The Boy and the Heron

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1:55

The Boy and the Heron

PG-13

2023

2h 4m

Fantasy

Adventure

Anime

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96%

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275 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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Louis Skye (Ronita Roy Mohan)

Women Write About Comics

I was completely captivated by the world of The Boy and the Heron and its incredible visuals. I’ve always been taken by the detailed art of Studio Ghibli films and... I often had to remind myself that I was watching animation and not live action.

Aug 20, 2025

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Karen K. Tran

The Asian Cut

Best enjoyed when not taken too literally, rather immersing yourself into the visual experience while keeping in mind there are no bad guys here — just misunderstood characters.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 2, 2025

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Guillermo Troncoso

Screen Realm

It’s trying to land something big, emotionally, but it doesn't quite get there... Still, even if it didn’t fully click, it’s another imaginative piece from Miyazaki. Not one of my favourites, but worth seeing for the artistry alone.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 31, 2025

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Alan B

Amazing storytelling and visuals. Must see for any anime fan. The themes and parallels alone are fantastic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/20/25

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Sheli R

Fantastic story! This is a brilliant creation with so much depth and character. Thoroughly enjoyed it..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/20/25

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Timothy

Amazing animation and script

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/25

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PAUL

you can't go wrong studio ghibli. the boy and the heron is a masterpiece. visuals, storyline and musical score. definitely recommend

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/19/25

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Joshua K

Loved it. I’ve yet to be disappointed by a Ghibli movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/18/25

Full Review

CFern

Really fcking weird.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/21/25

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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

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
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 2025
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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