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One of Netflix’s biggest announcements for 2020 is its partnership with the internationally recognized Studio Ghibli. As a result of this agreement, 21 films from the Academy Award-winning animation studio will make their way to the platform over the course of the next couple months — the first time in history Ghibli Films have ever been available to stream.
However, Netflix’s exciting news excludes three major markets: the United States, Canada and oddly enough, Japan. While this almost assuredly leaves plenty of Hayao Miyazaki devotees out in the cold, it’s actually pretty easy to access international Netflix libraries. With our help (and a good VPN), you’ll be binging films like Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro in no time.

How to Access Studio Ghibli Films on Netflix in the United States

Though it’s disappointing to learn the Studio Ghibli collection won’t be readily available in the US, American Otaku shouldn’t lose hope just yet. Anime lovers can bypass this small hurdle simply by using a VPN, or Virtual Private Network.
The process for unblocking content on Netflix is pretty similar across different VPNs. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  1. Start up the VPN of your choice.
  2. Choose a server location outside the United States, Canada or Japan.
  3. Stream the night away with Ghibli and Netflix.

While this may seem pretty straightforward, some VPNs work better with Netflix than others. Here are a few VPN options we’ve had good results with when streaming Netflix:

Recommended VPNs to Consider


1. NordVPN
The Best Deal Currently: $3.49 Per Month for 36 Months (Reg. $11.95 / month)
NordVPN offers one of the strongest value propositions of all the premium virtual private networks. In includes a lot of the positive features seen in similar services like ExpressVPN for essentially half the price.

Check Deals at NordVPN

For a limited time, NordVPN is also celebrating its birthday and giving away up to three years of additional service when you opt for a 36-month subscription, which is also currently 70% off. The possible gifts during this promo can be lengths of one month, one year,  two years or three years. And if you happen to be dissatisfied with the service for any reason, there is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. ExpressVPN
The Best Deal Currently: $8.32 Per Month for 12 Months (Reg. $12.95 / month)
This service is regarded as one of the best and most reliable for use with Netflix. Beyond the fast speeds, ExpressVPN also excels in the areas of security and privacy. The app is very user-friendly and will allow you to stream with ease on your computer, tablet or phone. Like NordVPN, you can try this service for 30-days risk-free to make sure you are satisfied with its Netflix performance.

Check Deals at ExpressVPN


3. VyprVPN
The Best Deal Currently: $2.50 Per Month for 24 Months (Reg. $12.95 / month)
VyprVPN is another good choice with excellent speeds and competitive pricing. The service is also easy to use and has apps for all sorts of devices. Though it doesn’t have as many server locations as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, there are still over 70 choices globally to stream Netflix from. Similar to the aforementioned services, VyprVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out to see if it’s the network for you. But you better hurry, this deal ends early Feb. 20th.

Check Deals at VyperVPN

Princess Mononoke screenshot

Studio Ghibli Release Schedule on Netflix

February 1st March 1st April 1st
  • Castle in the Sky (1986)
  • Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
  • Pom Poko (1994)
  • My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
  • Princess Mononoke (1997)
  • Whisper of the Heart (1995)
  • Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
  • My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
  • Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
  • Only Yesterday (1991)
  • Spirited Away (2001)
  • Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)
  • Porco Rosso (1992)
  • The Cat Returns (2002)
  • From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
  • Ocean Waves (1993)
  • Arrietty (2010)
  • The Wind Rises (2013)
  • Tales from Earthsea (2006)
  • The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
  • When Marnie Was There (2014)

Promotions for VPNs pop up pretty frequently on Slickdeals. So if you don’t want to miss out on the next big discount, make sure to set up a Deal Alert.

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Sections of this article sponsored by NordVPN.

QT

Quan Tsang

A long-time bargain pirate, Quan has been scouring the digital seas for discounts and spreading the savings throughout Slickdeals for years. His Aggregate Reviews help many consumers gain comprehensive insights on the latest cutting-edge gadgetry. Despite his unconditional love for tech, Quan’s favorite deal category is actually watches. Thanks to Slickdeals, he has amassed over three dozen timepieces for his collection.