Castle in the Sky

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Castle in the Sky

PG

In Theaters Aug 22

2h 4m

Fantasy

Anime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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 midair 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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In Theaters Aug 22

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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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Hayao Miyazaki

Director

Anna Paquin

Sheeta

James Van Der Beek

Pazu

Cloris Leachman

Dola

Mark Hamill

Muska

Mandy Patinkin

Louis

Caryn James

New York Times

08/30/2004

Liable to strain the patience of adults and the attention spans of children.

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Richard Harrington

Washington Post

03/07/2002

Frequently astounding.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

07/31/2023

3.5/4

Miyazaki’s characters feel tangible and human, his action scenes ripe with energy, and his film’s design, as always, abundantly imaginative.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

09/22/2021

3.5/4

A terrific adventure yarn.

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

04/24/2020

3.5/4

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.

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Chris Ludovici

The Spool

01/18/2020

[S]ometimes a fun adventure in a unique, thrilling environment is all you need.

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James E

@JamesE167 2d

Easily one of Ghiblis best, proving they’ve had a knack for magical storytelling since the beginning.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 5

The worldwide gross is $7,027,247.00.

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Emmett F

@emmettflorence Jun 22

Peak 80s anime. It couldn't be more perfect.

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Josiah C

@JosiahCosgrove Apr 22

A pretty good film, I hadn't seen much from Studio Ghilbi but if the others are better than this I'm sure that I won't be disappointed! The music and colors of the film are absolutely legendary!

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Beck H

@RT92492572 Apr 12

All I have to say is that Castle in the Sky is a nice, well thought-out , well-executed, well -animated movie; but a word of warning: if you watch it to many times YOU WILL get tired of watching it, I promise.

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Allisandra G.

@RT46255434 Mar 15

While the art style was phenomenal, as expected, the underlying themes felt less defined. The film could have benefited from a stronger emphasis on humanity’s relationship with nature and technology.

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Castle in the Sky - Studio Ghibli Fest 2018: Fathom Events Trailer

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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 midair 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: Buena Vista Pictures, Streamline 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): Aug 22, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 18, 2019
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)