NETFLIX has announced that 21 new, special films will come to its streaming service starting on February 1.

The American entertainment giant revealed that the films are from Academy Award-winning Japanese art house, Studio Ghibli.

All 21 animated movies will be available globally, apart from in the US, Canada and Japan.

They will be subtitled in 28 languages, and dubbed in up to 20 languages.

It has all been made possible by Netflix's distribution partner Wild Bunch International.

The films are set to be released in blocks of seven, beginning on February 1.

The full list includes the Academy Award-winning "Spirited Away", as well as the studio's most recent feature-length creation, "When Marnie Was There".

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by Japanese animated film directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki.

It has produced 22 feature-length films in total.

Toshio Suzuki, Producer at Studio Ghibli, said: "In this day and age, there are various great ways a film can reach audiences.

"We’ve listened to our fans and have made the definitive decision to stream our film catalogue.

"We hope people around the world will discover the world of Studio Ghibli through this experience."

The second set of seven films will be released on March 1, with the final seven coming out on April 1.

Aram Yacoubian, Director of Original Animation at Netflix, said: "This is a dream come true for Netflix and millions of our members.

"Studio Ghibli's animated films are legendary and have enthralled fans around the world for over 35 years.

"We're excited to make them available in more languages across Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia - so that more people can enjoy this whimsical and wonderful world of animation."

A full list of the films and when they will be released is below:

February 1:

  • Castle in the Sky (1986) 
  • My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
  • Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
  • Only Yesterday (1991)
  • Porco Rosso (1992)
  • Ocean Waves (1993)
  • Tales from Earthsea (2006)

March 1:

  • Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
  • Princess Mononoke (1997)
  • My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
  • Spirited Away (2001)
  • The Cat Returns (2002)
  • Arrietty (2010)
  • The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)

April 1:

  • Pom Poko (1994)
  • Whisper of the Heart (1995)
  • Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
  • Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)
  • From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
  • The Wind Rises (2013)
  • When Marnie Was There (2014)