Howl's Moving Castle

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Howl's Moving Castle

PG

2005

1h 59m

Fantasy

Anime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

185 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

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.

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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.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

03/13/2018

Howl's Moving Castle has the logic of a dream: behind every door lie multiple realities, one more astonishing than the next.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

12/08/2014

[Miyazaki] may have made better films than Howl's Moving Castle, but it still exhibits his amazing imagination and astonishing detail.

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John Lyttle

New Statesman

12/08/2014

Howl's Moving Castle is Japanese and anime, and therefore automatically more artistic than its US counterparts. The right cultural cachet gives you a lot of leeway.

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Adele Campisi

Loud and Clear Reviews

07/05/2025

5/5

Hayao Miyazaki’s endeavour to achieve perfection and attention to detail find their apex in Howl’s Moving Castle, Studio Ghibli’s most eccentric and intense masterpiece.

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Lisa Laman

Culturess

10/07/2024

Howl's Moving Castle's blending of 2D animation and CG firmly solidifies it as a mid-2000s hand-drawn animated affair.

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Mary Kassel

Screen Rant

10/02/2024

4.5/5

20 years later, Howl's Moving Castle is still a thrilling and gorgeous addition to Miyazaki's filmography and will continue to connect with viewers.

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Geraldine H

Dec 18

It was awesome finally seeing this in the theaters! One of my favorites, and the story about growing out of your fears to face life.

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Obito Uchiha

Nov 18

Can’t wait for the 30yr anniversary

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Idget58

Nov 17

definitely one of my favorite movies. If you disagree then may all your bacon burn😁

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Facebook U

Nov 17

Awesome Movie of all time amazing storyline I recommend this movie big-time. This was a worth that movie.

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gabryela

Oct 29

great story and animation

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Hailee P

Oct 25

“There you are sweetheart,” it makes me melt every time. I took my fiancé to see this for his first time in re-watching it in a very long time and I’m so glad we got to experience this together. This is one of my favorite Ghibli movies and the music is perfect as always.

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Hayao Miyazaki

Director

Jean Simmons

Old Sophie

Christian Bale

Howl

Lauren Bacall

Witch of the Waste

Blythe Danner

Madam Suliman

Emily Mortimer

Young Sophie

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Rick Dempsey, Toshio Suzuki, Ned Lott
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co: Studio Ghibli
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2005, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Sep 20, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.7M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)