How to Watch The Boy and the Heron on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

The Boy and the Heron (2023) is currently available on Netflix in Singapore. The official Netflix Singapore page lists the Studio Ghibli animated fantasy directed by Hayao Miyazaki, with original Japanese audio, English dubbing, English subtitles, and offline downloads.

However, The Boy and the Heron is not currently available on Netflix US, where the movie streams on HBO Max. If you’re in the United States, you can try connecting to a Singapore VPN server using Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN. All three providers offer Singapore IP addresses.

Keep in mind that connecting to Singapore does not guarantee access to the movie. According to Netflix’s VPN guidelines, the service may recognize VPN connections and limit the available catalog to titles with worldwide licensing rights.

How to watch The Boy and the Heron on Netflix with a VPN

Since Netflix Singapore currently carries The Boy and the Heron, you can try connecting to a Singapore VPN server before opening Netflix. Follow these steps:

1. Choose a VPN. Private Internet Access is our first recommendation, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN application on your device.
3. Connect to a server in Singapore.
4. Fully close Netflix if it is already open.
5. Reopen Netflix after the VPN connects.
6. Sign in with your existing Netflix account.
7. Search for The Boy and the Heron.
8. Start playback if the movie appears.

Singapore is a suitable location to try because the Netflix Singapore listing displays the movie with Japanese and English audio, English subtitles, and offline downloads. JustWatch Singapore also identifies Netflix as a streaming provider for the film.

Make sure you select Hayao Miyazaki’s 2023 animated movie about Mahito, a young boy who follows a mysterious heron into a fantastical world. Netflix may still recognize your VPN connection and restrict access, even when the application indicates that you are connected to Singapore.

Best VPNs for watching The Boy and the Heron on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all provide Singapore VPN connections. PIA includes a dedicated streaming-optimized option, ExpressVPN offers several named locations within Singapore, and NordVPN maintains more than 70 Singapore servers.

VPN	Singapore locations	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	Singapore, SG Streaming Optimized	SG Streaming Optimized
ExpressVPN	Singapore – CBD, Singapore – Jurong, Singapore – Marina Bay	Singapore – CBD
NordVPN	70+ Singapore servers; automatic and individual server selection	Automatic Singapore server selection

These locations come from the providers’ official server directories. Although all three VPNs provide Singapore IP addresses, none guarantees access to The Boy and the Heron through Netflix.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is our Editor’s Choice for The Boy and the Heron because it offers a dedicated SG Streaming Optimized location alongside its standard Singapore VPN connection.

According to the official PIA server directory, updated October 1, 2026, the available Singapore locations include Singapore and SG Streaming Optimized.

Start with SG Streaming Optimized. PIA specifically designates this connection for streaming, making it a practical first option when using Singapore-based streaming services.

Open the PIA application, navigate to the VPN server list, and search for Singapore. Select SG Streaming Optimized and connect before reopening Netflix.

If The Boy and the Heron does not appear, disconnect and switch to the standard Singapore location. You can also reconnect to SG Streaming Optimized to try another available server associated with that location.

PIA’s application directory does not identify multiple separately selectable Singapore neighborhoods or cities. It lists the standard Singapore location and the dedicated streaming option instead.

The provider also distinguishes between physical and virtual VPN server locations. A virtual server provides an IP address associated with one country while its physical hardware operates in another.

According to PIA’s virtual server documentation, Singapore does not appear among the company’s published virtual IP locations.

PIA also identifies Singapore as a physical hosting location for virtual VPN services associated with several other Asian countries, including Hong Kong, India, and Indonesia.

These details confirm that PIA maintains physical server infrastructure in Singapore. However, its public documentation does not establish the exact hardware arrangement for every Singapore endpoint, including SG Streaming Optimized.

PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. WireGuard is a practical first option because its lightweight design can provide efficient encrypted connections, although performance depends on your device and network conditions.

If Netflix does not display the movie, try switching between SG Streaming Optimized and the standard Singapore location. Clearing cookies, changing protocols, or reconnecting may help with technical problems.

The provider offers additional instructions in its streaming support guide, including information about streaming-optimized locations and troubleshooting.

Even with a streaming-optimized connection, Netflix may recognize PIA’s IP addresses and restrict access to regional movies. PIA cannot guarantee that The Boy and the Heron will appear or play.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another option for connecting to Singapore. The provider maintains several Singapore server locations, giving users alternatives if one connection experiences problems.

The official ExpressVPN server directory currently lists Singapore – CBD, Singapore – Jurong, and Singapore – Marina Bay.

Start with Singapore – CBD. Open the ExpressVPN application, search for Singapore, and select CBD. Wait until the VPN confirms the connection before reopening Netflix.

If The Boy and the Heron does not appear, disconnect and try Marina Bay. Jurong provides another Singapore location if you need an alternative IP address.

These options allow you to test different Singapore connections without changing countries. Switching servers may help resolve connectivity problems or replace an IP address that Netflix recognizes as VPN traffic.

ExpressVPN supports Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN at its listed Singapore locations. Protocol availability may vary depending on the application and operating system.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s own protocol, designed to establish encrypted connections efficiently. If your connection becomes unstable, you can try another supported protocol through the application’s settings.

There is also an important distinction between physical and virtual server locations. Physical locations use server hardware in the country associated with the IP address, while virtual locations use hardware in another country.

According to ExpressVPN’s virtual server documentation, Singapore is not among its published virtual VPN locations.

Its regular Singapore connections therefore differ from virtual locations such as Indonesia and certain other Asian countries that use hardware hosted in Singapore while assigning an IP address from elsewhere.

ExpressVPN’s published information supports physical Singapore infrastructure, although it does not identify the exact hardware arrangements of every individual endpoint within CBD, Jurong, or Marina Bay.

If you experience buffering, try a different Singapore location or change to another supported VPN protocol. Actual connection performance depends on your internet service, server load, and network conditions.

If Netflix does not display The Boy and the Heron, switch between CBD, Marina Bay, and Jurong, then restart Netflix before searching again.

However, ExpressVPN cannot guarantee access to Netflix Singapore. Netflix may recognize its IP addresses as VPN traffic and limit access to titles licensed specifically for the country.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN provides another way to connect to Singapore, with more than 70 servers and automatic connection options.

According to NordVPN’s official Singapore server page, the provider currently advertises more than 70 Singapore servers.

For the first connection, open NordVPN, select Singapore, and allow the application to choose an available server automatically. This is a straightforward starting point if you do not have a preferred server.

You can also select an individual Singapore server through the application’s server list. If Netflix does not display The Boy and the Heron, disconnect and reconnect to another available server.

NordVPN’s official documentation explains that users can choose Singapore from the country list and then select a specific server when needed.

Unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN does not document separately selectable Singapore neighborhoods such as CBD, Jurong, or Marina Bay. Its publicly described options focus on the Singapore country location and individual server choices.

NordVPN’s advertised server count may change as the company expands or updates its network. Its official directory confirms Singapore IP support but does not establish the physical hosting arrangements of every individual server.

NordVPN also includes SmartPlay, a feature that combines VPN encryption with DNS technology to support secure streaming connections.

According to NordVPN’s SmartPlay documentation, the feature activates automatically when you connect through a NordVPN application.

You do not need to enable SmartPlay separately, install another extension, or change your DNS settings. It operates in the background as part of your regular VPN connection.

NordVPN also offers NordLynx, a protocol based on WireGuard technology that aims to provide efficient encrypted connections.

If you experience slow loading times or buffering, reconnecting to another Singapore server may help. Your actual streaming performance depends on your internet connection, distance from the server, and current network conditions.

However, SmartPlay does not guarantee access to The Boy and the Heron or any other region-specific Netflix movie. Netflix may still recognize NordVPN and restrict the available catalog.

What to do if The Boy and the Heron does not appear

If Netflix does not display The Boy and the Heron after you connect to Singapore, your browser may retain previous location information, or Netflix may have recognized the VPN connection. Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Close Netflix completely.
2. Disconnect from the VPN.
3. Reconnect to Singapore.
4. Try another server or location in the same country.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and your browser cache.
6. Open a private or incognito browser window.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in again.
8. Search for The Boy and the Heron.

Private Internet Access users should start with SG Streaming Optimized, followed by the standard Singapore location. ExpressVPN users can switch between CBD, Marina Bay, and Jurong. NordVPN users can reconnect automatically or select another individual Singapore server.

Make sure you search for The Boy and the Heron (2023), directed by Hayao Miyazaki. You may also encounter the Japanese title Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka or How Do You Live?, which is associated with the same movie.

Check that you are selecting the animated Studio Ghibli film rather than Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron (2024), a documentary about its production.

If the movie still does not appear, Netflix may be restricting its catalog because of VPN detection. The Netflix missing titles guide explains other possible causes, including regional licensing changes, maturity restrictions, and language preferences.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN changes the public IP address Netflix sees when your device connects to the service. For example, connecting to a Singapore VPN server generally gives Netflix a Singapore IP address instead of your regular US address.

However, a Singapore IP address does not guarantee access to the country’s Netflix catalog. Netflix may recognize that the connection comes from a VPN provider and limit which movies and shows appear.

According to Netflix’s official VPN support page, users connecting through a VPN may only see movies and shows for which Netflix holds worldwide distribution rights.

That means The Boy and the Heron may remain unavailable in your Netflix search results even when your VPN application shows Singapore as the connected country.

Trying another Singapore server may resolve some connection problems, but Netflix can still restrict regional playback. No VPN provider guarantees access to every Netflix catalog.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix currently states that its ad-supported experience does not support VPN connections.

If you subscribe to Netflix with ads, you may encounter playback errors or VPN-related restrictions when connecting through Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN.

Netflix confirms this limitation in its VPN support documentation. To use an ad-supported subscription normally, disconnect your VPN.

An ad-free Netflix subscription avoids this particular restriction, but Netflix may still detect VPN connections and limit access to region-specific movies.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to a Singapore VPN server does not change your Netflix email address, password, profiles, or existing account credentials.

The VPN changes the public IP address Netflix sees. It does not automatically convert your US Netflix subscription into a Singapore account or modify your subscription information.

You can continue signing in with your existing Netflix credentials. However, the movies and shows Netflix displays may depend on regional licensing restrictions, account settings, and whether the service recognizes your VPN connection.

Current US streaming listings for The Boy and the Heron identify HBO Max and HBO Max Amazon Channel rather than Netflix. These services provide alternatives for watching the movie without changing your VPN location.

When you disconnect from the VPN, Netflix generally recognizes your regular internet location again without changing your account settings.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access is our first recommendation because it offers a dedicated SG Streaming Optimized location alongside its standard Singapore connection. These give users two documented server options to try, although Netflix may still detect the VPN.

ExpressVPN is a useful alternative thanks to its Singapore locations in CBD, Jurong, and Marina Bay. NordVPN also offers more than 70 Singapore servers and includes SmartPlay, which activates automatically when you connect.

Netflix Singapore currently lists The Boy and the Heron (2023), making Singapore the selected international region for this guide. However, licensing agreements, VPN detection, and server availability can change, so connecting to Singapore does not guarantee playback from the United States.