← Back to results
Mary and The Witch's Flower
メアリと魔女の花
2017 103 min Japan PG 6+
★7.4
Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
🎭 Based on
«The Little Broomstick»
byMary Stewart
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
EN
Description
Mary Smith, a young girl who lives with her great-aunt in the countryside, follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest where she finds a strange flower and an old broom, none of which is as ordinary as it seems.
US Gross:
$2.42M
Worldwide:
$42.17M
Starring
Hana Sugisaki
Actor
Ryûnosuke Kamiki
Actor
Yûki Amami
Actor
Awards
8 nominations total
Key opinion
Mary and the Witch's Flower is widely praised for its lush, vibrant animation and atmospheric setting that captures a sense of fairy-tale wonder. However, opinions diverge sharply on its storytelling, with many critics labeling the plot derivative and thin compared to the works of Hayao Miyazaki, while others appreciate it as a charming and heartwarming family adventure.
| Cinematography | The animation is consistently praised for its luxurious visuals, vibrant color palette, and detailed, immersive environments. | |
| Originality | The film's connection to Studio Ghibli is a point of contention; some viewers enjoy the familiar aesthetic, while others criticize it as a hollow imitation that lacks the depth and innovation of Miyazaki's original works. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative and world-building are frequently criticized for being underdeveloped, featuring a passive protagonist, generic magical rules, and a rushed, forced plot progression. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing vary, as some viewers find the slow, contemplative tempo rewarding for the atmosphere, while others find the film boring and lacking emotional stakes. |