HBO Max Acquires Studio Ghibli Films & Picks Up Lewinsky Doc

HBO Max is set to be the new home for the entire Studio Ghibli film library, and the streamer has also partnered with Monica Lewinsky for a new documentary on public shaming culture, as well as ordered the docuseries The Ho’s (working title).

Available at the spring 2020 launch of the service will be the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ponyo, Castle in the Sky, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and more. The landmark deal with the North American distributor GKIDS for the 21 Studio Ghibli titles marks the first time these films have been licensed to a streaming platform.

“Studio Ghibli films are visually breathtaking, completely immersive experiences,” said Kevin Reilly, chief content officer of HBO Max and president of TNT, TBS and truTV. “Exciting, enchanting, and deeply humanistic, these wonderful films have captured people’s hearts around the world, and we are proud to showcase them in an accessible way for even more fans through HBO Max.”

“We are excited to be working with HBO Max to bring the complete collection of Studio Ghibli films to streaming audiences in the U.S. As a premium content brand, HBO Max is an ideal home for our films,” said Koji Hoshino, chairman of Studio Ghibli. “Upon launch of the service this spring, existing Ghibli fans will be able enjoy their favorites and delve deeper into the library, while whole new audiences will be able to discover our films for the first time.”

Meanwhile, the service has picked up the documentary 15 Minutes of Shame from executive producers Lewinsky and Max Joseph (MTV’s Catfish). Produced by Six West, the documentary features Joseph with appearances by Lewinsky as they take an in-depth look at the public shaming epidemic in our culture and explore our collective need to destroy one another.

15 Minutes of Shame features well-known names and is a timely rollercoaster ride through the world of public shaming. Using follow-doc storytelling, social experiments and the examination of social behavior, the documentary will feature individuals from around the globe who have been publicly shamed—while exploring the bullies, the bystanders, the media, psychologists, politicians and experts in between.

“Monica Lewinsky is an anti-bullying activist with unparalleled authority, making her the perfect partner for this project,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max. “And Max’s strong advocacy for social justice and distinctive storytelling make him particularly well-suited to explore this complex modern phenomenon.”

In other factual news, HBO Max has ordered the docuseries The Ho’s (w/t) from Lionsgate TV.

Led by patriarch Binh Ho and his wife Hue Ho, the family immigrated from Vietnam to the U.S. with little money, relying on hard work to establish the ultimate American dream. They have built a multimillion-dollar bank, a real estate development company and a new generation of American Ho’s. The series pulls back the curtain of their lavish Houston lifestyle and showcases the tight family connections that unite them as well as the multi-generational outrageous drama that ensues.

“Rarely do you come across a family that is so rich in so many ways—not just in wealth, but in heart, traditions and love for each other,” said Jennifer O’Connell, executive VP of original non-fiction and kids programming at HBO Max. “There’s great pride in being a Ho and they are ready to give the world a seat at their luxurious table.”

“The Ho family is wildly engaging and we’re very excited to partner with HBO Max in bringing this hilarious and exuberant series to viewers,” said Alice Dickens-Koblin, Lionsgate senior VP and head of unscripted programming.