While there are currently no major feature-length projects on the horizon for Studio Ghibli, fans can still enjoy the studio’s cinematic magic this summer. The highly anticipated Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 is set to return, and for a limited time next month, The Secret World of Arrietty will receive an exclusive IMAX engagement. However, if you were holding out for an entirely new Ghibli production, the news is bittersweet: a new project is arriving, but it is incredibly exclusive.
On July 8, Studio Ghibli will premiere a brand-new short film titled Night in the Valley of Witches. This project was developed specifically for the Ghibli Park in Japan, and it will be screened exclusively at that location.
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Directed by Akihiko Yamashita in collaboration with Goro Miyazaki, Night in the Valley of Witches takes place within the enchanting Valley of Witches zone of the park. Both directors are scheduled to attend the July 8 debut, where they will host a discussion on the production of the piece. Those planning a trip to Japan this summer should visit the official park website for ticketing details.
This park-exclusive short marks the studio’s first creative endeavor since the 2023 release of The Boy and the Heron—a film many assumed would serve as Hayao Miyazaki’s swan song. Given the director’s notorious aversion to true retirement, however, fans have learned to take such finality with a grain of salt.
If a trip to Japan isn’t in the cards this year, you can always celebrate the studio’s legacy by curating a home screening of the classics. Revisiting gems like Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbor Totoro remains a peerless way to experience the enduring charm of the Ghibli collection.
Source: Polygon
