GKIDS confirmed theatrical screenings of two canonical Evangelion films across select US theaters this summer, marking the franchise's 30th anniversary celebration. The distributor will release Evangelion: Death (True)² & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion starting July 2026, with participating theater locations available through GKIDS' official website.
The move reflects the enduring cultural grip of Hideaki Anno's landmark 1995 mecha-psychological anime series. These particular films represent the theatrical conclusion to the original run, offering fans restored versions of foundational texts that shaped anime as a medium. Death (True)² & Rebirth compressed the series' existential collapse into a feature-length recap, while The End of Evangelion delivered the controversial, introspective finale audiences demanded after the original series' abstract final episodes.
This revival screening strategy has become standard for cult anime properties seeking to monetize legacy content while introducing properties to new generations. GKIDS, known for distributing prestige animated features like Wolfwalkers and The Boy and the Heron, positions Evangelion within broader arthouse cinema circles rather than mainstream anime fandom alone. That positioning elevates the franchise beyond its otaku origins.
The 30th anniversary window offers GKIDS leverage during a period when theatrical anime screenings have proven commercially viable. Following successful limited runs of recent Evangelion Rebuild films and Studio Ghibli revivals, distributors recognize that passionate fanbase guarantees strong per-theater averages even in limited release.
For longtime Evangelion devotees, these screenings represent rare theatrical access to the original continuity outside digital platforms. For newcomers arriving via the recent Rebuild tetralogy or Netflix's series availability, the films provide canonical depth and historical context. GKIDS' decision to simultaneous-release both titles compressed into a festival structure creates