By Jon Donnis
Princess Mononoke is set to return to cinemas across the UK and Ireland in a brand-new 4K restoration from 17 October 2025. Presented by Elysian Film Group, the release offers audiences the chance to experience Hayao Miyazaki's acclaimed fantasy epic as part of the celebrations for Studio Ghibli's 40th anniversary.
The restoration has been a decade in the making, overseen by Studio Ghibli's Atsushi Okui, director of digital imaging, who has worked on nearly every major project at the studio since 1993. This careful process ensures the film is shown exactly as Miyazaki and his team intended.
Princess Mononoke remains one of Studio Ghibli's most ambitious achievements, combining hand-drawn animation with a sweeping original story from Miyazaki, produced by Toshio Suzuki and elevated by Joe Hisaishi's celebrated score. First released in 1997, the film quickly became a landmark of Japanese animation, winning global recognition for its artistry and storytelling.
Elysian Film Group has been steadily building on Ghibli's cinematic legacy in the UK, following the success of The Boy and the Heron, which became the studio's highest-grossing release in the region. Their reissues of classics such as My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away have also drawn strong audiences, showing the enduring appeal of these films on the big screen. The return of Princess Mononoke continues that tradition, offering fans both old and new the chance to witness Miyazaki's masterpiece in its best form yet.
The 4K restoration of Princess Mononoke opens exclusively in UK and Irish cinemas on 17 October 2025.
