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When Marnie Was There

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When Marnie Was There

PG

Released May 22, 2015

1h 43m

Kids & Family

Drama

Fantasy

Mystery & Thriller

Anime

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Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

101 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A tomboy (Hailee Steinfeld) explores a long-abandoned villa and meets a mysterious blonde girl only she can see.

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Critics Consensus

When Marnie Was There is still blessed with enough visual and narrative beauty to recommend, even if it isn't quite as magical as Studio Ghibli's greatest works.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

The quasi-Sapphic intensity of Anna and Marnie's relationship - recalling Ghost World or a benign Heavenly Creatures - is poetically and sensitively handled.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 9, 2016

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

While Marnie lacks the densely mystical, immersive quality of Ghibli at its best, the film features characteristically exquisite hand-drawn animation and a sensitivity to the precarious, friable quality in an adolescent girl's self-worth.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 12, 2016

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Radio Times

The painterly, old-school aesthetic brings an aptly nostalgic feel to this examination of how the past can haunt the present and the rapturous intensity of young friendship.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 9, 2016

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... a gentle, touching story of confronting turbulent emotions that acknowledges that, however unfair, such feelings are real and cause real damage.

Apr 26, 2025

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

Does what Ghibli has always done, and done so well: Address the cruel twists and turns life can take.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 15, 2021

Full Review

Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

It's amazing how [Studio Ghibli] can so easily tap into the wonder and awe of young people.

Rated: B

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

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Randy

Cried so hard at the ending, non-stop

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

Russell S

This movie sucks. Don't waste your time watching it. Overrated pie of garbage

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

Full Review

Jack M

A story that tackles forgiveness, family, and grief with beauty and sincerity.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/06/25

Full Review

Giovana L

Bem mais ou menos,fica muito aquém dos demais filmes que o Studio ghibili já fez,mas é bonitinho e tem um plot Twist interessante. Animação impecável como sempre. O final me emocionei um pouquinho.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

Full Review

Ben f

The dialogue is sometimes lacking. I think the dub has some very, direct, translations that sometimes feel off. The music also feels very on the nose sitcom ish at times. BUT this is so much different than his other work. So bright and mellow compared to most of his other ADHD inducing works. The atmosphere and chemistry? Between the main character and marnie is so cathartic and nostalgic. Always gave me butch v fem les vibes but turns out it can't possibly be that so idk.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

Full Review

Zainab H

Anna gets on my nerves the entire movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

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Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Director

Hailee Steinfeld

Anna

Kathy Bates

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Synopsis

A tomboy (Hailee Steinfeld) explores a long-abandoned villa and meets a mysterious blonde girl only she can see.

Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Producer: Yoshiaki Nishimura, Koji Hoshino
Screenwriter: Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Keiko Niwa, Masashi Ando
Distributor: GKIDS
Production Co: Studio Ghibli
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Smoking)
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): May 22, 2015, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $314.3K
Runtime: 1h 43m

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