The Secret World of Arrietty

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The Secret World of Arrietty

G

Released Feb 17, 2012

1h 35m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

Anime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

151 Reviews

85%

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10,000+ Ratings

Arrietty, a tiny teenager, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban home, unbeknown to the homeowner and housekeeper. Like others of her kind, Arrietty remains hidden from her human hosts, but occasionally ventures forth from beneath the floorboards to borrow sugar cubes and other supplies. A secret friendship forms when 12-year-old Shawn meets Arrietty, but their relationship could spell danger for Arrietty's family.

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Critics Consensus

Visually lush, refreshingly free of family-friendly clatter, and anchored with soulful depth, The Secret World of Arrietty lives up to Studio Ghibli's reputation.

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David Elliott

San Diego Reader

It's very pretty (plus a song that is like a gumdrop melting in your ear). Girls may enjoy the sweet, rather wistful story more than most boys.

Dec 8, 2014

Full Review

Ryan Gilbey

New Statesman

What is so bewitching about the mostly static backgrounds in Arrietty is that they can be oxygenated at will by the smallest instance of judiciously placed movement, such as a single fluttering ladybird or a pair of jaunty butterflies in the foreground.

Dec 8, 2014

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Kate Muir

Times (UK)

Arrietty is a fresh take on Mary Norton's classic The Borrowers, with animated artwork that will have adults enchanted and children gripped.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 8, 2014

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

It’s the kind of film that makes you slow down and consider its vast details long after the running time, whereas most Hollywood animated features feel like they were made to keep up with sugar-sniffing and technology-obsessed children.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 22, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An oasis of calm in the normally hyperactive world of toon entertainment.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 18, 2021

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

If you've never found yourself watching a Studio Ghibli film, then you owe it to yourself to do so.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 22, 2020

Full Review

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c

A existing adventure

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/12/24

Full Review

Michael

Glad to see this film again on the big screen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

Ben W

It’s ok. Not as exciting as other Ghibli films. With a concept like the borrowers, I’d hoped the film would’ve been more creative and adventurous.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

A.S.

Shawn is a little weird, and there were some slow parts, but overall this is still a masterpiece from Studio Ghibli. It is the same exceptional quality that you can expect from all of their other works.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

Olga

What a charming movie. Ghibli's classics, beautiful animation/scenography/picture. Leisurely pace allows to sit back, relax and take it slowly - very calming effect, very soothing. Nice plot as well - friendship between teenagers, involving adventures as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

Wendy

Charming and beautiful depictions of the gardens.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/11/24

Full Review

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Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Director

Gary Rydstrom

Director

Bridgit Mendler

Arrietty

Amy Poehler

Homily

David Henrie

Shawn

Will Arnett

Pod

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Synopsis

Arrietty, a tiny teenager, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban home, unbeknown to the homeowner and housekeeper. Like others of her kind, Arrietty remains hidden from her human hosts, but occasionally ventures forth from beneath the floorboards to borrow sugar cubes and other supplies. A secret friendship forms when 12-year-old Shawn meets Arrietty, but their relationship could spell danger for Arrietty's family.

Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Gary Rydstrom
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki, Keiko Niwa, Karey Kirkpatrick
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co: Studio Ghibli
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 17, 2012, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 16, 2019
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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