Studio Ghibli
2023 was a great year for movies. Oppenheimer, All of Us Strangers, Barbie, and Anatomy of a Fall are just some of the many movies that were hits with both critics and audiences alike. Part of that elite group is a movie that took many by surprise as being one of the most striking, and popular, movies of last year.
When it debuted in the United States on December 8, The Boy and the Heron was already a hit in its home country of Japan, but it also struck a chord with American audiences. It became the rare non-English language animated movie to debut at No. 1 at the box office, grossing $12.8 million in three days on its way to reaping nearly $300 million worldwide. Now, you can own one of the greatest animated movies ever, and you don’t have to break the bank thanks to the sweet deal being offered during Amazon Prime Day.
How much is The Boy and The Heron, and how can you get it?
GKIDS
The price varies on which version of The Boy and the Heron you want. If you want the straightforward Blu-ray and DVD combo set, that will cost you $26.95, which is 23% off the list price of $34.98.
The 4K version is a little bit more at $32.98, which is 18% off $39.98.
For those with a collector’s mindset, there’s the Limited Edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray edition, which features custom artwork not available on the other editions. This version usually retails for $44.98, but Amazon has it at $34.95, which is 22% off and a steal considering all that you’re getting.
Is The Boy and the Heron worth owning?
THE BOY AND THE HERON | Official Teaser Trailer
You betcha! The movie is from the legendary director Hayao Miyazaki, who’s behind such classics as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and The Wind Rises. The Boy and The Heron is just as brilliant as those movies, and its story, about a young boy who tries to make sense of his mother’s death through magic, is one that’s timeless and relatable to all ages and nationalities. The movie went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature earlier this year, beating out Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. It’s that good.
No matter which edition you choose, the movie comes with bonus features including an English-language dub featuring such talents as Robert Pattinson, Christian Bale, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Mark Hamill, and more. There’s also additional supplemental material that includes interviews with some of the creatives behind the film such as composer Joe Hisaishi, feature-length storyboards, and more.
The Boy and the Heron will make a worthy addition to any fan’s movie library. So what are you waiting for? A deal like this won’t last forever.
