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Howl's Moving Castle

Play trailer Poster for Howl's Moving Castle PG 2005 1h 59m Fantasy Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 185 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Sophie (Emily Mortimer) has an uneventful life at her late father's hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends wizard Howl (Christian Bale), who lives in a magical flying castle. However, the evil Witch of Waste (Lauren Bacall) takes issue with their budding relationship and casts a spell on young Sophie, which ages her prematurely. Now Howl must use all his magical talents to battle the jealous hag and return Sophie to her former youth and beauty.
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Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle

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Critics Consensus

Exquisitely illustrated by master animator Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Howl's Moving Castle has the logic of a dream: behind every door lie multiple realities, one more astonishing than the next. Mar 13, 2018 Full Review Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard [Miyazaki] may have made better films than Howl's Moving Castle, but it still exhibits his amazing imagination and astonishing detail. Dec 8, 2014 Full Review John Lyttle New Statesman Howl's Moving Castle is Japanese and anime, and therefore automatically more artistic than its US counterparts. The right cultural cachet gives you a lot of leeway. Dec 8, 2014 Full Review Adele Campisi Loud and Clear Reviews Hayao Miyazaki’s endeavour to achieve perfection and attention to detail find their apex in Howl’s Moving Castle, Studio Ghibli’s most eccentric and intense masterpiece. Rated: 5/5 Jul 5, 2025 Full Review Lisa Laman Culturess Howl's Moving Castle's blending of 2D animation and CG firmly solidifies it as a mid-2000s hand-drawn animated affair. Oct 7, 2024 Full Review Mary Kassel Screen Rant 20 years later, Howl's Moving Castle is still a thrilling and gorgeous addition to Miyazaki's filmography and will continue to connect with viewers. Rated: 4.5/5 Oct 2, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Laynee This is my favorite Studio Ghibli film!!! Such a great story, and the characters are beautifully written. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/20/25 Full Review Peighton this movie is a MUST watch. Studio Ghibli in general is a must watch. I love going to the fest every fall, and ill continue to do so. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Ron R A heartwarming story about the love between a cursed shopkeeper/cleaner and a whimsical sorcerer, set against a backdrop of a useless war. Along for the ride is a friendly fire daemon, Calcifer, who is the power behind the moving castle of the title. Additionally, multiple viewings reveal a time-travel component. I'll see it again and again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Abenet I really enjoyed the movie and the animations goes without saying. But I didn’t quite understand most of the meaning behind the movie so I dropped at star from the ratings. The movie is very deep don’t get me wrong, but there are some parts that didn’t make sense to me. I may need to watch it again Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Rebecca This is our favorite Ghibli movie. We own it at home & still enjoy it on the big screen every year. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review HamPamwich this movie has been my favorite for most of my life and getting to see it on the big screen with my family was like a cherry on top. this movie is so good and makes you feel things, it can make you laugh and cry. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Howl's Moving Castle

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Cast & Crew

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Hayao Miyazaki

Director

Jean Simmons

Old Sophie

Christian Bale

Howl

Lauren Bacall

Witch of the Waste

Blythe Danner

Madam Suliman

Emily Mortimer

Young Sophie
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Howl's Moving Castle

Poster Art Howl's Moving Castle (2004) A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. Howl's Moving Castle (2004) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Sophie (Emily Mortimer) has an uneventful life at her late father's hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends wizard Howl (Christian Bale), who lives in a magical flying castle. However, the evil Witch of Waste (Lauren Bacall) takes issue with their budding relationship and casts a spell on young Sophie, which ages her prematurely. Now Howl must use all his magical talents to battle the jealous hag and return Sophie to her former youth and beauty.
Director
Hayao Miyazaki
Producer
Rick Dempsey, Toshio Suzuki, Ned Lott
Screenwriter
Hayao Miyazaki
Distributor
Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co
Studio Ghibli
Rating
PG
Genre
Fantasy, Anime
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 10, 2005, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Sep 20, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 15, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.7M
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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