Immersive galleries, interactive installations, and iconic characters
The highly anticipated The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition is coming to Manarat Al Saadiyat on 30 May 2026, marking the Studio’s debut in the UAE.
This exhibition is set to delight visitors of all ages. It’s your chance to step into the magical worlds, unforgettable characters, and groundbreaking storytelling that have captured hearts around the globe for nearly 40 years.
Since 1985, Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, and producer Toshio Suzuki have been creating films that are both breathtaking adventures and charming slices of everyday life.
Their hand-drawn visuals, intricate worlds, and unforgettable characters have inspired generations of animators and storytellers.
Seven Ghibli films have received Academy Award® nominations, with Spirited Away (2001) and The Boy and the Heron (2023) taking home Best Animated Feature Film.
And in 2024, Studio Ghibli, the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, and Ghibli Park made history as the first group awarded an Honourary Palme d’Or at Cannes, a huge nod to their incredible legacy.
At The World of Studio Ghibli, you’ll wander through 16 galleries at Manarat Al Saadiyat, exploring fan-favourites like My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004).
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Prepare to be fully immersed in Ghibli’s vibrant, magical worlds and meet some of your favourite characters up close.
Highlights include large-scale theatrical sets that transport you right into iconic scenes, stand in the rain with Totoro, wander through Howl’s Moving Castle, or hop on a train with No Face.
There’s plenty of interactive fun too: check out box art pieces and installations that let you get closer to the details in every frame, from Kiki’s witchy lab to Satsuki’s sweet letter about meeting Totoro.
Whimsical art installations invite you to dive even deeper into the magic and atmosphere of each story.
And of course, no visit is complete without a stop at the retail shop, where exclusive merchandise and souvenirs created just for Manarat Al Saadiyat are waiting to be snapped up.
After first appearing in Japan in 2013, the exhibition has traveled to South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and most recently Singapore.
Now, Abu Dhabi fans finally get to experience the magic for themselves!
Ticket info: Waitlist period: 3-8 December 2025. Pre-sale for waitlist customers: 8 December 2025. General sales: 9 December 2025. The World of Studio Ghibli will run from 30 May 2026 to 20 August 2026. For further information, visit theworldofstudioghibli.ae
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