← Back to results
Spirited Away
千と千尋の神隠し
2001 125 min Japan PG 12+
★9.3
Animation, Family, Fantasy
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Teaser
Description
A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family.
Budget:
$19M
US Gross:
$14.82M
Worldwide:
$274.93M
Starring
Miyu Irino
Actor
Rumi Hiiragi
Actor
Mari Natsuki
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2003
— Best Animated Feature
Academy Awards 2003
— Best Animated Feature
Berlin International Film Festival 2002
— Golden Bear
César Awards 2003
— Best International Feature Film
Berlin International Film Festival 2002
— Golden Bear
European Film Awards 2002
— Screen International Award
BAFTA 2004
— Best International Feature Film
Saturn Awards 2003
— Best Screenplay
Key opinion
Spirited Away is widely hailed as a transcendent animated masterpiece that balances a surreal, richly detailed fantasy world with a poignant coming-of-age narrative. While most viewers are captivated by its emotional depth and artistry, a minority find its grotesque imagery or specific stylistic choices initially off-putting or narratively incomplete.
| Score | Joe Hisaishi's evocative score creates a profound sense of harmony and emotional resonance that perfectly complements the film's atmosphere. | |
| Theme | The film masterfully depicts Chihiro’s maturation, grounding the fantastical premise in a relatable journey of resilience, self-discovery, and loss of fear. | |
| Production | Miyazaki constructs a remarkably immersive and consistent world that blends folklore with unique, imaginative creature designs. | |
| Cinematography | The animation features a high level of fluidity and detail that remains visually impressive and timeless years after its release. | |
| Production | Opinions on the visual style are divided; while many praise the artistry, some viewers are initially repelled by specific anime character design choices or the grotesque nature of the spirit world. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative's structure draws mixed reactions; supporters see it as a multilayered fairy tale, while critics argue the ending feels abrupt or the central romance remains unconvincing. |