Howl's Moving Castle (2024)

2004, Fantasy/Anime, 1h 59m

184 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

Critics Consensus

Exquisitely illustrated by master animator Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well. Read critic reviews

Porco Rosso

Castle in the Sky

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Pom Poko

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

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Howl's Moving Castle Photos

Poster Art

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki.

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

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Movie Info

Sophie (Emily Mortimer) has an uneventful life at her late father's hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends wizard Howl (Christian Bale), who lives in a magical flying castle. However, the evil Witch of Waste (Lauren Bacall) takes issue with their budding relationship and casts a spell on young Sophie, which ages her prematurely. Now Howl must use all his magical talents to battle the jealous hag and return Sophie to her former youth and beauty.

Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2005 wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.7M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Studio Ghibli
Sound Mix: SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Jean Simmons

Old Sophie Voice

Christian Bale

Howl Voice

Lauren Bacall

Witch of the Waste Voice

Blythe Danner

Madam Suliman Voice

Emily Mortimer

Young Sophie Voice

Josh Hutcherson

Markl Voice

Billy Crystal

Calcifer Voice

Hayao Miyazaki

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Screenwriter

Toshio Suzuki

Producer

Joe Hisaishi

Original Music

Youmi Kimura

Original Music

Takeshi Seyama

Film Editing

Kazuhiro Wakabayashi

Sound

Chieko Baishô

Singer

Joe Hisaishi

Music Arranger

Katsuya Kondô

Animation Supervisor

Shuntaro Tanikawa

Lyricist

Critic Reviews for Howl's Moving Castle

All Critics (184) | Top Critics (60) | Fresh (160) | Rotten (24)

Full Review… David Ansen Newsweek

Full Review… Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard

Full Review… John Lyttle New Statesman

Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian

Full Review… David Stratton At the Movies (Australia)

Full Review… Sam Adams Philadelphia City Paper

Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review

Full Review… Jordan Brooks Vague Visages

Full Review… Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast

Full Review… Matt Brunson Film Frenzy

Full Review… Mattie Lucas The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

Full Review… Eddie Harrison The List

View All Critic Reviews (184)

Audience Reviews for Howl's Moving Castle

Mar 21, 2021

Miyazaki emphasizes different narrative elements than most fantasy films of this kind (hence why the "missing prince" plot twist is treated like an afterthought) but this isn't a cheap attempt to subvert expectations rather he's focusing on character growth at the expense of silly plot mechanics which makes his anti war plea more effective.

Super Reviewer
Oct 18, 2020

Fans of the book "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell" will love this film.

Super Reviewer
Apr 10, 2016

More imaginative than a barrel of monkeys, the story here is secondary to the execution, and the story is better than most by far. A fairytale, yes, but for young and old. Don't allow naysayers to put you off.

kevin w Super Reviewer
Feb 14, 2016

An excellent film, and one of Miyazaki's absolute best. This is a masterpiece of an animated film, and is so much fun to watch. I love this movie.

Stephen S Super Reviewer

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