How & Where to Watch Ponyo in 2024: Watch Studio Ghibli Movies Online
Studio Ghibli movies like Ponyo aren’t hard to find online -- unless you’re in a location where a streaming service or library is blocked. Read on to find out how and where to watch Ponyo with a VPN from wherever you are.
Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Vildana Bratic (Video Editor, Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-09-30T17:12:53+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: Where to Watch Ponyo Online
- Get a 73% discounted NordVPN subscription.
- Connect to a server where Ponyo is available, such as a U.K. server.
- Go to Netflix and start streaming Ponyo.
Best VPNs for Streaming Ponyo:
- NordVPN — Top-tier VPN with uncompromising performance. New NordVPN subscribers get up to 73% reduced rates on long-term commitments.
- Surfshark — Best VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. Explore Surfshark’s features with a 30-day return policy, and grab extended plans at a 86% discount.
- ExpressVPN — Slightly more expensive VPN but feature-rich and fast. Get 49% off the first year with ExpressVPN, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
What to Know About Ponyo:
- Though Ponyo is not available on Netflix in the U.S. and Japan, you can still find it in various other Netflix libraries, including the U.K., Canada, France, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and Australia. The animated film is also on Max.
- If you are in a location where Ponyo isn’t available on Netflix, you can change your Netflix library with a VPN to stream Ponyo.
- NordVPN is the VPN we consider to be the best for streaming on Netflix and Max, but Surfshark is a more affordable alternative.
Ponyo (2008) by Hayao Miyazaki is the tale of a beautiful goldfish trapped in a glass bottle and her friendship with her savior, a five-year-old boy from the human world. If you’ve been unable to find this much-loved Japanese animation film online, this guide explains how and where to watch Ponyo from anywhere in the world.
Though streaming services like Max and Netflix give you access to huge content libraries and are widely available, they also utilize regional restrictions to make sure some content is only accessible in specific locations. For example, you might find Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix in one country, then travel to another country and find them unavailable.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to access blocked streaming services and libraries to stream Ponyo with a secure virtual private network (VPN) like NordVPN.
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Status checked 2024/10/26:
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10/01/2024
We verified the steps and updated the ranking to reflect current VPN performance, features and pricing.
Where to Watch Ponyo
Ponyo is available to stream on a couple of major subscription services, and to purchase on buy and rent platforms. If you’re in a location where a streaming service or library with Ponyo is blocked, you’ll need to connect to a VPN to bypass the blocks. More on this further down.
Which Streaming Services Have Ponyo?
Max has Ponyo in its library, along with other Studio Ghibli movies like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. Max is available in several countries outside the U.S., including (but not limited to) Mexico, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway and Sweden.
Unfortunately, Max isn’t available in the U.K., Canada, Australia, Asian countries or African countries. The good news is that you can still access your Max account from unavailable locations with a VPN.
You can also buy or rent Ponyo on Amazon Prime Video U.S., Vudu, iTunes, Google Play and YouTube Movies & TV.
Is Ponyo on Netflix?
Yes, but not in the United States or Japan. If you’re in a location where Ponyo isn’t available on Netflix, we’ll show you further down how to access Ponyo on Netflix with a VPN. We found Ponyo on Netflix in the following locations:
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇬🇧 The U.K.
- 🇿🇦 South Africa
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇰🇷 South Korea
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇸🇬 Singapore
How to Watch Ponyo for Free
Amazon Prime Video U.S. offers a seven-day free trial of the Max add-on. If you have a U.S. payment method, you can sign up for this to stream Ponyo for free.
If you have a U.S. payment method but are abroad, you can connect to a U.S. VPN server to get into Amazon Prime Video U.S. Most VPNs offer money-back guarantees, so you can pair this with an Amazon Prime Video and Max free trial.
How to Watch Ponyo With a VPN
This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to access Ponyo on Netflix U.K. from anywhere with NordVPN — the VPN we consider to be the best for streaming.
You can use the same method to access your Max account from locations where it’s not available if you’re traveling overseas. To do this, connect to a U.S. server or a server in another country where Max isn’t blocked.
- Get a VPN
Go to a reputable VPN’s website and sign up for a plan. If you’re worried about making the investment, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and its two-year plan works out the cheapest.
- Install the VPN
Download and install the VPN’s app. Each website will be different, but look for a “download” tab.
- Connect to a U.K. Server
Connect to a server in the U.K. or another country where Ponyo is available on Netflix (Canada, France, etc.).
- Watch Ponyo
Go to the Netflix homepage and search for Ponyo. Click “play” to start streaming.
The Best VPNs for Watching Ponyo
In the VPN world, you’ve got the excellent, the good and the downright terrible — our worst free VPNs post gives you a heads-up on services to avoid. Here are three reputable, secure and fast services that won’t compromise your privacy while you stream.
1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Streaming
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is a budget-friendly VPN with top performance. Though its monthly plan is costly, the two-year plan is much more attractive. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind. Moreover, NordVPN’s speeds are the best on average, which helps you avoid common streaming issues like buffering and lagging.
Its desktop app is easy to use and includes an interactive map. However, it’s not quite as easy to use on the mobile app due to the smaller screen. Otherwise, NordVPN is a top-notch streaming VPN, as detailed in our NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — Best Budget Streaming VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Good
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $59.76 for one year, $59.76 per year for the two-year plan.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $79 for one year & $79 per year for the two-year plan.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Easy to Use Streaming VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
Best Free VPN for Streaming Ponyo: Proton VPN
As far as free VPNs go, we consider Proton VPN to be the best. You have to be careful with free VPNs for security and privacy reasons, but you don’t have to worry about these issues with Proton VPN, as our Proton VPN review explains in more detail. One of the best Proton VPN features is that it gives you unlimited data on the free plan.
On the flip side, there are only three free locations (the U.S., Japan, Netherlands). This makes it a great choice if you want to access Max from outside the U.S. or Netherlands, but it does limit you if you want to access services in other locations.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- 500 GB storage 1 user 15 extra email addresses for you Support for 3 custom email domains Unlimited folders and labels Unlimited hide-my-email aliases Dedicated customer support Ultra fast and private VPN Encrypted password manager Encrypted cloud storage for photos and documents Advanced account protection
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- **Renewal prices differ for the 1-year and the 2-year plans. Price includes all premium Proton services (Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, Pass, & Wallet)
- Unlimited GB
- 10
Cast, Characters & Plot: Ponyo
Ponyo’s original title in Japanese translates to “Ponyo on the Cliff.” It’s about a goldfish princess who, one fateful day, secretly ventures to the ocean’s surface, and becomes trapped in a glass bottle after crossing paths with a sailor.
She is rescued by a human child, a boy called Sōsuke who lives on an oceanside cliff. Sōsuke names the goldfish “Ponyo,” and soon realizes that this is no ordinary goldfish. The pair develop a strong friendship.
Though Ponyo’s father sends spirits to bring her back to the ocean, her desire to become human is overpowering, with potentially dangerous consequences. The Ponyo voice cast consists of the following:
| Character | Japanese Version | English Version |
|---|---|---|
| Ponyo | Yuria Nara | Noah Cyrus |
| Sōsuke | Hiroki Doi | Frankie Jonas |
| Mother Lisa | Tomoko Yamaguchi | Tina Fey |
| Kōichi | Kazushige Nagashima | Matt Damon |
| Gran Mamare | Yūki Amami | Cate Blanchett |
Final Thoughts: Streaming Ponyo
Not only can a VPN get you into Netflix in locations where Ponyo is available, but it also opens up a much wider streaming world to explore. Whatever Studio Ghibli movie you want to watch, we hope you can now enjoy a much more liberated streaming experience.
NordVPN is the best VPN for accessing Netflix or any other streaming service, with Surfshark being another great option. Curious about NordVPN? Its 30-day refund policy means you can explore all its features worry-free and decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Which Studio Ghibli movie is your favorite? Do you plan to stream Ponyo or another Studio Ghibli film on Netflix or Max with a VPN? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: How to Watch Ponyo Online
No, Ponyo is not on Disney+.
You can watch Ponyo on Netflix in various countries, including the U.K., Canada, France, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa and Australia. It’s also on Max in the U.S. and elsewhere. We’ve guide on how to stream Max from anywhere.
No, Ponyo is not on Crunchyroll.