Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- somber
- eerie
- philosophical
- fantasy marathon
- quiet evening
What critics said
Critics found the film’s ecological and philosophical ambition, imagery, and music promising but judged its storytelling and animation uneven compared with other Studio Ghibli works.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The deteriorating land, disturbed natural order, and emergence of dragons connect the magical crisis to human hubris and environmental anxiety.
The plot explicitly revolves around the disruption of the balance between life and death and the consequences of denying mortality.
Arren’s fear, hatred, ruthlessness, and dark side give the witch Kumo an opening to turn him against those trying to help him.
The film emphasizes rustling fields, dragons, wizards, swords, and a formal visual atmosphere of mythic scale.
Films like Tales from Earthsea, and why
Princess Mononoke
mythic fantasy anime, ecological anxiety, and emotionally serious coming-of-age themes
Howl's Moving Castle
studio ghibli fantasy, magical worldbuilding, and a young protagonist confronting fear and moral darkness
The Last Unicorn
high fantasy animation centered on balance, mortality, and a troubled young hero
Children Who Chase Lost Voices
anime fantasy adventure with dragons, magic, and a somber atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Goro Miyazaki
- Release Date
- 2006-07-29
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (1541)
Cast
- Junichi Okada
- Aoi Teshima
- Bunta Sugawara
- Yuko Tanaka
- Teruyuki Kagawa
- Jun Fubuki
- Takashi Naito
- Mitsuko Baisho
- Yui Natsukawa
- Kaoru Kobayashi
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Tales from Earthsea about?
- A troubled prince and a wandering wizard confront a magical crisis that is unraveling the balance between humanity, nature, and death.
- What is Tales from Earthsea like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tales from Earthsea as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Tales from Earthsea violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Tales from Earthsea as mild.
- What did critics think of Tales from Earthsea?
- Critics found the film’s ecological and philosophical ambition, imagery, and music promising but judged its storytelling and animation uneven compared with other Studio Ghibli works.
- Which films are like Tales from Earthsea?
- Films with a similar feel include Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, The Last Unicorn, and Children Who Chase Lost Voices.
- How long is Tales from Earthsea?
- Tales from Earthsea runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tales from Earthsea?
- In United States, Tales from Earthsea streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
