Anime fans everywhere will rejoice to know that Netflix has landed the full Studio Ghibli anime library. However, the only problem is if you live in the United States, you won’t see these films in your library.
Why? Because certain titles are geo-locked and unfortunately Netflix doesn’t have the rights to show these films in the United States. But don’t fear! We can hack the system and give you access to watch Studio Ghibli films on Netflix via a VPN.
Which Countries Can Watch Studio Ghibli Films on Netflix?
As of the writing of this article, you can watch Studio Ghibli anime on Netflix in the following countries:
- The United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
So if you are not currently in one of the above countries, you are out of luck. But don’t worry! Below we’ll explain how you can stream Studio Ghibli films on Netflix, even if you aren’t in one of the above regions.
Please note: We have verified that the above countries do have the Ghibli films in their Netflix libraries. However, it is possible that other countries have since had the films added. But for the purposes of this article, you only need to know 1 Netflix region that has access to the films.
Fun fact: If you are also a Makoto Shinkai fan, you can also watch Your Name via Netflix’s UK library and you can watch Weathering With You via Netflix’s Australia library.
How to Watch Studio Ghibli Films on Netflix from the United States:
- Download a VPN (we’ve confirmed that NordVPN works for this method)
- Clear your Netflix cache
- Choose The UK, Australia, or Canada as your region in the VPN
- Log in to Netflix and search for your desired ghibli anime film
Step 1. Download a VPN
This is pretty self-explanatory. You simply need to download a VPN (we’ve confirmed that NordVPN works for this method), and either purchase a subscription or just signup for the free trial.
All reputable VPNs will have a free trial option. A VPN is necessary because Netflix tracks your location your IP address. A VPN (virtual private network) is a software that masks your IP address and protects you from cyberattacks, as well as stops companies from tracking your internet activity without your permission.
However, VPNs can also fake your IP address to make it appear as though you are in a different country. In doing so, we can trick the Netflix app into thinking we are in a different country and give us access to that country’s library.
Step 2. Clear Your Netflix Cache
This step isn’t always necessary, but sometimes if you don’t clear your cache, the Netflix app will have your past location data and this method won’t work. In order to ensure that you can watch the Studio Ghibli films on Netflix properly and without issue, you should clear your cache before connecting the VPN to your desired country.
To do so on mobile:
- Go to App settings
- Click on Netflix
- Click on a setting that says cache, storage & cache, or something similar
- Click “clear cache” NOT clear storage. Clearing storage could remove your downloads and require you to sign in again
To do so on PC:
- Go to the settings of whatever browser you’re using
- Go to the Privacy and Security section
- Locate an option to clear browsing data or internet data
- Clear both “Cookies and Site Data” as well as “Cached Files and Images”
Step 3. Choose The UK, Austalia, or Canada as your region in the VPN
This one is pretty self-explanatory. To watch Studio Ghibli films on Netflix, we must choose the country where the films are available on their Netflix library.
Below is a screenshot of how to do this on PC via the NordVPN desktop app.
Step 4. Log in to Netflix and search for your desired anime film
And the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Time to see if our method worked…
Let’s test it out by typing in m favorite Ghibli Film: Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind.
It worked! Not only does Nausicaa pop up as the first suggestion, but almost ALL of the Studio Ghibli Films pop up on the Netflix search results.
Final Thoughts on Watching Studio Ghibli Films on Netflix
I hope this guide is successful for you and you can watch the anime you’re looking for to your heart’s content!
Studio Ghibli Merch
Remember to clear your cache if this doesn’t work for you the first time. If you’re a diehard fan looking to buy some Ghibli merch, check out Japan-exclusive Studio Ghibli merch on ZenPlus.
And if you’re looking for other anime to watch, check out our other anime watch guides:
Will I need a seperate Netflix account from my US account?
Nope not at all!