Disney presents for the first time The Collected Works Of Hayao Miyazaki, including all 11 of Miyazaki’s feature-length masterpieces in one spectacular 12-disc collection available on Blu-ray™ Exclusively via Amazon.com on November 17, 2015. Experience the majestic works of one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema. Hayao Miyazaki weaves his unique style of artistry and epic adventure into astonishing tales of triumph, bursting with imagination and wonder.

The following films are included in this collection:

Lupin the Third: Castle of Cagliostro, the feature film debut of Academy Award-winning anime creator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service), makes its gallant return to home video with more special features and a better transfer than ever before! In the twilight of his career, master thief Lupin the Third’s latest and greatest caper has hit a snag. What should’ve been bags of cash from a national casino turns out to be expert counterfeits! Together with his partner-in-crime Jigen, Lupin heads to the remote European nation of Cagliostro to exact revenge. Not everything goes as planned; the two encounter Clarisse, a royal damsel in distress being forced to marry the sinister Count Cagliostro against her will. Saving her won’t be easy, however, as Lupin and Jigen — together with Lupin’s unpredictable ex-girlfriend Fujiko and the swordsman Goemon — must fight their way through a trap-filled castle, a deadly dungeon, and an army of professional assassins! Can Lupin rescue the girl, evade the cuffs of his long-time nemesis Inspector Zenigata, and uncover the secret treasures of The Castle of Cagliostro?

After a global war, the seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind remains one of the last strongholds on Earth, untouched by a poisonous jungle and the powerful insects that guard it. Led by the courageous Princess Nausicaa, the people of the Valley engage in an epic struggle to restore the bond between humanity and Earth.

Inspired by “Gulliver’s Travels,” the fantasy-adventure Castle in the Sky (1986) was Hayao Miyazaki’s third feature, and helped to establish his reputation as a visionary in both Japan and America. The orphan Sheeta inherited a mysterious crystal that links her to the legendary sky-kingdom of Laputa. With the help of resourceful Pazu and a rollicking band of sky pirates, she makes her way to the ruins of the once-great civilization. Sheeta and Pazu must outwit the evil Muska, who plans to use Laputa’s science to make himself ruler of the world. Castle echoes elements in Myazaki’s earlier Nausicaä, and anticipates imagery in his later films, from My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited Away. Disney’s new English dub, which features Anna Paquin (Sheeta), James Van Der Beek (Pazu), and Cloris Leachman (pirate matriarch Dola), is lively and close in tone to the original Japanese, if a bit talkier. The exciting flying sequences, appealing characters, and fantastic vision of a steam-powered future Jules Verne might have imagined make Castle in the Sky a must-have for fans of Japanese and Western animation. (Unrated: suitable for ages 10 and older: violence) –Charles Solomon

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Visionary and Academy Award(R)-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, SPIRITED AWAY) has created a heartwarming, music-filled and wonderful world in MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, a delightfully animated family adventure. And now — exclusively in this 2-Disc Special Edition DVD — never-before-seen bonus features reveal even more of Totoro’s fantastic world! Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight, they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro — who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters — including a cat that doubles as a bus! — and takes them on an incredible journey. Bring home MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO from Studio Ghibli and Disney for your family’s DVD library and experience the timeless classic film Roger Ebert calls “one of the very few that come along that are magical for all ages.”

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Discover KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE, a fantastic coming-of-age tale full of magic, adventure and self-discovery from the sensational imagination of Academy Award(R)-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, SPIRITED AWAY). And now you can explore even more of Kiki’s amazing world through never-before-seen bonus features — exclusively in this 2-Disc Special Edition DVD! Kiki is an enterprising young girl who must follow tradition to become a full-fledged witch. Venturing out with only her black cat, Jiji, Kiki flies off for the adventure of a lifetime. Landing in a far-off city, she sets up a high-flying delivery service and begins a wonderful experience of independence and responsibility as she finds her place in the world. Bring home KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE from Studio Ghibli and Disney for your family’s DVD library and share Kiki’s high-flying adventure again and again.

Porco Rosso (1992)

Take flight with PORCO ROSSO, a valiant World War I flying ace! From tropical Adriatic settings to dazzling aerial maneuvers, this action-adventure from world-renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki is full of humor, courage, and chivalry. When “Porco” — whose face has been transformed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell — infuriates a band of sky pirates with his aerial heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a rival pilot, to get rid of him. On the ground, the two pilots compete for the affections of the beautiful Gina. But it’s in the air where the true battles are waged. Will our hero be victorious? For the first time ever on Disney Blu-ray, PORCO ROSSO is a thrilling ride you’ll never forget!

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Claire Danes (THE MOD SQUAD), Minnie Driver (GOOD WILL HUNTING), and Billy Bob Thornton (ARMAGEDDON, SLING BLADE) head a cast of hot Hollywood stars who lend their talents to this exquisitely animated, overwhelmingly acclaimed adventure epic! Inflicted with a deadly curse, a young warrior named Ashitaka (Billy Crudup — WITHOUT LIMITS) sets out for the forests of the west in search of the cure that will save his life. Once there, he becomes inextricably entangled in a bitter battle that matches Lady Eboshi (Driver) and a proud clan of humans against the forest’s animal gods…who are led by the brave Princess Mononoke (Danes), a young woman raised by wolves! Also starring Gillian Anderson (THE X-FILES) and Jada Pinkett Smith (SCREAM 2), this monumental struggle between man and nature will have you transfixed with amazement as stunning artistry blends with epic storytelling to create a uniquely entertaining motion picture!

Spirited Away (2001)

From Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema, comes the Oscar(R)-winning triumph (2002, Best Animated Feature Film), filled with astonishing beauty and epic adventure, a dazzling masterpiece for the ages. SPIRITED AWAY is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call on the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world. an unforgettable story, brimming with creativity, SPIRITED AWAY will take you on a journey beyond your imagination. It’s a fantastic tale the whole family will want to experience over and over again on Disney Blu-ray!

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell. Featuring the voice talents of Christian Bale and Billy Crystal, Miyazaki’s artistry comes to life with inventive characters, unique storytelling, and richly detailed animation.

Ponyo (2008/2009)

Welcome to a world where anything is possible! Academy Award winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, Spirited Away) and legendary filmmaker John Lasseter together with Disney bring to life a heartwarming and imaginative telling of Hans Christian Andersen s classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid. A young boy named Sosuke rescues a goldfish named Ponyo, and they embark on a fantastic journey of friendship and discovery before Ponyo s father, a powerful sorcerer, forces her to return to her home in the sea. But Ponyo s desire to be human upsets the delicate balance of nature and triggers a gigantic storm. Only Ponyo s mother, a beautiful sea goddess, can restore nature s balance and make Ponyo s dreams come true. Ponyo will delight your family with its magnificent animation and timeless story.

The Wind Rises (2013)

From Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (Best Animated Feature, SPIRITED AWAY, 2002) comes a spellbinding movie beyond compare. Experience “perhaps the greatest animated film the cinema has ever seen” (David Ehrlich, Film.com) on Blu-ray. Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted and unable to be a pilot, he becomes one of the world’s most accomplished airplane designers, experiencing key historical events in an epic tale of love, perseverance and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world. Bring home the film that has dazzled fans and critics around the globe. Bursting off the screen with spectacular picture and sound and featuring fascinating bonus material, Miyazaki’s final masterpiece, THE WIND RISES, is breathtaking on Blu-ray and DVD.

Along with these 11 amazing films, The Collection also includes:

1. “Yuki no Taiyo” (Yuki’s Sun) – A 1972 TV pilot based on an original manga by Tetsuya Chiba, directed by Hayao Miyazaki who was also in charge of storyboards and key animation.
2. “Akado Suzunosuke” (Little Samurai) – Three episodes (Episode 26, 27 & 41) of the hit 1972 anime series with storyboarding and more by Hayao Miyazaki.
3. Director Hayao Miyazaki Retirement Press Conference, Uncut Version
4. Booklet: A collector’s edition book featuring “The Great Dichotomy: Looking at the Works of Hayao Miyazaki” by Tomohiro Machiyama, which explores the themes and techniques of this revered Japanese filmmaker, and selected text from Hayao Miyazaki’s initial notes and creative proposals for the production of each film

This collection will be available on Blu-ray™ Exclusively via Amazon.com on November 17, 2015

ABOUT STUDIO GHIBLI:
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by animated film directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, and has produced twenty-one feature-length films. Most Studio Ghibli films have ranked number one at the box office in Japan in the year in which they were released. SPIRITED AWAY, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 2001, is the all-time highest grossing film in Japan, earning over 30 billion yen at the box office. The studio’s SPIRITED AWAY (2001) and HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (2004) are among Japan’s top 5 highest grossing films. Studio Ghibli films have garnered numerous awards and critical acclaim from critics and animation specialists around the world. SPIRITED AWAY was awarded the Golden Bear for Best Feature Film at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and won the Oscar® for Best Animated Feature at the 2003 U.S. Academy Awards®. In October 2001, Studio Ghibli, in conjunction with The Tokuma Memorial Cultural Foundation for Animation, founded the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, designed by Hayao Miyazaki. Studio Ghibli’s film, THE WIND RISES, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, was released in Japan on July 20, 2013, and was nominated for the Oscar® for Best Animated Feature. In 2014 Hayao Miyazaki was presented with an Lifetime Achievement Award “Oscar” award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA, directed by Isao Takahata, opened in Japan on November 23, 2013, and was nominated for the Oscar® for Best Animated Feature. WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (director of ARRIETTY), opened in Japan in July 2014.

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!

Marvel Studios unleashes the next global phenomenon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: MARVEL’S AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, arriving on Digital 3D, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere September 8th and on 3D Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital SD and On-Demand October 2nd! The iconic heroes are forced to reassemble and face their most intimidating enemy yet- Ultron. The home entertainment release includes Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes, Making-of Featurettes, Gag Reel and more!

Marvel Studios reunites Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the unprecedented movie event, Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Iconic heroes are forced to reassemble and face their most intimidating enemy yet – ULTRON. Pushed to the brink of their physical and emotional limits, the team must recruit both new heroes and familiar allies to face an escalating danger that threatens the entire planet.

SYNOPSIS: Marvel Studios unleashes the next global phenomenon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Good intentions wreak havoc when Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) unwittingly creates Ultron (James Spader), a terrifying A.I. monster who vows to achieve “world peace” via mass extinction. Now, Iron Man, Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)—alongside Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) —must reassemble to defeat Ultron and save mankind… if they can! This action-packed adventure is a must-own, mind-blowing blast!

CAST: Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man (Marvel’s The Avengers, Marvel’s Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth as Thor (Marvel’s Thor, Marvel’s The Avengers), Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk (Marvel’s The Avengers, Shutter Island), Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America (Marvel’s The Avengers, Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger), Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Lost in Translation, Marvel’s The Avengers),
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye (The Hurt Locker, Marvel’s The Avengers), James Spader as Ultron (TV’s The Blacklist, Lincoln), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained) as Nick Fury

PRODUCER: Kevin Feige, p.g.a. (Marvel’s The Avengers, Marvel’s Iron Man)
WRITER / DIRECTOR: Joss Whedon (Marvel’s The Avengers, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D)
COMPOSERS: Danny Elfman (TV’s The Simpsons, Corpse Bride), Brian Tyler (Marvel’s Iron Man 3, Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World)
RELEASE DATES: September 8, 2015 for Digital 3D and Digital HD October 2, 2015 for Digital SD, 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack (3D Blu-ray+Single Disc Blu-ray+Digital Copy), Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand
PRODUCTS: Digital HD/SD, Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA), 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand
BONUS: Digital HD*, Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA), 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray
Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes

*Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer
DVD:

FEATURE RUN TIME: Approximately 141 min.
RATINGS: PG-13 in U.S.; PG in CE; G in CF

Starting today we can watch Disney Pixar’s newest short LAVA exclusively on digital on the Disney Movies Anywhere app for iPhone®, iPad® or iPod touch® (http://di.sn/6001BD2Mh)! For a limited time, two weeks to be exact (7/30/15 – 8/12/15), Lava will be available, just enough time to fall in “lava” with LAVA from the comfort of our own home.

Lava is a Disney short currently in theaters with “Inside Out.” It is inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, and is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years. That may be the longest love story Disney has ever created and ironically, it’s a Disney short.

Watch a sneak peek here and then go to the Disney Movies Anywhere app to watch Lava. You will lava it!

Get ready for an all new magical musical adventure of self-discovery in Disney’s Descendants, available on DVD July 31, 2015, starring Kristin Chenoweth as Maleficent, Dove Cameron as Mal, Cameron Boyce as Carlos, Booboo Stewart as Jay, Sofia Carson as Evie, and Mitchell Hope as Ben.

For 20 years villains have been exiled, living in the Isle of the Lost, condemned to eat scraps and annoy each other. Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar and Cruella de Vil remember the better days of power, beauty and a fur coat made from puppies. Now they have children of their own: Mal the daughter of Maleficent, Evie the daughter of The Evil Queen, Jay The son of Jafar and Carlos the son of Cruella de Vil. Thanks to Prince Ben’s royal proclamation, this new generation brings hope to Maleficent as she dreams of a brighter future by using her offspring to steal the wand from the Fairy God Mother. Mal may just get the chance to make all of Maleficent’s dreams come true…and the dreams of her fellow villains as well.

However, there is something Maleficent did not expect, some factor that has the ability to destroy evil, changing their offspring into good model citizens of Auradon. No, it isn’t love. This time around, a prince can’t save the day, a dwarf can’t keep you safe, and a carriage can’t speed you away from danger. Nay, those items are the least of Maleficent’s worries, for hidden in a small red package lies the death of evil and the beginnings of all things good. I give you…The Strawberry. This one little berry that looks so harmless can be the most dangerous of all to a Disney Villain.

Do you doubt my theory? What if I told you the entire reason for Mal’s change from evil to good lies in the pure innocents of a little strawberry? Seriously, without her indulgence in the foods provided by Auradon, we would have had evil triumph and good exiled to the Isle of the Lost. Maleficent would become queen of all. Here’s the proof:

After making Prince Ben fall in love with her, Mal accompanies Ben on a date to a wonderful lake-side picnic. All sorts of foods are available including the infamous strawberries. Although her one goal is to use Ben to get close to the Fairy God Mother’s wand and steal it, Mal sees no harm in sampling the delights. She is denied such foods living on the Isle of the Lost and felt she had a right to indulge. With the strawberries sitting right next to Mal, the trap is set. (Personally, I think the strawberries were placed next to Mal strategically by Ben. He knew about the magical properties that strawberries possessed and he wanted Mal to eat one.)

Amazingly, Mal passes over the strawberries through the first part of the date. Her evil powers are certainly stronger than mine, I would have been all over that berry feast. It isn’t until Ben decides to go swimming that Mal reaches for the closest thing she can hold onto. Having never learned to swim, Mal attempts to avoid embarrassment by claiming she hasn’t had the opportunity to taste a delicious strawberry. As the berry passes her lips, she bites down. The juices run past her tongue leading to a burst of berrylicious flavor. Her eyes dilate and her demeanor softens. Evil begins to melt away as the desire for another taste of that lovely berry kicks her senses into high gear. She shoves another strawberry into her mouth and we lose our once evil Mal.

This is the turning point in the entire film. At that moment, while Ben is swimming, Mal realizes she may love Ben and breaks into her solo, “If Only.” A heartbreaking realization occurs to Mal as evil melts away making room for love, she will have to defy her mother to keep Ben. All thanks to one little strawberry melting the evil within, Mal no longer wishes to steal the wand for her mother.

Perhaps, because she ate so many strawberries, Mal’s thoughts travel back to Ben swimming in the lake. Shock leads to horror as she realizes Ben has not come up for air. In desperation she runs into the lake only to remember she can’t swim. Her evil is washed away leaving behind a girl who would give up everything to save her love; love that would not be there if she hadn’t eaten the strawberry.

In the end, it all came down to a little red berry, innocently sitting in a glass bowl. Mal’s whole world changed the minute she tasted the delicate strawberry. In fact, the whole story changed. Instead of Mal stealing the wand and giving Maleficent power over good and evil, Mal convinced Evie, Jay and Carlos to defy their parents. Maleficent’s plan never comes to fruition, Mal falls in love, and the Descendants are free to live their own life. It is truly amazing what a seemingly harmless berry can do.

Watch Disney’s Descendants, and see if you agree with my theory. Are strawberries the most powerful berry in Auradon?

To purchase the DVD, which includes Never-Before-Seen Bonus Features and a Free Bracelet, head over to amazon.com by clicking the image below.

From the Emmy Award-winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega (“High School Musical” franchise) comes this original contemporary story of classic Disney characters reinvented and the introduction of modern Disney lore. Enter this new epic universe of relatable tween characters on a journey of self-discovery. New on Disney DVD, and complete with never-before-seen bonus and a FREE bracelet!

In a present day idyllic kingdom, the benevolent teenaged son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Disney’s iconic “Beauty and the Beast”) is poised to take the throne. His first proclamation: offer a chance at redemption to the trouble-making offspring of Cruella de Vil, Maleficent the Evil Queen and Jafar who have been imprisoned on a forbidden island with all the other villains, sidekicks, evil step-mothers and step-sisters. These villainous descendants (Carlos, Mal, Evie and Jay, respectively) are allowed into the kingdom to attend prep school alongside the offspring of iconic Disney heroes, including Fairy Godmother, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Mulan.

Don’t forget to grab all the free printables and have an epic premiere party!

Disclosure: SKGaleana receives products in order to conduct reviews. Unless noted otherwise, no monetary compensation was provided. I only share and recommend products or services I think will be a good fit for my readers. All the opinions are 100% my own. In exchange for referrals, some posts may contain affiliate links that I may receive commission for payment. (See more here)