All the Prestigious Awards Earned by Hayao Miyazaki's Masterpiece, The Boy and The Heron

Hayao Miyazaki's recent film, The Boy and The Heron, has made a significant impact in the past month, earning numerous awards and nominations. This success further solidifies Miyazaki's reputation as one of Japan's top filmmakers. The film's impressive box office performance is a clear indication of its widespread appeal.

The film garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Music and secured a win at the Golden Globes for Best Picture - Animated. This is just the beginning, with the film accumulating 52 award nominations and triumphing in 17 categories.

The Boy and The Heron tells the story of 12-year-old Mahito, who struggles to adjust to a new town following his mother's passing. However, everything changes when a talking Heron appears and suggests that his mother may still be alive. In his quest to find her, Mahito discovers an abandoned tower that serves as a portal to another world.

This film features a talented cast for both the original Japanese version and the English dub. The Japanese cast includes Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Ko Shibasaki, Yoshino Kimura, and Aimyon, among others. Meanwhile, the English dub cast includes Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh, Karen Fukuhara, and others.

All in all, is it no surprise that Hayao Miyazaki's film turned out to be a masterpiece with its visualization and music, which contributed to its staggering success.

The Boy and The Heron: Every award the film won

The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

Hayao Miyazaki's film won the award for Best Animated Film at the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards. The society was founded in 1981 to voice Boston’s unique critical perspective on the national and international stage. It achieves this by presenting accolades to the best films, filmmakers, local film theaters, and film societies that offer top-notch film programming.

1) Boston Society of Flim Critics Awards

The Boy and The Heron, an image from Studio Ghibli's film

The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association consists of 31 print, radio/TV, and internet journalists from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They convene annually in December to collectively select the most impactful films of the year. In 2023, their top choice was Miyazaki's The Boy and The Heron, lauding its breathtaking visuals and masterful storytelling.

2) Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards

Hayao Miyazaki's film captivated critics and won the Best Film award, while crew member Joe Hisaishi was also honored for Best Score. The Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) consists of 30 film critics from Florida-based print and online publications, who gather at the end of each year to vote on exceptional achievements in films released that year, similar to Dallas-Fort Worth.

3) Florida Film Critics Circle Awards

A still from The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

4) Golden Globes, USA

The film garnered significant attention for being awarded Best Picture - Animated at the 2023 Golden Globes, which is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the industry. The Golden Globes is an annual event that recognizes outstanding achievements in both American and international film and television. Since its inception in 1914, the awards ceremony has been dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of talented individuals and their contributions to the entertainment industry.

The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association is comprised of film critics from print and electronic media based in Los Angeles. Annually, they convene in December to cast their votes and recognize individuals in the film industry who have excelled in their respective fields throughout the year. In 2023, Miyazaki's film was selected as the "Best Animation 2023".

5) Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards

A still from The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

The National Board of Review, a non-profit organization of film enthusiasts in New York City, holds a unique award ceremony that sets the stage for the film awards season. In early December, they announced their awards, which are seen as an early indicator of the prestigious Academy Awards.

In 2023, The Boy and The Heron received the esteemed Top Films - 2023 Award, captivating the New York City film community.

6) National Board of Review, USA

Established in 1935 by Wanda Hale, the New York Film Critics Circle is a prestigious organization of film critics. Consisting of 30 members from New York-based newspapers, magazines, and online publications, they come together annually in December to honor excellence in global cinema from the previous year.

In 2023, Hayao Miyazaki's film was the recipient of the Best Animated Film award. Its captivating storytelling and original perspective left a lasting impression on the members of the Circle.

7) New York Film Critics Circle Awards

The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

The San Diego Film Critics Society is comprised of print, television, radio, and digital film critics who work in San Diego County. Established in 1997, their mission is to offer diverse critical perspectives on movies, advance film education and awareness, and recognize excellence in cinema.

In 2023, Hayao Miyazaki's film took home the award for Best Animated Film.

8) San Diego Film Critics Society Awards

A still from The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

9) Alliance of Women Film Journalists

Similarly to the National Board of Review, which was established in 2006, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists is also a non-profit organization. Located in New York City, it is dedicated to championing the work of women in the film industry. In 2024, Hayao Miyazaki's film was awarded the title of Best Animated Film and he was invited to accept the accolade.

The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

Formerly called the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, the Imagine Film Festival, also known as the Imagine Fantastic Film Festival or simply Imagine, is an annual event held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Established in 1991, it originally centered on the fantasy and horror genres before broadening to include other categories.

This time around, by popular vote, the audience choice award went to Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and The Heron. It floored viewers and garnered maximum votes to grab the win.

10) Imagine Film Festival, NL

A still from The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

The Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Awards comprises film critics from various Philadelphia-based print and electronic media outlets. This group is responsible for nominating and choosing the top films of the year for prestigious annual awards. In 2023, Miyazaki's film was honored with 2 awards, specifically for Best Animated Film and Best Foreign Language Film.

11) Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Awards

The Boy and The Heron (Image via Studio Ghibli)

12) New Mexico Film Critics

New Mexico Film Critics is comprised of a diverse group of film critics from various media platforms including digital, print, television, and radio. Annually, they convene to deliberate and vote on the best films of the year, recognizing the exceptional work of artists. In the most recent awards, Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece clinched the title for Best Animated Film.

The Boy and The Heron movie still (Image via Studio Ghibli)

The Greater Western New York Film Critics Association is a union of WNY film critics from the Buffalo and Rochester metropolitan areas who share a passion for the art of cinema. Established in 2018, the association aims to unite the diverse voices of the region, including writers from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online platforms.

Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and The Heron received the award for "Best Animated Film 2024" and a nomination for Best Foreign Film 2024.

13) Greater Western New York Film Critics Association Awards

The Astra Film Awards are given out by the Hollywood Creative Alliance, formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association. They rebranded as the Hollywood Creative Alliance and named their main awards show The Astra Awards. Among the many standout films this past year, director Hayao Miyazaki was honored with the Best International Filmmaker award for The Boy and The Heron.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Hayao Miyazaki's works, I am thrilled and proud to witness the remarkable success of his latest masterpiece, "The Boy and The Heron." The film's triumph in garnering prestigious awards and nominations is a testament to Miyazaki's exceptional storytelling, breathtaking animation, and profound themes that resonate with audiences worldwide. The film's success further solidifies Miyazaki's status as a legendary filmmaker and a true master of the craft.

The film's accolades, including the Oscar nomination for Best Music and the Golden Globe win for Best Picture - Animated, are well-deserved recognition for the film's outstanding achievements. The film's captivating narrative, which follows the journey of a young boy in search of his lost mother, is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, exploring themes of love, loss, and the power of imagination. The film's stunning visuals, featuring Miyazaki's signature blend of intricate details and vibrant colors, further enhance the immersive experience for viewers.