Studio Ghibli’s highly-anticipated new feature “Earwig and the Witch” will hit theaters on February 3, with a streaming option exclusively for HBO Max available on February 5, 2020.
“Earwig and the Witch” is the latest film from Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli, the Japanese-based animation studio behind films like “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke” and more. Directed by Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea) and produced by studio co- founder Toshio Suzuki, with planning from Academy Award ® -winner Hayao Miyazaki, the film centers on an orphan young girl with magical powers. When a strange couple decides to take her in for their own selfish reasons, Earwig sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians while discovering a song that may be the key to finding the family she always wanted.
“Earwig and the Witch” made its debut as an official selection for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival. The film aired on NHK in Japan December 30, 2020. Based on the children’s novel by Diana Wynne Jones (Howl’s Moving Castle), the film marks Studio Ghibli’s first CGI animated feature and first feature film production in four years.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Goro Miyazaki’s magical new film to North American audiences next month,” said GKIDS president Dave Jesteadt. “Earwig and the Witch is the first new Studio Ghibli release in four years, and is the studio’s first foray into computer animation. Working together with HBO Max, Fathom Events, and other theatrical partners will enable GKIDS to bring this wonderful film to the widest possible audience.”
Here’s the official plot synopsis for “Earwig and the Witch:”
Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.
The recently announced English language cast features the voices of Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Gosford Park), Kacey Musgraves (“Golden Hour” “Same Trailer Different Park”) and Dan Stevens (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, FX’s Legion), as well as Taylor Paige Henderson as “Earwig”. In addition to her debut voice acting role as “Earwig’s Mother,” six-time Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves sings the English language version of the film’s theme song, “Don’t Disturb Me.”
“Earwig and the Witch” hits theaters on February 3, with a streaming option exclusively for HBO Max available on February 5, 2020.
