The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has a brand new exhibit celebrating Studio Ghibli’s sweet and magical film Ponyo. The colorful exhibit runs February 14, 2026 through January 10, 2027. I attended the press preview and was truly delighted to be immersed in the Ponyo exhibit. It is such a special experience to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Hayao Miyazaki’s creative process and the magic behind Ponyo.
If you’ve seen Ponyo, you already know how special the film is. The story is of a little goldfish princess who wants to become human after she meets a boy named Sosuke. The movie is full of giant waves, prehistoric fish, bright colors, and that beautiful, charming hand-drawn style that makes Studio Ghibli films feel so warm and alive. This exhibit lets you see how all of that beauty was made.
There are over 100 original drawings, storyboards, and paintings from the film, and many of them have never been shown in North America before. You can see the actual artwork that helped bring Ponyo and her underwater world to life. There’s even an animator’s desk from Studio Ghibali so you can get a feel for what it looked like behind the scenes. All of these materials were hand selected by Studio Ghibli and donated to the museum.
It’s not just looking at art on the walls either. The exhibit has immersive spaces inspired by the ocean in the film, and there are interactive areas where kids and adults can try out simple animation techniques themselves. Kids will love running along the wives in the exhibit or sitting inside a massive flower pot like the one Sosuke carries Ponyo around in in the beginning of the film. The museum is also hosting special screenings of Ponyo in 35mm and offering workshops where visitors can experiment with creating their own little animated scenes.
Overall, the Ponyo exhibit is fun, nostalgic, and really heartwarming. Whether you grew up loving Ponyo or you’re just discovering it, this exhibit is a sweet reminder of how beautiful hand-drawn animation can be and why Studio Ghibli stories stay with us for so long!
Advance reservations for opening weekend are going fast, but standby entry will be available on a first-come, first-served basis! Get your tickets now! And I highly recommend visiting the gift shop! The Studio Ghibli merchandise is awesome! I wanted one of everything!
Tickets to the Academy Museum are available only through advance online reservations via the Academy Museum’s website and mobile app.
General admission tickets for the museum’s exhibitions are $25 for adults, $19 for seniors (age 62+), and $15 for students. Admission for visitors ages 17 and younger and for California residents with an EBT card is free.
Film screening tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 62+), and $5 for students and children (age 17-). Matinees are $5 for all. Ticket prices for Academy Museum Members are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for students, children, and matinee-goers.
