Howl's Moving Castle

What’s it about?

Sophie's simple life is turned upside-down when she is turned into a 90-year-old woman by the spiteful Witch of the Waste. She leaves her old life behind and ventures into the waste to search for a way to break her curse. With the help of some unlikely friends, she meets along the way, Sophie faces an even bigger threat – war.

The facts

• Directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro)
• Japanese language or English dub
• Runtime: 119 minutes
• Based on 1986 novel Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
• Animated film by Studio Ghibli (Ponyo, Princess Mononoke)
• Starring voice acting by Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer and Billy Crystal

Why did it get this rating?

This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Violence and horror

War scenes includes bombs dropping and explosions. In an early scene two soldiers intimidate a female character. Blob-like figures chase after characters. A character turns into winged monsters and others are referred to as “demons”. While the film is animated some imagery may be scary for younger viewers.

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Kiki’s Delivery Service guide
• Spirited Away guide
• Ponyo guide
• The Wind Rises guide
• Whisper of the Heart guide
• Porco Rosso guide
• Castle in the Sky guide