The Boy and the Heron

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The Boy and the Heron

PG-13

Released Dec 8, 2023

2h 4m

Fantasy

Adventure

Anime

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96%

Tomatometer

268 Reviews

88%

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1,000+ Verified Ratings

From the legendary Studio Ghibli and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) comes a new critically-acclaimed fantasy adventure. After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family's estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito's new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself.

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Critics Consensus

Soulfully exploring thought-provoking themes through a beautifully animated lens, The Boy and the Heron is another Miyazaki masterpiece.

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Audience Says

Boasting incredible animation and a satisfying story, The Boy and the Heron delivers more of the excellence that Hayao Miyazaki has trained audiences to expect.

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Peter Travers

ABC News

Japanese manga master Hayao Miyazaki, 83, came out of retirement for this hand-drawn beauty about his own life growing up in wartime. The Oscar for best animated feature belongs right here since Miyazaki’s unparalleled artistry shines out of every frame.

Feb 23, 2024

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Simran Hans

Monocle

I just found it utterly transporting.

Jan 5, 2024

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Tim Robey

Monocle

Visually, it's about as sumptuous as any of [Studio Ghibli's] films have ever been.

Jan 5, 2024

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Francesca Steele

iNews.co.uk

Strange, riveting and something only he [Miyazaki] could make.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 11, 2024

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Joseph Tomastik

Loud and Clear Reviews

I acknowledge that I didn’t understand this movie ... But for me, the experience of watching it the first time wasn’t charming, emotional, or even creative enough to make me want to see it again.

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 3, 2024

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Kip Mooney

College Movie Review

His latest is about storytelling, legacy, unrealized dreams and, uh, bird poop.

Rated: B

Nov 18, 2024

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Color

Deserves all the praise it’s received, another masterpiece! Bravo!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/24

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Destinee

One of his best movies to date. A real treat for the eyes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

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Vi

went to see it for my love’s birthday…. was beautiful. thank you hayao

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/29/24

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Elizabeth

what an interesting movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

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Jaime

Excellent movie and the art is so incredible!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

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Derek S

I've been a Studio Ghibli fan since I was a kid and this movie pales in comparison to their older work when it comes to story and likeable characters. I literally fell asleep in the theater and that's something I've never done. The animation was great, the music by Joe Hisaishi haunting, and the English voice cast did a magnificent job which is why I gave 3 stars.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

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Hayao Miyazaki

Director

Luca Padovan

Mahito Maki

Christian Bale

Shoichi Maki

Dave Bautista

The Parakeet King

Gemma Chan

Natsuko

Willem Dafoe

Noble Pelican

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The Brutalist Takes Best Film at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards

Awards Leaderboard: Top Movies of 2023

Rotten Tomatoes Predicts the 2024 Oscars

The Boy and the Heron: Featurette - Toshio Suzuki on Hayao Miyazaki & the Future of Animation

4:35

The Boy and the Heron: Final Teaser Trailer

1:19

The Boy and the Heron: Trailer 1

1:55

The Boy and the Heron: Teaser Trailer

1:11

The Boy and the Heron: Teaser

0:32

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Synopsis

From the legendary Studio Ghibli and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) comes a new critically-acclaimed fantasy adventure. After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family's estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito's new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Distributor: GKIDS
Production Co: Studio Ghibli, Toho Company, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Nippon Television Network
Rating: PG-13 (Smoking|Bloody Images|Some Violent Content)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 2023, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 25, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.2M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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