GKIDS

Overview

GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning producer and distributor of artist-driven animated feature films from around the world. Founded in 2008 by Eric Beckman and David Jesteadt, the company has amassed 13 Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations and 1 win, more than any distributor outside the major Hollywood studios. GKIDS releases 8 to 12 animated features per year theatrically and maintains a robust home entertainment operation with premium Blu-ray and 4K UHD releases.

In 2024, GKIDS was acquired by Toho International, the US-based arm of Japanese studio Toho, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary. Beckman remained as CEO and Jesteadt as President. The acquisition gave GKIDS access to Toho's resources while maintaining operational independence.

In July 2026, GKIDS expanded beyond North America for the first time, acquiring UK and Ireland distribution rights to the 23-film Studio Ghibli library. The deal covers theatrical, home video, TV, and digital rights, with streaming rights retained by Goodfellas (licensed to Netflix). The first UK release under the new agreement is the IMAX release of Kiki's Delivery Service on August 21, 2026.

History

Eric Beckman and David Jesteadt founded GKIDS in 2008 with a focus on high-quality animated films for family audiences that offered an alternative to the dominant computer-animated Hollywood model. The company's first release was The Secret of Kells (2009), an Irish hand-drawn animated film from Cartoon Saloon, which earned GKIDS its first Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

GKIDS's profile rose significantly when it acquired the North American distribution rights to the Studio Ghibli catalog from Disney in 2017. This deal brought the complete Ghibli library, including My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and all other Ghibli features, under GKIDS management for theatrical re-releases, home video, and special editions.

The company won its first Academy Award in 2024 with Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron, which took home Best Animated Feature. Previous nominations include A Cat in Paris and Chico & Rita (2012), Ernest & Celestine (2014), The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and Song of the Sea (2015), Boy and the World and When Marnie Was There (2016), My Life as a Zucchini (2017), The Breadwinner (2018), Mirai (2019), and Wolfwalkers (2021).

Studio Ghibli Partnership

GKIDS is the long-time North American home of Studio Ghibli, handling distribution across theatrical, home video, digital, and streaming platforms. The partnership has expanded significantly in 2026:

Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 - GKIDS and Fathom Entertainment return to US cinemas nationwide with a 7-film lineup celebrating multiple anniversaries:

• Ponyo (June 13-17)
• My Neighbor Totoro (July 11-15)
• Tales from Earthsea 20th Anniversary (August 8-10)
• Only Yesterday 35th Anniversary (August 9-11)
• Castle in the Sky 40th Anniversary (August 22-26)
• Princess Mononoke 4K Remastered (September 26-30)
• Spirited Away 25th Anniversary (October 17-21)

Each film screens in both original Japanese with English subtitles and English dubbed versions.

4K IMAX Restorations - GKIDS partnered with IMAX to bring 4K restorations of Studio Ghibli films to North American IMAX theaters. Princess Mononoke 4K screening earned $3.88 million in its opening weekend in March 2025, ranking 6th at the box office. Whisper of the Heart screened on April 21, 2026, and The Secret World of Arrietty on May 19, 2026. Studio Ghibli animator Atsushi Okui oversaw the creation of the IMAX versions from new 4K restorations.

UK and Ireland Expansion - In July 2026, GKIDS acquired UK and Ireland distribution rights to the 23-film Ghibli library. The deal was negotiated by Beckman at GKIDS and Vincent Maraval at Goodfellas. GKIDS works in partnership with sister company Anime Limited, the Glasgow-based distributor also acquired by Toho Global. The previous UK distributor, Elysian Film Group Distribution, went into liquidation in June 2026.

Catalog and Filmmakers

Beyond Studio Ghibli, GKIDS represents work from many of the world's most acclaimed animation filmmakers:

• Makoto Shinkai - Your Name., Weathering With You
• Satoshi Kon - Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress
• Tomm Moore (Cartoon Saloon) - Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers
• Mamoru Hosoda (Studio Chizu) - Mirai, Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast
• Studio Ponoc - Mary and the Witch's Flower

Notable releases include The Red Turtle (2016), I Lost My Body (2019), Inu-Oh (2022), and The Boy and the Heron (2023).

Home Entertainment

GKIDS produces premium physical media releases of its catalog titles, including newly commissioned bonus materials, illustrated packaging, and high-quality transfers. The company's Blu-ray and 4K UHD releases of Studio Ghibli films are recognized for their presentation quality and collector-focused packaging.

The company also operates an online store at store.gkids.com offering collector's editions, steelbooks, and exclusive merchandise.

What Filmmakers Should Know

GKIDS acquires animated features from international festivals and through sales agent relationships, with a focus on films that prioritize artistry, distinctive visual styles, and storytelling depth. The company is particularly active at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, which is the primary market for animated feature acquisitions.

For animation filmmakers and studios outside the Hollywood system, GKIDS is the most significant US distribution partner for non-mainstream animated content. The company's expertise in marketing animation to both family and adult audiences gives it capabilities that general independent distributors lack.

Under Toho ownership, GKIDS has expanded its reach. The UK and Ireland Ghibli deal demonstrates the company's ambition to become a global animation distributor, not just a North American one. Filmmakers with international animation projects now have a potential pathway to both North American and UK/Ireland distribution through a single partner.

GKIDS does not accept unsolicited submissions. Acquisitions are handled through sales agents at festivals and markets, particularly Annecy, TIFF, Berlin, and Cannes. The company's acquisition team evaluates projects based on artistic quality, festival reception, and audience potential within the animation market.

House Style & Genre Focus

GKIDS is a US distributor specializing in award-winning international animation, particularly hand-drawn and stop-motion works. The company curates and distributes artistically ambitious animation from around the world, with a focus on Studio Ghibli (North American theatrical and home video rights), European animation, and independent animated features. GKIDS has scored 13 Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations and won the category for The Boy and the Heron (2023).

GKIDS was acquired by Japan's Toho Co. in October 2024, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. The company handles North American theatrical, home video, and television rights for the Ghibli catalog, including 4K remasters of classic titles. The Boy and the Heron grossed over $46 million in North America through GKIDS, making it GKIDS' highest-grossing release in its 16-year history. GKIDS also distributes films from Cartoon Saloon, Mamoru Hosoda, and other international animation directors.

As a distributor, GKIDS acquires films at festivals and through relationships with international studios. They do not accept unsolicited submissions but work with established animation producers worldwide. Filmmakers or distributors seeking to license content for festivals, screenings, or educational use should contact GKIDS directly. For territories outside North America and Japan, licensing inquiries go through StudioCanal or local territory distributors.

Watch: Trailers & Behind the Scenes

See Also

For understanding how animation distribution works in the US market, see Distribution Deals Explained. For technical animation context, use the Frame Rate Calculator. To model revenue projections for a theatrical animation release, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator.