Fans who are eagerly awaiting Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and The Heron are in for a thrilling experience at the cinemas as Encore Films (PH) and Warner Bros. bring the original Japanese and English-dubbed versions to local screens nationwide.

The film has been nominated and also won in prestigious film awards circles. The film continues to awe audiences around the globe, palpably evident with rave reviews from critics and non-critics alike, even breaking box-office records in every territory where it opened.

The Boy and the Heron so far has bagged the award for Best Animated Film from organizations such as New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Boston Society of Film Critics, and more. It’s also been nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Score by The Golden Globe Awards, and Best Animated Feature by the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

Critics rave about the latest Miyazaki film, with Rolling Stone’s David Fear calling The Boy and the Heron proof that, “Hayao Miyazaki is the greatest animator alive.”

Forbes’ Senior Contributor, Erik Kain, talks about how the movie became an instant Ghibli favorite for him, “It’s a masterful work of gorgeous animation, powerful storytelling and absolutely bizarre magic and adventure that’s instantly become one of my favorite Studio Ghibli films.”

The film boasts the highest box office opening in Studio Ghibli’s history, grossing US $13.2 million during its opening weekend.

Coming soon in Philippine cinemas on January 8, the movie will first have a Fan Screening Event on January 6 (Saturday) at SM Megamall cinema 2 at 7:00pm at a premium ticket price (P1, 200) that comes with a special set of desk calendar, collectible ticket and a mini-poster. Be the first ones to catch it and check SM Cinemas’ website to buy your tickets.

Along with the original Japanese version with English subtitles, Studio Ghibli fans are in for a treat as the English dubbed version will also be shown in select cinemas in the Philippines.

The voice cast includes:

• Luca Padovan- Mahito Maki
• Robert Pattinson- The Grey Heron
• Christian Bale- Shoichi Maki
• Florence Pugh- Kiriko
• Karen Fukuhara- Lady Himi
• Willem Dafoe- Noble Pelican
• Dave Bautista- The Parakeet King

Not to be outdone, the original Japanese voice cast also includes:

• Soma Santoki- Mahito Maki
• Masaki Suda- The Grey Heron
• Ko Shibasaki- Kiriko
• Aimyon- Lady Himi
• Kaoru Kobayashi- Noble Pelican
• Jun Kunimura- The Parakeet King

The Boy and the Heron tells the whimsical tale of Mahito Maki who moves into a new town after the tragic death of their mother. Led on by a mysterious grey heron, he finds an abandoned tower and enters the fantastical world that awaited him inside.

The wait is almost over, The Boy and The Heron will finally land in cinemas on January 8 nationwide. Check your favorite and nearest cinemas for schedules and tickets. Follow Encore Films (Ph) on Facebook, Instagram for more updates.