My Neighbors the Yamadas

My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

  • 67% of critics liked it
    (6 reviews)

  • 77% of users liked it
    (5,368 ratings)

Based on a wildly popular Japanese comic strip, master animator Isao Takahata directs this loosely structured work about that wacky household, the Yamadas. The family consists of laid-back, rice cracker-addicted mother Matsuko; the bland businessman father Takashi, who has illusions of machismo; the… More

PG, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By
Isao Takahata
Written By
Hisaichi Ishii, Isao Takahata
Genres
Drama, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD
Aug 16, 2005

Critic Reviews

  • Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media

    Quirky animated comedy follows a family's ups and downs.

  • Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

    For all that they are cartoons, the Yamadas never court buffoonery... In fact, it's surprisingly observational, based in the way that people honestly act and feel.

  • David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

    ...the movie would be best served by a viewing in separate installments.

  • Michael Szymanski, International Press Academy

    It's far more wacky than anything you'd seen in the Sunday comics.

  • Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

    Fluffy as a French pastry and almost as cloyingly sweet.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jan Marc M


    A chronicle of the Yamada Japanese family, My Neighbors The Yamadas is a coarse, but creative animation output from Studio Ghibli that fragmentary narrates the comical encounters of the members of the Yamada family. A satire of the relevant in marriage, family, and contemporary… More

  • Matthew Y


    One of the biggest dilemmas in reviewing films is reviewing a movie knowing you are not the target audience. My Neighbors the Yamadas is a slow and painful watch for an adult, but adults are not the audience The Yamadas are shooting for. They're going for a very young audience,… More

  • Marion R


    This reminds me of the "funny pages" from the newspaper, 3 comic panels which are suppose to elicit laughter, but in fact leaves you thinking, 'who the fuck thinks this is funny?'. That is exactly what this film was like a much of short panels that I assume were… More

  • Ivan D


    Isao Takahata's "My Neighbors the Yamadas" is the complete opposite of his well-known masterpiece "Grave of the Fireflies". It dealt with common family trials and presenting it to us audiences with humorously light-hearted touch. And while "Grave of the… More

More Like This

facebook_logo

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

  • Discover movies your friends are watching
  • Keep track of what you want to see
  • Add your reviews to your Timeline