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Grave of the Fireflies

Play trailer 1:43 Poster for Grave of the Fireflies Now Playing 1h 28m Drama War Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
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A devastating meditation on the human cost of war, this animated tale follows Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi), a teenager charged with the care of his younger sister, Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi), after an American firebombing during World War II separates the two children from their parents. Their tale of survival is as heartbreaking as it is true to life. The siblings rely completely on each other and struggle against all odds to stay together and stay alive.
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Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies

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Critics Consensus

An achingly sad anti-war film, Grave of the Fireflies is one of Studio Ghibli's most profoundly beautiful, haunting works.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Kempenaar Filmspotting It’s one thing to have a film really sadden you, but I also found it sublime in its beauty... [Setsuko and Seita's] happiness together is transcendent. Rated: 5/5 Dec 7, 2022 Full Review Glenn Kenny New York Times One of the most startling and moving animated films ever. Jan 3, 2019 Full Review Chris Cabin Slant Magazine Isao Takahata makes survival the thematic core of the story, but he never degrades his characters or fetishizes their suffering. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 30, 2018 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins It’s a dark, depressing, occasionally beautiful experiment in telling an important story, but it doesn’t do so in an indelible manner; it’s historic, tragic, and sad, yet far from unforgettable. Rated: 6/10 Aug 23, 2025 Full Review Ben Sherlock Screen Rant Grave of the Fireflies' story of two children living through the horrors of World War II isn't easy to watch, but it's a movie everyone should see. Rated: 10/10 Aug 11, 2025 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy It is indeed magnificent. But it’s also among the most depressing movies I have ever seen, ranking alongside Italy’s Bicycle Thieves, New Zealand’s Once Were Warriors, the U.S.’s Requiem for a Dream, Russia’s Come and See, and Sweden’s Lilya 4-ever. Rated: 4/4 Jul 15, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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V Your eyes will be blurry from start to finish. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/22/25 Full Review Will The best experience I've had in theaters in quite a while honestly. Cried multiple times throughout the movie along with others in the theater. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/18/25 Full Review Christopher I’m glad I saw it but I don’t want to see it again. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/15/25 Full Review Stella I thought this film deeply, beautifully and sensitively portrayed the horror of WWII in Japan, from children's perspectives. My friends and I loved it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/15/25 Full Review Renee B This was a very different (difficult) experience, when compared with the more recent Ghibli movies, but still such a powerful and beautiful message depictedwhile mortality is challenging and eventually will require every human to transition beyond the veil, there is incredible beauty possible if we choose to see and experience it. There is purification of character and beauty from ashes. possible in the most demanding of lifes challenges. Wonderful character development depicted herein through these characters, as they faced each daythere was hope even in the hopelessness Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/25 Full Review Andrea D Gorgeous yet devastating. The animation quality is excellent as is expected but the story itself is brutal, but extremely important. Everyone should see it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Grave of the Fireflies

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Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies: Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 Grave of the Fireflies: Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 0:41 View more videos

Movie Info

Synopsis A devastating meditation on the human cost of war, this animated tale follows Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi), a teenager charged with the care of his younger sister, Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi), after an American firebombing during World War II separates the two children from their parents. Their tale of survival is as heartbreaking as it is true to life. The siblings rely completely on each other and struggle against all odds to stay together and stay alive.
Director
Isao Takahata
Producer
Toru Hara
Screenwriter
Isao Takahata, Akiyuki Nosaka
Production Co
Studio Ghibli
Genre
Drama, War, Anime
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 8, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 28, 2014
Runtime
1h 28m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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