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A decade in, Studio Ghibli Fest keeps growing as new generations flock to 'Totoro,' 'Ponyo' and more
Summary by The Piney Point Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Jake Coyle, Associated Press , KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 23, 2026
· 6 min read
Whenever the calendar comes out, Amanda Mendoza VanCleave circles the dates. Studio Ghibli Fest , the long-running theatrical revivals of Ghibli movies, has taken on a special meaning for her, her 3-year-old daughter and her mother, Araceli. Every year, they go to see each Ghibli rerelease in the...
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Summary created by The Piney Point Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Jake Coyle, Associated Press, KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Studio Ghibli Fest , the long-running theatrical revivals of Ghibli movies, has taken on a special meaning for her, her 3-year-old daughter and her mother, Araceli.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The enduring popularity of Studio Ghibli Fest is a testament to the power of communal cinematic experiences in the Houston area. As families like the Mendozas create their own traditions around these events, local theaters benefit from the consistent draw of Ghibli fans. The fact that Ghibli Fest has continued to grow, even after the films became available to stream on HBO Max, suggests that audiences in Piney Point Village and surrounding communities value the unique experience of watching these beloved films on the big screen. With its strong box office performance, Ghibli Fest is likely to remain a staple of local cinema calendars, providing a shared cultural experience for families and fans of all ages. As the festival continues to expand its footprint, it will be interesting to see how local theaters respond to the demand, potentially offering more screenings or special events to cater to the dedicated fan base.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Whenever the calendar comes out, Amanda Mendoza VanCleave circles the dates. Studio Ghibli Fest , the long-running theatrical revivals of Ghibli movies, has taken on a special meaning for her, her 3-year-old daughter and her mother, Araceli. Every year, they go to see each Ghibli rerelease in the...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jake Coyle, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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