29 Years Later, The Anime Movie Officially Branded Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘Most Violent Film’ Returns to Theaters

In the anime world, some movies don’t just tell a great story; they also leave a mark on animation history. Princess Mononoke is one of those rare films. Hayao Miyazaki‘s 1997 classic has everything from huge forest gods and powerful warriors to bloody battles and a bitter fight between humans and nature.

And nearly 29 years later, the beloved Studio Ghibli movie is returning to the US theaters, giving fans another chance to experience its world on the big screen. Here’s everything about it.

Princess Mononoke Returns to US Theaters in September

Princess Mononoke will return to US theaters from September 26 through September 30, 2026, as part of Studio Ghibli Fest 2026. GKIDS and Fathom Events are bringing the movie back for a special limited theatrical run across the country (via GKIDS official website).

A still from Princess Mononoke. | Credit: Studio Ghibli

The screenings will be available in both versions of the movie. Fans can watch the English dub or choose the original Japanese version with English subtitles. The return also gives longtime fans a chance to see the film in a new 4K remastered presentation.

The timing makes the re-release even more exciting. Princess Mononoke was already a massive visual achievement when it arrived in 1997. Its giant forests, enormous creatures, detailed landscapes, and intense battles were unlike anything many anime fans had seen before.

The movie also has the kind of story that benefits from a theater screen. Ashitaka’s journey takes him into a dangerous conflict between the people of Iron Town and the spirits of the forest. Instead of giving viewers an easy hero-versus-villain story, Hayao Miyazaki makes both sides understandable. That is a big reason why Princess Mononoke still feels fresh nearly three decades later.

Why Princess Mononoke Is Called Hayao Miyazaki‘s Most Violent Film

Princess Mononoke is very different from the softer image many people have of Studio Ghibli movies. The film does not hold back when showing the damage caused by war, hatred, and the fight for survival. The story follows Ashitaka, a young prince who is cursed after fighting a corrupted boar god. While searching for a cure, he reaches Iron Town and becomes caught between Lady Eboshi and San, a human girl raised by wolves.

The conflict quickly becomes violent. Characters lose limbs, animals are killed, warriors are cut down, and the forest itself becomes a battlefield. Some scenes are surprisingly graphic for an animated movie, especially for audiences who may expect a more peaceful Ghibli adventure.

But the violence is not there just to shock viewers. It has a purpose. Miyazaki uses it to show how hatred can spread and how easily people can destroy what they do not understand.

Even Lady Eboshi is not simply an evil villain. She gives people who were pushed aside by society a place to live and work in Iron Town. At the same time, her search for resources puts the forest and its creatures in danger. San is fighting for the forest, but her anger toward humans also keeps the conflict alive.

This balance is what makes Princess Mononoke so powerful. There is no simple side to support and no easy answer to the conflict. Almost everyone has a reason for what they are doing, yet their choices still come with painful consequences. That is also why the “most violent” label does not tell the whole story. Princess Mononoke may be one of Miyazaki’s bloodiest films, but its violence is tied closely to its themes of nature, war, hatred, and humanity.

After 29 years, its return to theaters is a reminder of just how much this classic still has to offer. Now the big question: Will you be watching Princess Mononoke on the big screen when it returns to US theaters this month? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Princess Mononoke is also available to watch on HBO MAX.