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When Marnie Was There

Play trailer Poster for When Marnie Was There PG Released May 22, 2015 1h 43m Kids & Family Drama Fantasy Mystery & Thriller Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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When Marnie Was There

When Marnie Was There

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Randy Cried so hard at the ending, non-stop Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/22/24 Full Review Kenny A. Of all the amazing films that Studio Ghibli has made over the years, this is the one that resonates with me the most. My absolute favorite Ghibli movie, bar none. As an aspiring artist and a very introverted person with an overactive imagination, I relate to a character like Anna so much. A beautifully told story with a beautiful message. I loved this film the first time I saw it and I still love it to this very day. l've made it a personal tradition to watch this movie once a year (Usually, around the end of the summer). One of my favorite movies of all time. Easily in my top ten! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review Lucas O Rating: 87%. I didn't expect to enjoy this movie so much. The animation was gorgeous per usual with Studio Ghibli. The voice acting (English) and music were both great. At first, I will say it started a bit on the slower/boring side. Some of the actions of the main character seemed illogical and rash; however, one has to consider that she is still a child. This was also the case with a few other characters. I was a little confused about exactly what relationship the characters had, but the ending cleared things up. The ending was by far the best, most emotional part of the film and it really redeemed the movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/06/25 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 Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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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