Film News

Spirited Away Stage Play to Screen in American Cinemas for Two Nights This October

The Japanese filmed production, adapted and directed by Tony Award winner John Caird, stars Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro.

David Gordon

| New York City |

September 1, 2026

Mone Kamishiraishi in the UK Production of Spirited Away (© Johan Persson) — Mone Kamishiraishi in the UK Production of *Spirited Away*
(© Johan Persson)

The Japanese stage adaptation of Spirited Away will screen in American movie theaters October 1 and 8 as part of this year’s Ghibli Fest.

The acclaimed theatrical production of Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning animated film was filmed during its 2022 run at Tokyo’s Imperial Theatre. It has been adapted by director John Caird, co-adapted by Maoko Imai, and features the original film score by Joe Hisaishi.

Spirited Away tells the story of Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl moving with her parents to their new home, and the mysterious adventures in which they become entangled. The original film from Studio Ghibli won the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and went on to earn $396 million at the box office worldwide.

Spirited Away was recorded in Japanese, with English subtitles providd. The showings will reflect the two alternating casts led by Kanna Hashimoto (October 1 screening) and Mone Kamishiraishi (October 8 screening)e as Chihiro. Character actor Mari Natsuki, who voiced the sorceress Yubaba and her twin sister Zeniba in the original motion picture, returns to her original role, accompanied by voice actor Romi Park.

Musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements are by Brad Haak, with associate music supervision, orchestrations and ableton programming by Conor Keelan. The creative team also includes set designer Jon Bausor, puppet designer Toby Olié, choreographer Shigehiro Ide, costume designer Sachiko Nakahara, lighting designer Jiro Katsushiba, sound designer Koichi Yamamoto, hair and make-up designer Hiroaki Miyauchi, projection designer Satoshi Kuriyama, stage manager Takashi Hojo, assistant to the director Maoko Imai, associate director Makoto Nagai, co-producer Iain Gillie and producer Haruka Ogi.