3 of the Best Anime Movies Ever Are Returning to Theaters in 4K

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The acclaimed director behind beloved anime films like “Belle” (2021) and “The Boy and the Beast” (2015), is a highly esteemed figure in the modern era of anime filmmaking. Exciting news for Western fans as GKIDS plans to re-release three of Hosoda’s most iconic masterpieces, offering another opportunity to experience them on the cinema screen.

According to the information posted on GKIDS’ official account (previously known as Twitter), three of Mamoru Hosoda’s popular anime movies – “Wolf Children” (2012), “Summer Wars” (2009) and “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” (2006) – will be back in North American cinemas for a limited time. The screenings are part of a wider celebration honoring Mamoru Hosoda, who is one of only two anime directors, along with Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, to receive an Oscar nomination. Below you’ll find the dates for each movie’s three-day screening.

Legendary Anime Films by Mamoru Hosoda Get New U.S. Theater Release Dates in 2025

  • The Girl Who Leapt Through Time — Sept. 28-30
  • Summer Wars — July 27-29
  • Wolf Children — May 11-13

In this story, we follow the life of a typical teenage girl named Makoto, who often spends her days in idle fun with friends. One fateful day, she nearly gets run over by a train while hurrying to meet her aunt. At the brink of disaster, she unexpectedly leaps back in time, right before the accident. With this newfound power to redo any small inconvenience, such as poor grades or embarrassing love confessions, Makoto takes full advantage. However, when she encounters the harsh realities of meddling with time itself, Makoto must exert every effort to prevent a catastrophic future that cannot be undone.

Unlike “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” which was based on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s novel, “Summer Wars” was born from an original idea by Hosoda. Similar to its predecessor, the story centers around Kenji Koiso, a high school student and part-time moderator for a virtual universe named “OZ.” One day, his crush Natsuki Shinohara enlists him as a stand-in boyfriend to meet her family. Meanwhile, a cunning AI program takes control of Kenji’s online identity, causing real-world disasters that he is falsely accused of. Using his sharp detective skills in the digital realm, Kenji embarks on a mission to find the perpetrators and bring order back to both his virtual and physical worlds.

Approximately three years following the release of “Summer Wars,” Hosoda’s second original film, titled “Wolf Children,” unfolds. The narrative opens with Hana, a university student, who develops an enchanting relationship with a secretly half-wolf man. Tragically, he meets his end in an accident, leaving Hana to singlehandedly raise their two children, Ame and Yuki, who possess the ability to transform between human and wolf forms. Struggling to navigate city life, Hana decides to move to a rural area to provide her children with ample space for play as wolves. As Yuki and Ame grow older, they face difficulties adjusting to society. Yuki yearns to blend in with her peers at school, while Ame finds comfort in the wilderness. With her mother’s support, both siblings eventually discover their unique paths towards contentment.

4K remastered versions of Hosoda’s films are now available for those unable to attend theaters through UHD Blu-ray releases by GKIDS. The first release was “Summer Wars” on April 1, 2025, with “Wolf Children” following suit, set for release starting August 1, 2025.

Sources: , GKIDS’ Official Site (Pages + )

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2025-04-19 22:08