Bunta Sugawara, Daveigh Chase, David Ogden Stiers

Tale of the fanciful adventures of a ten-year-old girl named Chihiro, who discovers a secret world when she and her family get lost and venture through a hillside tunnel. When her parents undergo a my...( read more  read more... )sterious transformation, Chihiro must fend for herself as she encounters strange spirits, assorted creatures and a grumpy sorceress who seeks to prevent her from returning to the human world.

Flixster Users

95% liked it

284,578 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

154 critics

PG, 2 hrs. 4 min.

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki

Release Date: September 20, 2001

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DVD Release Date: April 15, 2003

Stats: 24,695 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (24,695)


  • November 8, 2009
    Hayao Miyazaki has once again proven his genius in this absolutely enchanting masterpiece. There's few words to describe the majesty of this secret world with these strange character creatures and bizarre rules.
    Review Pending*
  • September 17, 2009
    This was my first Miyazaki/Ghibli experience and it blow me away! Who needs all the Finding Nemo type computer graphics when all you really need is a good story. Not that the animation is bad you understand, it?s beautiful in its simplicity but also striking in its detail. A mast...( read more)erpiece!
  • September 1, 2009
    It's easy to see why this film has such a huge fan-base. Personally, I prefer the realism of anime like Grave of the Fireflies over whimsical fantasies but it would be difficult to watch Spirited Away and not be completely taken in. Definitely an impressive work o...( read more)f art.
  • August 6, 2009
    Chihiro: Daddy, are we lost?
    Chihiro's Father: Don't worry, I've got four-wheel drive.

    Another wonderful film from Japanese animator/writer/director Hayao Miyazaki. Here is a story about a little girl that in some way resembles Alice in Wonderland in its basic structure, but is...( read more) completely separate in other aspects, as this is a completely fresh and original world, full of wonderful animation, intriguing character design, and a very good score.

    While moving to a new home in Japan, Chihiro and her parents take a wrong turn down a mysterious wooded path. They come across an ominous-looking tunnel of which only Chihiro is scared. Going through the tunnel, they are lead them to a mysterious town filled with restaurants that have all kinds of delicious food on display. Chihiro's parents quickly sit down and start gorging themselves, assuming they will pay the restaurant upon their return. Chihiro's doubt of this strange town leads her to wander off, and she comes across a building of titanic size, where a young boy warns her to leave before nightfall. However, as the sun sets, the town begins to fill up with the gods of Japan's mythology, and Chihiro returns to find her parents mysteriously turned into pigs. The young boy, Haku, works in the building, which is a bathhouse for 8 Million gods. He helps Chihiro find work in this new world, find a way to save her parents from a dinner platter, and find her way home.

    I watched this film with the U.S. audio track, which thanks to John Lassetter of Pixar, was watched over carefully to preserve the same spirit and emotion of the original Japanese audio, and while I can't say that it matches (although I've been assured it does) I was completely absorbed into the world and characters in this film.

    It certainly helps that the designs, colors, and backgrounds are all gorgeous. Once again working almost exclusively with hand drawn images, this is a wonderfully personal film that is beautiful throughout.

    The one problem that remains is a slightly flabby middle section that slows the film a bit. Still, all the work put into this film shows, as it is a great work of imagination.

    Zeniba: I'm sorry my sister turned you parents into pigs, but there's nothing I can do. Its just the way things are. You'll have to help your parents and Haku by yourself. Use what you remember about them.
    Chihiro: What? Can't you please give me more help than that? It feels like I met Haku, but it was a long time ago...
    Zeniba: That's a good start! Once you've met someone you never really forget them. It just takes a while for your memories to return.
  • April 17, 2009
    Can't say i love this as much as everyone else, Nausicaa is still my all time favorite from Miyazaki/Ghibli, but don't get me wrong, still a good film but nothing i will remember in the future. A shame that many people started to know about Miyazaki just until know, but it's neve...( read more)r too late.
  • November 20, 2009
    WOW...I was moved at the end of the film ..is Entertainment,emotions,morals,..it has it all...Like chihiro i would miss all the people from the Bath House...
  • November 20, 2009
    This Movie Was The First Anime Movie I Watched And I still Love IT
  • November 19, 2009
    Awesome Disney movie. Great imagination too.
  • November 15, 2009
    the best japeness movie in the world
  • November 14, 2009
    another masterpiece from hayao miyazaki.
    full of imagination and unexpected story!

Critic Reviews


August 14, 2007
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Think you're too hip for Japanese anime about a lost ten-year-old girl whose parents turn into snorting pigs? Get over it. full review

September 20, 2002
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Even though Disney released this film, Spirited Away points up just how by-the-numbers the studio's fare can be. full review

September 20, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is one of the year's best films. full review

September 19, 2002
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

The film is not recommended for toddlers and easily frightened little tykes. But for everyone else, kid or grown-up, this thrilling foray into magical realms is a must. full review

August 20, 2002
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

Wow. full review

View more Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi) reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • RayWhom
    May 31, 2009
    This scared me so bad. i was little when I saw it.
  • kristyann1
    November 22, 2008
    Scary, but good!!!
  • shayna26143
    November 18, 2008
    I seen almost the whole thing but not all of it but the next day a bird flew in my house and it looked like that bird guy on the movie but when I seen the bird it scared me really bad
  • girlkramer
    June 25, 2008
    haghaha
    best movie in the world
  • prettydancergirl13
    May 27, 2008
    I love this movie. It's a great romance/comedy/adventure.... whatever it is, it's amazing.
  • chibimina7
    April 3, 2008
    I love this movie soooo much! My favorite from Miyazaki! I always hold my breath with Chihiro when she first crossed the bridge with Haku. hehe. I wonder what happened to Haku after the movie...
  • GymNetic25
    March 31, 2008
    This has got to be hands down so far my favorite Miyazaki film. I def could watch this again and again. It also was superb that they didn't use the voice's of american actors. I could say so much about this film but I am going to not and let you enjoy this wonderful film.
    5 stars WAY UP!!!
  • GreenX33
    March 26, 2008
    NICE SHOW!!!
    watching this show can make pple cry man
  • mynameismaria
    February 5, 2008
    The best anime movie eveeeer<3 I got all the studio ghiblins movie but this one is the best I think, haven't watched all but got them in a box :) BEST BEST BEST! so cute. <33 Studio ghiblin forever.!!!!!!!!!
  • mizzy1995
    January 18, 2008
    wow,i love the name chihyro(dont know how to spell it so don't blame me) if you like anime comedy then watch full metal panic,it's really good

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi) Trivia

Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no ... Trivia


  • In this movie, parents become pigs, a girl loses her name, and radishes have spirits.  Answer »
  • Which of the following films was originally called "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" in Japanese?  Answer »
  • Which Hayao Miyazaki film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film (2002)?  Answer »
  • The Japanese film "Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi", about a girl who's parents have been turned into pigs, and must escape the bath house she has been put to work in to save them, is better known in the Western world as what?  Answer »

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