Everyone cried watching this movie and it’s finally available on Netflix!

For several years now, Netflix has had the exclusive streaming rights to the Ghibli catalog. These Japanese films, including the nearly complete filmography of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, will delight moviegoers of all ages.

The platform will also offer the Japanese director’s latest film “The Boy and the Heron” (Oscar 2024 for the best animated film) from next year.

A film about the horrors of war

That’s why Netflix can’t boast of all of Ghibli’s works, especially since one of the studio’s most iconic feature films is missing.

Or rather, lost. After a long absence from the platform’s catalog, Tomb of the Fireflies has finally been added to the list of Ghibli films offered by the streaming service.

This 1988 film was directed by Isao Takahata, along with Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. This adaptation of the autobiographical story Grave of the Fireflies Writer Akiyuki Nosaka presents two children who are left to fend for themselves during the bombing of Japan by the American army in 1945.

This feature film contrasts the dreaminess of Hayao Miyazaki’s films with a realism-oriented tone. Also because of his uncompromising treatment of the horrors of war (although no violent images are shown), Isao Takahata succeeded in capturing in pictures what is not shown in cinema.

Studio Ghibli almost shut down because of the movie

Although the film was a critical success upon its release, Grave of the Fireflies almost caused Studio Ghibli to close. Many Japanese parents have decided not to take their children to see this movie because its content is too realistic and depressing. Only the parallel release of My Neighbor Totoro by Hayao Miyazaki allowed Ghibli to recoup its costs and avoid bankruptcy.

Despite this difficult beginning, Grave of the Fireflies very quickly achieved the status of a cinematic masterpiece and offered its director international recognition. Even today, the film remains one of Ghibli’s most iconic works – it is arguably the best-known Ghibli film outside of Miyazaki’s work – and is regularly ranked among the greatest animated films of all time.

Long unavailable on Netflix due to dark rights, Tomb of the Fireflies finally joined the streaming platform’s catalog this Monday, September 16. For those who have yet to see this gem of animation, be warned: the tissue box is a must!

Discover the list of movies currently available on the platform!