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Castle in the Sky

Play trailer 0:30 Poster for Castle in the Sky PG 1989 2h 4m Fantasy Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Young orphan Sheeta and her kidnapper, Col. Muska, are flying to a military prison when their plane is attacked by a gang of air pirates led by the matronly Dola. Escaping from a mid-air collision via a magic crystal around her neck, Sheeta meets fellow orphan Pazu and the pair join forces to discover the mystical floating city of Laputa while pursued by both Muska and the pirates, who lust for the city's myriad treasures.
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Castle in the Sky

Castle in the Sky

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Critics Consensus

With a storytelling palette as rich and brilliant as its animation, Castle in the Sky thrillingly encapsulates Studio Ghibli's unique strengths.

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Critics Reviews

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Caryn James New York Times Liable to strain the patience of adults and the attention spans of children. Aug 30, 2004 Full Review Richard Harrington Washington Post Frequently astounding. Mar 7, 2002 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Miyazaki’s characters feel tangible and human, his action scenes ripe with energy, and his film’s design, as always, abundantly imaginative. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 31, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A terrific adventure yarn. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 22, 2021 Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews Castle in the Sky is a good enough film to benefit from multiple viewings. And, for anyone unfamiliar with Miyazaki's canon, it provides a great introduction to a wonderfully rich animated catalog. Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 24, 2020 Full Review Chris Ludovici The Spool [S]ometimes a fun adventure in a unique, thrilling environment is all you need. Jan 18, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Waniya S This has such a great message and it was so cute. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/28/25 Full Review Johann D. M 🇯🇵 This 1986 animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, follows two orphans, Sheeta and Pazu, as they are pursued by a government agent, the military, and a band of pirates. All are after Sheeta’s crystal amulet, the key to reaching Laputa, a legendary flying castle brimming with advanced technology. At its heart, this is a deeply environmentalist tale, reflecting on humanity’s relationship with nature and technology through a retrofuturistic steampunk lens. Miyazaki’s lifelong fascination with flight is as present as ever, showcased in the many fantastical flying machines that populate the film. The haunting, magical script is a joy to experience, thanks to its strong, original narrative and vividly drawn characters. And, true to Miyazaki tradition, a creature we cannot help but adore also makes its appearance—this time in the form of a gentle yet powerful robot guardian. Visually imaginative and richly detailed, the film is a true feast for the eyes, elevated even further by Joe Hisaishi’s enchanting score. Also, it is Studio Ghibli’s first official feature!! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/22/25 Full Review Ethan O. Another beautiful film. Not my favorite Ghibli film but definitely a must watch! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/14/25 Full Review Lucas O Rating: 84%. The animation of this film is great for its time and still holds up well today. I think the voice acting and music were great helping contribute to the film's message. The dialogue was solid and the story kept me entertained. What I didn't like about this film was at times it was a bit too Looney Tunes-ish/goofy for me. It didn't exceed my expectations, but I still think it had a great message and a great story. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/30/25 Full Review I Am F Story is very thin and I am not interested in Laputa, which you know what it means in Spanish. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/06/25 Full Review Jens B In the absence of humans, everything improves. Even structures once created by humans, such as a floating city in the sky, can become a place of life and harmony. Once the creators of these worlds are no longer visible. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/28/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Castle in the Sky

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Cast & Crew

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Hayao Miyazaki

Director

Anna Paquin

Sheeta

James Van Der Beek

Pazu

Cloris Leachman

Dola

Mark Hamill

Muska

Mandy Patinkin

Louis
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Castle in the Sky

Castle in the Sky - Studio Ghibli Fest 2018: Fathom Events Trailer Castle in the Sky - Studio Ghibli Fest 2018: Fathom Events Trailer 0:30 View more videos
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Castle in the Sky

Poster Art Castle in the Sky (1986) A scene from "Castle in the Sky." A scene from "Castle in the Sky." A scene from "Castle in the Sky." Castle in the Sky (1986) Castle in the Sky (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Young orphan Sheeta and her kidnapper, Col. Muska, are flying to a military prison when their plane is attacked by a gang of air pirates led by the matronly Dola. Escaping from a mid-air collision via a magic crystal around her neck, Sheeta meets fellow orphan Pazu and the pair join forces to discover the mystical floating city of Laputa while pursued by both Muska and the pirates, who lust for the city's myriad treasures.
Director
Hayao Miyazaki
Producer
Isao Takahata
Screenwriter
Hayao Miyazaki, John Semper
Distributor
Streamline Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Studio Ghibli
Rating
PG (Peril|Fantasy Action Violence)
Genre
Fantasy, Anime
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 1, 1989, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
May 20, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 18, 2019
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Dolby
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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