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The Secret World of Arrietty

Play trailer 0:30 Poster for The Secret World of Arrietty G Released Feb 17, 2012 1h 35m Kids & Family Fantasy Adventure Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 152 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 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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The Secret World of Arrietty

The Secret World of Arrietty

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Kate Muir The 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 Mary Kassel Screen Rant While The Secret World of Arrietty hits the mark in terms of style & feel, it doesn't have the emotional depth of the best Studio Ghibli films. Rated: 6/10 Jun 23, 2025 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Pam M This version of "The Borrowers" was well done. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review Sally Beautiful story! Great animation! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/25 Full Review frannie This is an animated wonder from Studio Ghibli, loosely based on Mary Norton's book "The Borrowers.". Hiyao Miyazaki's screenplay and tender touch permeates this movie, directed well by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, his first film at Ghibli. The landscapes and settings are beautifully rendered in watercolor glory the movie celebrates the everyday joys (and trials) of life, as two very different young people meet, and deeply affect one another forever, one eventful summer in the countryside. It was nostalgic without being overly saccharine--a light touch, unlike most commercial animated films--bittersweet and lovely. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/25 Full Review Christopher D Loved this movie. I love the smaller in scope adventure. Would highly recommend. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/25 Full Review Paige It’s such a classic and just getting to rewatch it on the big screen Mase me nostalgic and happy. Also it was quite amazing to see the show come to life- almost felt like I was watching for the first time again! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/25 Full Review Mieehuuaa So sweet, a lovely movie that keeps your attention. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Secret World of Arrietty

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Secret World of Arrietty

The Secret World of Arrietty: Fathom Events Trailer The Secret World of Arrietty: Fathom Events Trailer 0:30 View more videos
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The Secret World of Arrietty

Teaser Poster Art The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) (L-R) Homily, Pod and Arrietty in "The Secret World of Arrietty." A scene from "The Secret World of Arrietty." Arrietty and Shawn in "The Secret World of Arrietty." Pod in "The Secret World of Arrietty." Arrietty (right) in "The Secret World of Arrietty." Arrietty and Shawn in "The Secret World of Arrietty." Arrietty in "The Secret World of Arrietty." View more photos

Movie Info

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)
Jul 10, 2025
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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