Overview
A heartwarming tale of friendship and magic unfolds in the countryside, where two sisters discover a world of wonder.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- whimsical
- comforting
- gentle
- family movie night
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Hayao Miyazaki’s film as a beautifully hand-drawn, emotionally authentic classic of childhood wonder, praised for atmosphere, animation, and its conflict-light storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Satsuki and Mei encounter Totoros, the Catbus, and other forest beings through an imaginative child-centered perspective.
The rural house, village routines, hospital visits, and forest spirits are presented with rich observational realism and gentle fantasy.
The sisters’ adventures with the Totoros unfold through discovery and emotional experience instead of battles or a conventional villain.
The forest and its magical inhabitants become central companions in the children’s adjustment to a new rural home and their mother’s hospitalization.
Films like My Neighbor Totoro, and why
Spirited Away
shared hand-drawn fantasy, childhood wonder, nature spirituality, and gentle emotional warmth
Ponyo
shared studio ghibli animation, young protagonists, magical creatures, and imaginative coming-of-age themes
The Secret World of Arrietty
shared family fantasy, rural environments, childlike adventure, and benevolent supernatural encounters
Kiki's Delivery Service
shared animated fantasy, sibling-centered family drama, and comforting exploration of a magical natural world
Movie Details
- Director
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Release Date
- 1988-04-16
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Rating
- 8.1 / 10 (9115)
Cast
- Noriko Hidaka
- Chika Sakamoto
- Hitoshi Takagi
- Shigesato Itoi
- Sumi Shimamoto
- Tanie Kitabayashi
- Toshiyuki Amagasa
- Yuko Maruyama
- Masashi Hirose
- Reiko Suzuki
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, Plex
- 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 My Neighbor Totoro about?
- Two sisters find wonder, companionship, and reassurance among the benevolent forest spirits surrounding their new countryside home.
- What is My Neighbor Totoro like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of My Neighbor Totoro as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is My Neighbor Totoro violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in My Neighbor Totoro.
- What did critics think of My Neighbor Totoro?
- Critics broadly regard Hayao Miyazaki’s film as a beautifully hand-drawn, emotionally authentic classic of childhood wonder, praised for atmosphere, animation, and its conflict-light storytelling.
- Which films are like My Neighbor Totoro?
- Films with a similar feel include Spirited Away, Ponyo, The Secret World of Arrietty, and Kiki's Delivery Service.
- How long is My Neighbor Totoro?
- My Neighbor Totoro runs 86 minutes.
- Where can I watch My Neighbor Totoro?
- In United States, My Neighbor Totoro streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
