances give fans an opportunity to see how different actors approach Miyazaki’s beloved heroine.

The timing makes the event even more significant.  Spirited Away debuted in 2001 and eventually became one of Studio Ghibli’s most internationally recognized films, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The 25th-anniversary celebration therefore isn’t simply a return to an old favorite; it highlights how enduringly influential Miyazaki’s work remains.

The original animated Spirited Away will receive its own Ghibli Fest theatrical celebration from October 17 through October 21, following the stage adaptation’s October screenings. Together, the events give American audiences multiple opportunities to revisit Chihiro’s unforgettable journey, first through a lavish theatrical production and then through the animated classic that started it all.