While Netflix holds the rights to Ghibli animated films in France, there are other paid alternatives. But France TV will soon allow those without a subscription to watch Hayao Miyazaki's masterpieces. Here's an explanation.
Who broadcasts Ghibli films in France?
My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away—despite the years since their release, these animated films from Studio Ghibli still have that special, nostalgic flavor. Films that - for some - rocked our childhood, in addition to not having aged a day in 2025. Over the years, Studio Ghibli has acquired international renown, just like its master Hayao Miyazaki, whose announcement of each new project causes a media tidal wave.
Just like the Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings sagas, Ghibli films are very popular with fans, to be devoured during marathons, often during the Christmas holidays, or even in the summer or during school holidays. Netflix understood this well in 2020 by integrating (almost) the entire catalog of the Japanese studio. While Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki have traditionally been very protective of their works and their distribution, the director's temporary retirement, the decline in physical sales, and the rise of streaming have prompted the studio to submit its rights to the giant with the red N.
A monopoly on the European market that requires French people to pay, at least, 5.99 euros to enjoy the roster of Ghibli films. For those who don't have a Netflix subscription, access to excellent productions remains limited. It's then to the VOD side on the MyCanal application that you have to turn: 3 euros for rental within 48 hours, and 8 euros for purchase. In concrete terms, it's impossible to hope to watch The Boy and the Heron or another older film from the studio for free.
France TV makes this very nice offer to the French public
So when the public service announces that around twenty of the studio's films will be available for free, fans are excited. In a press release, France TV announces that around twenty Ghibli films will soon be arriving on the group's channels, as well as on the FranceTV app. Good news for those who don't have a Netflix subscription and don't want to pay a single cent.
The beauty of Ghibli can't be imitated! \ud83c\udf43
— france.tv cinéma (@francetvcinema) April 3, 2025
More than twenty films from the legendary animation studio, guaranteed AI-free, are coming soon (and for free) to our channels and @FranceTV. pic.twitter.com/oc8siqYgRy
This isn't the first time that French public broadcasting has been generous. We recall that in 2020, to brighten up the confinement of millions of French people, the group broadcast several Ghibli films on France 4 as part of a special operation. However, remember that the offer will be limited in time, because it is Netflix that holds the rights to these films in France and Europe.
Remind you of the value of Ghibli films and respect for copyright
Recently, it is the copyright of Ghibli productions that has been violated. Lately, images generated by AI, and mainly via ChatGPT, have been flooding the networks. OpenAI, owned by Chat GPT, has never signed a licensing agreement with the studio co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki, who was also very critical of the use of AI in the cartoon.
36 hours since OpenAI shocked the world with its image generator.
— Yyov \ud83e\udd16 (@DisizYyov) March 28, 2025
Here are the 7 craziest examples to date (100% AI generated):
1/ Studio Ghibli style memes pic.twitter.com/f22pxO41ni
This wonderful offering from France TV is also an opportunity to recall - and to offer a cultural and artistic response to the emergence of AI-generated images - their heritage value, as works of art, on which an entire team has worked for years.
0 Comments