Legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki has scored a hit with his latest and supposedly final film, The Boy and the Heron, which debuted at No 1 at the North American box office.
The film, which is a fantasy adventure about a boy who befriends a heron, earned $25.6 million in its opening weekend, beating The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which came in second with $18.4 million, and Godzilla Minus One, which took third place with $15.2 million.
The Boy and the Heron is Miyazaki's 12th feature film and his first since 2013's The Wind Rises, which was also announced as his swan song at the time. The 81-year-old director, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest animators of all time, has said that he will retire after completing The Boy and the Heron, which took him six years to make.
The film, which is based on a Japanese folk tale, follows the adventures of a young boy named Kaito, who lives in a fishing village and dreams of flying. One day, he encounters a wounded heron and decides to nurse it back to health. He soon discovers that the heron is actually a shape-shifting princess named Yuki, who is on the run from an evil lord who wants to capture her and use her magic powers.
The film features the voice talents of Tom Holland as Kaito, Zendaya as Yuki, Ken Watanabe as the evil lord, and Cate Blanchett as a mysterious witch. The film has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its stunning animation, heartfelt story, and environmental message.
The film has also been a huge success in Japan, where it was released in October and has grossed over $200 million, making it the highest-grossing film of the year and the fourth-highest-grossing film of all time in the country. The film is also nominated for six Japan Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
The Boy and the Heron is expected to be a strong contender for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which Miyazaki has won once before for 2001's Spirited Away. The film will also be the last film to be produced by Studio Ghibli, the renowned animation studio that Miyazaki co-founded in 1985 and that has produced many acclaimed films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Howl's Moving Castle.
The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios in North America and is rated PG for some thematic elements and peril. The film is currently playing in theaters and will be available on Disney+ in January.
