Studio Ghibli's Tales from Earthsea, widely regarded as the studio's weakest film, is returning to North American cinemas next month to mark its 20th anniversary. Directed by Goro Miyazaki—son of studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki—in his feature debut, the 2006 film adapted Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea novels by blending elements from multiple books, an ambitious undertaking that drew criticism for uneven pacing and fragmented storytelling. The re-release gives audiences a chance to revisit one of Ghibli's most divisive works and reassess a legacy that has grown more complicated over time.

Critics originally faulted the film for struggling to balance ideas drawn from The Farthest Shore and Tehanu into a single coherent narrative, resulting in rushed character development. The father-son dynamic between Goro and Hayao Miyazaki, who reportedly had reservations about his son directing, added further scrutiny to the project. Despite its reputation, the film is often praised for its painted backgrounds and Joe Hisaishi's score, and it has found a newer audience through streaming platforms such as HBO Max.