GKIDS
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Eric Beckman |
| Headquarters | 225 Broadway, Lower Manhattan, New York City , U.S. |
Key people | |
| Products | |
| Owner | Toho |
| Parent | Toho International (2025–present) |
| Website | gkids |
GKIDS is a U.S.-based distributor specializing in animated films and television, operating under the ownership of Toho International. Headquartered in New York City, the company focuses on bringing international animated features and series, as well as American independent animation, to audiences across North America. The acronym GKIDS stands for "Guerrilla Kids International Distribution Syndicate."
In October 2024, the Japanese entertainment corporation Toho revealed its intention to acquire GKIDS, integrating it as a subsidiary within its Los Angeles-based branch, Toho International. This transaction, finalized in 2025, broadened Toho's global footprint and enhanced GKIDS' presence within the animation sector.
History
Established in 2008 by Eric Beckman, who formerly co-founded and directed the New York International Children's Film Festival, GKIDS debuted with the English-dubbed release of the French film Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest targeting audiences in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The company rose to prominence nationally with the 2010 launch of The Secret of Kells, which received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 82nd Academy Awards. Subsequently, GKIDS achieved two additional Best Animated Feature nominations at the 84th Academy Awards with Chico and Rita (Spanish) and A Cat in Paris (French). This marked an unprecedented accomplishment for an independent distributor to have two films nominated simultaneously in this category, underscoring GKIDS' distinctive role in diversifying animated film distribution.
In September 2011, GKIDS secured North American theatrical distribution rights to the esteemed Studio Ghibli catalog, rights previously held by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, while Disney maintained control over home media distribution. GKIDS oversaw North American theatrical releases for Studio Ghibli’s recent titles including From Up on Poppy Hill (2013), The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2014), and When Marnie Was There (2015), as well as debuting Only Yesterday and Ocean Waves in North America in 2016.
On July 17, 2017, GKIDS obtained North American home media rights to most of Studio Ghibli’s library from Disney, initiating plans for re-releases beginning that October. Among these was a reissue of The Wind Rises in September 2020, which expanded GKIDS’ home entertainment offerings.
In 2020, a collaboration with TMS Entertainment enabled GKIDS to distribute Lupin III: The First, a 3D computer-animated adaptation of the renowned Lupin the Third franchise, strengthening their position within North American anime markets.
By October 2020, GKIDS acquired licensing for the seminal anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion and its associated films for Blu-ray and digital release in 2021, reinforcing their strategic role in anime content acquisition.
February 2022 marked a content partnership between GKIDS and Fox Corporation's streaming platform Tubi, broadening their digital streaming footprint.
In March 2022, GKIDS secured North American distribution rights to early works by acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai, including titles such as Voices of a Distant Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters per Second, and Children Who Chase Lost Voices, with plans for home video releases that year.
On October 15, 2024, Toho publicly announced its plan to acquire GKIDS for an undisclosed amount. The deal was completed in 2025, officially designating GKIDS as a subsidiary of Toho International, marking a pivotal development in their corporate evolution and international expansion.
Style and reception
Eric Beckman, the company's founder, has described the U.S. animation sector as being "dominated by costly productions and high distribution expenses." GKIDS quickly gained prominence through Oscar nominations for its initial three films, securing a distinct edge in the realm of independent film distribution.
Widely acknowledged as "one of the leading independent distributors in the United States" and recognized as "the premier distributor of traditional hand-drawn animation in the country," GKIDS has earned a reputation for exceptional quality. According to Film Journal International, GKIDS' releases frequently receive award nominations due to their superior craftsmanship, even though the company maintains a relatively low public profile.
GKIDS boasts eighteen feature films that have achieved flawless 100% "Fresh" scores on Rotten Tomatoes, including notable titles such as Sita Sings the Blues, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Only Yesterday, Mind Game, Grave of the Fireflies, Okko's Inn, and Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. These critically lauded works have bolstered GKIDS' standing in the industry and expanded its market influence.
Nevertheless, some releases have garnered mixed reviews; seven films—namely Mia and the Migoo (38%), Tales from Earthsea (37%), Fireworks (45%), MFKZ (39%), Earwig and the Witch (28%), The Deer King (59%), and Lonely Castle in the Mirror (50%)—were rated "Rotten" as of June 2023.
A standout example is Sita Sings the Blues, which integrates a variety of animation techniques such as Rajput painting, shadow puppetry, vector graphics, and Squigglevision. This film was selected by critic Roger Ebert for his annual Ebertfest, underscoring GKIDS' strategic acumen in curating unique animated content.
Films distributed by GKIDS
| US title | Original title | Country | US release | Rotten Tomatoes score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tahaan: A Boy With a Grenade | Tahaan | India |
|
Template:N/A | ||||
| Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest | Azur et Asmar | France |
|
81% | ||||
| Trouble at Timpetill | Les Enfants de Timpelbach | France | August 22, 2009 (New York) | Template:N/A | ||||
| Sita Sings the Blues | Sita Sings the Blues | United States |
|
100% | ||||
| Template:Sortname | Template:Sortname | France, Belgium, Ireland |
|
90% | ||||
| West of Pluto | À l'ouest de Pluton | Canada |
|
Template:N/A | ||||
| Summer Wars | Samā Wōzu | Japan |
|
79% | ||||
| Eleanor's Secret | Kérity, la maison des contes | France |
|
Template:N/A | ||||
| Mia and the Migoo | Mia et le Migou | France-Italy |
|
38% | ||||
| Template:Sortname |
Template:Sortname: Kaze no Tani no Naushika, Tenkū no Shiro Rapyuta, Tonari no Totoro, Majo no Takkyūbin, Omohide Poroporo, Kurenai no Buta, Umi ga Kikoeru, Heisei Tanuki-Gassen Ponpoko, Mimi o Sumaseba, Mononoke-hime, Hōhokekyo: Tonari no Yamada-kun, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, Neko no Ongaeshi |
Japan |
|
89%–100% range across titles |
Several Studio Ghibli movies distributed theatrically by GKIDS were previously under home video licenses held by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. On July 17, 2017, GKIDS secured home video rights to nearly all Studio Ghibli titles except for Grave of the Fireflies, whose U.S. home video rights remain with Sentai Filmworks; however, GKIDS continues to hold U.S. theatrical distribution rights. Additionally, they control both digital and physical distribution rights for The Wind Rises, which was released in September 2020.
GKIDS also organizes nationwide tours featuring selections from NYICFF. While live-action films such as Tahaan and West of Pluto were initially licensed around mid-2009 for possible releases, by late 2011 the company shifted its focus exclusively toward animated features.
Studio Ghibli Fest
Beginning in 2017, GKIDS has collaborated with Fathom Events to present the yearly Studio Ghibli Fest, which showcases special limited-time theatrical showings of chosen Studio Ghibli movies at locations such as AMC Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, and Regal Cinemas. The festival was on hiatus solely during 2020.
| My Neighbor Totoro | June 25, 26 |
| Kiki's Delivery Service | July 23, 24 |
| Castle in the Sky | August 27, 28 |
| Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind | September 24, 25 |
| Spirited Away | October 29, 30 |
| Howl's Moving Castle | November 26, 27 |
| Ponyo (10th Anniversary) | March 25, 26, 28 |
| The Cat Returns | April 22, 23, 25 |
| Porco Rosso | May 20, 21, 23 |
| Pom Poko | June 17, 18, 20 |
| Princess Mononoke | July 22, 23, 25 |
| Grave of the Fireflies (30th Anniversary) | August 12, 13, 15 |
| My Neighbor Totoro (30th Anniversary) | September 30, October 1, 3 |
| Spirited Away | October 28, 29, 30 |
| Castle in the Sky | November 18, 19, 20 |
| Howl's Moving Castle (15th Anniversary) | April 7, 8, 10 |
| Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (35th Anniversary) | May 20, 21 |
| Whisper of the Heart | July 1, 2 |
| Kiki's Delivery Service (30th Anniversary) | July 28, 29, 31 |
| My Neighbor Totoro | August 25, 26, 28 |
| The Secret World of Arrietty | September 29, 30 |
| Spirited Away | October 27, 28, 30 |
| Princess Mononoke | November 17, 18, 20 |
| The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | December 16,18 |
| Spirited Away (20th Anniversary) | October 3,4,6 |
| Howl's Moving Castle | October 24,25,28 |
| Castle in the Sky (35th Anniversary) | November14,15,18 |
| My Neighbor Totoro | December5,6,9 |
| Princess Mononoke (25th Anniversary) | April3,4,6 |
| Ponyo | May15,16,18 |
| The Cat Returns (20th Anniversary) | June26,27 |
| Kiki's Delivery Service | July31, August1,3 |
| Only Yesterday | August28,29 |
| Howl's Moving Castle | September25,26,28 |
| Spirited Away | October30-November2 |
| My Neighbor Totoro (35th Anniversary) | March25-29 |
| Spirited Away: Live on Stage | April23-27(Selected dates) |
| Ponyo (15th Anniversary) | May7-10 |
| Kiki's Delivery Service | June11-14 |
| Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind | July9-11 |
| Castle in the Sky | July10-12 |
| Princess Mononoke | August5-9 |
Television series licensed by GKIDS
| US title | Original title | Country | US release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Town Called Panic | Panique au Village | France-Belgium | December 19, 2017 |
| Ronja, The Robber's Daughter | Sanzoku no Musume Rōnya | Japan | August 20, 2019 |
| Future Boy Conan | Mirai Shōnen Konan | Japan | November 16, 2021 |
| Neon Genesis Evangelion | Shinseiki Evangerion | Japan | December 8, 2021 |
| "Deji" Meets Girl | Dēji Mītsu Gāru | Japan | June 3, 2022 |
| Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water | Fushigi no Umi no Nadia | Japan | August 2, 2022 |
| Arcane | Arcane | United States, France | September 24, 2024 |
| Dandadan | Dandadan | Japan | October 4, 2024 |
| Witch Watch | Witchi Wotchi | Japan | April 6, 2025 |
Academy Awards
! |- ! scope="row"| 2009 | The Secret of Kells | rowspan="10"| Academy Award for Best Animated Feature | | style="text-align:center;"| |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row"| 2011 | A Cat in Paris | | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| |- | Chico and Rita | |- ! scope="row"| 2013 | Ernest & Celestine | | style="text-align:center;"| |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row"| 2014 | Song of the Sea | | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| |- | The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row"| 2015 | Boy and the World | | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| |- | When Marnie Was There | |- ! scope="row"| 2016 | My Life as a Zucchini | | style="text-align:center;"| |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row"| 2017 | The Breadwinner | | style="text-align:center;"| |- | Revolting Rhymes | Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film | |} |- ! scope="row"| 2018 | Mirai | rowspan="3" scope="row"| Best Animated Feature | | |- ! scope="row"| 2020 | Wolfwalkers | Template:Nom | |- ! scope="row"| 2023 | The Boy and the Heron |
| }
Annie Award
|- ! scope="row"|2009 | The Secret of Kells | rowspan="9"|Best Animated Feature | |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row"| 2011 | A Cat in Paris | |- | Chico and Rita | |- | Wrinkles | |- ! scope="row"|2012 | The Rabbi's Cat | |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row"|2013 | Ernest & Celestine | |- | A Letter to Momo | |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row"|2014 | Song of the Sea | |- | The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row"|2015 | Boy and the World | rowspan="23"|Best Animated Feature — Independent | |- | The Prophet | |- | When Marnie Was There | |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row"|2016 | Miss Hokusai | |- | My Life as a Zucchini | |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row"|2017 | The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales... | |- | The Breadwinner | |- | Napping Princess | |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row"|2018 | MFKZ | |- | Mirai | |- | This Magnificent Cake! | |- ! rowspan="4" scope="row"|2019 | Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles | |-
| Okko's Inn | | - | Promare | | - | Weathering with You | | - ! rowspan = "3" scope = "row" | 2020 | On-Gaku: Our Sound | | - | Ride Your Wave | | - | Wolfwalkers ||
|} ! rowspan="3" scope="row"| 2021
| Belle | | - | Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko | | - | Pompo the Cinephile | |- ! scope = "row" | 2022 | Inu-Oh | |- ! rowspan = "2" scope = "row" | 2023 | Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia | |- | The Boy and the Heron || Best Animated Feature | |- ! rowspan = "3" scope = "row" | 2024 | Chicken for Linda! | rowspan = "3" | Best Animated Feature — Independent | |- | Look Back | |- | Mars Express |
External links
- Redirects from moves
- Redirects from modifications
- 2008 establishments in New York City
- American companies established in 2008
- Anime companies
- Film distributors of the United States
- Home video companies of the United States
- Mass media companies based in New York City
- Mass media companies established in 2008
- Toho
- 2025 mergers and acquisitions
- American subsidiaries of foreign companies
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment