My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro

1988Movie86 minJapanese

Two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest. When the youngest runs away from home, the older sister seeks help from the spirits to find her.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic86/100
Google Users94%
Director: Hayao MiyazakiGenres: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Comedy

Plot Summary

Two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. While exploring their new home and its surroundings, they encounter magical creatures, including the gentle forest spirit Totoro and his companions. The film follows their imaginative adventures and their deep connection with nature and the mystical beings within it.

Critical Reception

My Neighbor Totoro is universally acclaimed as a masterpiece of animation and a beloved children's film. Critics and audiences alike praise its heartwarming story, stunning visuals, and profound sense of wonder. It is often cited for its gentle pacing, lack of conventional antagonists, and its celebration of childhood innocence and the natural world.

What Reviewers Say

  • A visually enchanting and deeply moving film that captures the magic of childhood.
  • Praised for its gentle storytelling and imaginative, memorable characters.
  • Celebrated as a timeless classic that promotes a love for nature and the wonders of imagination.

Google audience: Audiences adore My Neighbor Totoro for its pure charm and heartwarming story. Viewers frequently highlight the film's beautiful animation, the lovable characters like Totoro himself, and its ability to evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia. Many appreciate its positive messages about family, nature, and imagination, making it a cherished film across generations.

Fun Fact

The character of Totoro became so popular that he is now the mascot for Studio Ghibli, appearing on their logo.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

5 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Though maybe the story here is a bit on the thin side, this is still glorious mix of family and fantasy from the hand-drawn animation of the gifted Hayao Miyazaki. It's all about two sisters - "Mei" and "Satsuki" who travel with their fathe...
ARGMAN

ARGMAN

cute & sweet. that's it
r96sk

r96sk

Aggressively cute. <em>'My Neighbor Totoro'</em> holds an extremely hearty story, one told via impeccably beautiful animation. Noriko Hidaka and Chika Sakamoto standout as Satsuki and Mei, the relationship between those two characters is...
20thCentury

20thCentury

(SPOILER ALERT) I was delighted to see this subtle/multi-layered tale unfold, which seemed to play well to both a childhood audience, keen on likable characters/compelling imagination, and adults with a deeper appreciation for the symbol...
sykobanana

sykobanana

**"Childhood" in a movie.** This is just perfection - a perfect way to while away time and reconnect with your youth. Everything is outstanding in this film, but especially the way it can emote your sense of wonder and imagination. ...