The Boy and the Heron is streaming on Max in the United States. The Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli film made its exclusive U.S. streaming debut there on September 6, 2024. Netflix carries the film in many international markets, but its announcement excludes the U.S. and Japan.
For viewers in the United States, The Boy and the Heron is streaming on Max. Warner Bros. Discovery announced the film’s exclusive U.S. streaming debut for September 6, 2024, after Hayao Miyazaki’s final feature won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Oscars on March 10, 2024.
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The answer is different outside the U.S. Netflix began distributing the film in many international markets on October 7, 2024, but its announcement specifically excluded the United States and Japan. In other words, “The Boy and the Heron is on Netflix” may be correct in some countries, but it is not the correct answer for U.S. viewers.
Where to watch The Boy and the Heron in the U.S.
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Max | The U.S. subscription-streaming home identified by Warner Bros. Discovery and the service’s release listings. |
| Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home and other transactional services | Rental or digital-purchase options, subject to each retailer’s current listing and pricing. |
| 4K UHD, Blu-ray/DVD and Steelbook editions | Physical ownership options distributed in the U.S. through GKIDS and listed retail partners. |
If you only want to watch the film once or twice, Max is the straightforward subscription option. If you want to keep access after a streaming license changes, choose a digital purchase or a physical release instead. Streaming and store catalogs can change, so confirm the title’s listing and price before paying.
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Want to own it?
The The Boy and the Heron 4K UHD + Blu-ray edition is the most complete mainstream home-video choice for viewers with a 4K player. GKIDS lists the edition through Amazon and other retail destinations. The link will be updated with the appropriate retailer destination when available.
Why the Oscar win matters to its streaming availability
The Boy and the Heron won Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards. The Academy lists Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki as the winners. The Oscar increased the film’s visibility, but it did not create a new U.S. streaming service: Max had already been announced as the film’s exclusive U.S. streaming destination.
The film is Miyazaki’s first feature since The Wind Rises and follows Mahito, a boy who enters a strange world after moving to the countryside during wartime. Its availability should not be confused with the separate question of where Studio Ghibli films are generally found; streaming rights are negotiated title by title and territory by territory.
Is The Boy and the Heron on Netflix?
Not in the United States or Japan, according to Netflix’s distribution announcement. Netflix announced international distribution beginning October 7, 2024, while excluding those two markets. That means the answer depends on where you live:
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- Genre: Anime
- Number of Discs: 2
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 130
- Rating: NR
- U.S. viewers: Look to Max for subscription streaming, not Netflix.
- Viewers in many other markets: Netflix may be the relevant streaming service.
- Travelers and users of international accounts: The catalog shown can depend on the territory in which the service is being accessed. Do not assume that a title available in one country will appear in another.
Any article or search result that simply says “The Boy and the Heron is on Netflix” is missing this geographic qualification.
Can you rent or buy the film digitally?
Yes. The latest U.S. availability listing used for this article identifies rental or purchase paths through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand and related services. These are different from Max:
- Subscription streaming: You watch through an eligible Max plan while the film remains in the service’s catalog.
- Digital rental: You pay a separate fee for a limited viewing period.
- Digital purchase: You pay to add the film to a retailer’s digital library, subject to that retailer’s terms and platform availability.
Retailer names, prices, playback restrictions and formats can vary by country and can change over time. Check whether the button says “rent” or “buy” before completing the transaction; a rental is not permanent ownership.
For viewers who prefer a digital copy rather than a disc, GKIDS lists Apple TV, Prime Video and Vudu among the film’s U.S. on-demand destinations. Availability at an individual retailer should still be verified directly before purchase.
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- English dubbed, Japanese language, English subtitles
Which physical edition should you choose?
4K UHD + Blu-ray
The standard 4K UHD + Blu-ray release is the best fit for a household with a 4K Ultra HD player and compatible display. GKIDS also lists Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for its limited 4K Steelbook release, although the actual benefit depends on the player, television or projector, receiver, soundbar and room setup. No independent playback or audio testing was performed for this article.
4K UHD + Blu-ray Steelbook
The limited Steelbook includes 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs and is aimed at collectors as well as viewers who want the highest listed home-video format. It is a collectible package, so availability may be less consistent than for the standard release. Confirm the seller, condition and region before ordering.
Blu-ray + DVD Combo
The Blu-ray/DVD Combo is the more practical choice for households without a 4K player or for viewers who want a DVD fallback. GKIDS identifies this as a 124-minute, PG-13 release with English, Japanese and Spanish audio; English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles; and Region A/1 compatibility.
The listed extras include:
- Feature-length storyboards
- An interview with composer Joe Hisaishi
- An interview with producer Toshio Suzuki
- An interview with supervising animator Takeshi Honda
- A drawing featurette
- The “Spinning Globe” music video
- Teasers and trailers
Region note: Region A/1 compatibility is especially important for buyers outside North America. A U.S. disc may not play in every overseas player, and physical-media compatibility is separate from the country in which a streaming service offers the film.
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Soundtrack and other physical releases
GKIDS also lists the soundtrack on vinyl. That is a separate music release, not another way to watch the film, but it may appeal to collectors who want a physical companion to the movie.
What is the film’s runtime and rating?
The U.S. home-video listing gives The Boy and the Heron a runtime of 124 minutes and a PG-13 rating. The availability listing used in this research also identifies a 4K version on the U.S. streaming or digital market. Technical-format labels can vary by edition and retailer, so check the specific product page for the exact version being sold.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom line for U.S. viewers
The Boy and the Heron is on Max in the United States. Netflix is not the U.S. streaming home; Netflix’s arrangement covers many international markets while excluding the U.S. and Japan. Anyone who wants a rental, digital purchase or permanent physical copy can look to the listed transactional retailers and GKIDS home-video editions.
This availability summary reflects the latest U.S. listing checked for this article. Streaming rights, retailer listings and prices are not permanent, so verify the service or edition in your market before subscribing or buying.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I stream The Boy and the Heron in the U.S.?
For viewers in the United States, The Boy and the Heron is streaming on Max. Availability can change as licensing windows evolve, so confirm the current listing before subscribing.
Is The Boy and the Heron on Netflix?
Netflix announced international distribution beginning October 7, 2024, but excluded the United States and Japan. Netflix availability therefore depends on the country.
Can I rent or buy The Boy and the Heron digitally?
Yes. U.S. availability research identifies Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand and related services as rental or purchase destinations. GKIDS also lists Apple TV, Prime Video and Vudu among its on-demand destinations.
Which physical edition of The Boy and the Heron should I buy?
GKIDS lists U.S. 4K UHD + Blu-ray, 4K UHD + Blu-ray Steelbook, and Blu-ray + DVD Combo editions. The Blu-ray/DVD Combo is a practical choice if you do not have a 4K player.
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What is The Boy and the Heron’s runtime and rating?
The U.S. home-video listing identifies a 124-minute runtime and a PG-13 rating. The Blu-ray/DVD Combo is listed with English, Japanese and Spanish audio, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles, and Region A/1 compatibility.
The Bottom Line
U.S. answer: Stream The Boy and the Heron on Max. Netflix carries it in many international markets, but Netflix’s announcement excludes the United States and Japan. Digital rentals, purchases and GKIDS 4K, Blu-ray/DVD and Steelbook editions are alternatives for viewers who want to own it.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
