A tad violent, and sometimes too scary for younger viewers. The messages are positive, though, as this is a Good vs. Evil movie.
Howl's Moving Castle
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Charming Miyazaki fairy tale for tweens and up.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Howl's Moving Castle was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Parents need to know that this movie includes mildly scary figures (featureless blob-men, wraithlike wizards, explosions and war scenes) and a couple of dark night scenes. Its primary imagery is magical and whimsical, including the rather charming titular castle, which clatters and wheezes, walking on mechanical legs.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about this movie's basic themes: appearances can be deceiving, inner selves are more important than what you look like, and generosity (what the movie refers to as "heart") ensures that good will, eventually, be done. How does the movie define family? What does it mean to grow old, whether magically or naturally?
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More on Howl's Moving Castle
What’s the Story?
Howl (voiced in this English language version by Christian Bale) is a wizard who's had his heart stolen by a demon. His efforts to recover himself include assembling a ragtag "family" to live with him in his moving castle. These include a friendly fire demon named Calcifer (jokey Billy Crystal: "He burns me up!") and young apprentice Markl (Josh Hutcherson). The newest member is Sophie (Jean Simmons), a 90-year-old housekeeper who's really an 18-year-old hat-maker (Emily Mortimer does the young voice), cursed by the large and lumpy Witch of the Waste (Lauren Bacall) so she cannot tell anyone that she's been transformed. Sophie has been led to the castle by a hopping, turnip-headed scarecrow. And here she finds not only acceptance, but also a crew in need of a mother.
Is It Any Good?
While keeping track of who's cursed whom and who is disguised as what can be confusing, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE -- based on a book by Diana Wynne Jones -- pits two major forces against one another: the war-making king, aided by royal sorceress Madame Suliman (Blythe Danner), and the well-meaning but childishly petulant Howl. Sophie helps to sort out his bad behavior, in part by forgiving and looking after everyone, including the conniving Witch of the Waste. Sophie's wisdom is a function of her kindness, but her unbidden transformation is also unnerving.
Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki's animation style is famously delicate and inventive (see also, Spirited Away, 1999's Princess Mononoke, and 1984's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind). These jittery-edged images conjure lovely rhythms and children's perspectives (lots of low angles and dreamlike movements), while also investigating, carefully rather than loudly and aggressively, what worries kids: Why do adults fight and go to war? How is love scary as well as thrilling and encouraging? The film's answers are complicated and incomplete, but more importantly, its questions are provocative.
Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures, Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Run time: 119 minutes
Theatrical release: 06/10/2005, DVD release: 03/07/2006
MPAA Rating: PG for frightening images and brief mild language
Run time: 119 minutes
Theatrical release: 06/10/2005, DVD release: 03/07/2006
MPAA Rating: PG for frightening images and brief mild language
Our Members Say
See all 36 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
a good movie
this moving movie by mayisakie is great.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good for everyone
I was reading the main part of this guide, and I was extremely angered by how 'Witches are mean' was put in the positive messages. The fairy tale witches come from an actual religion. What is in that part of the review is insulting.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
extremely adorable film for all ages
Movie is too enjoyable to watch because you just cant grab what is the actual plot of the story. A beautifull movie with a beautifull ending.
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
okay for everybody
I watched it and it was pretty good... but it was weird because at the end the main character kissed every body
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
Yet another awesome miyazaki movie
It's a GREAT movie. It's kind of weird, but that's what makes it so awesome. A little bit of romance at the and, but for most of the movie, Sophie's an old lady, soooo... yea. Howl is kinda cute... ^-^ Btw, the book is good, too. Miyazaki is a genius.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
Another Ghibli masterpiece
Hayao Miyazaki is a frickin' visionary. He has made so many great films, it's hard to name them. This is not my favorite Hayao Miyazaki film (that honor goes to Spirited Away) but this one is worth a look. See it if you're over 7.
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
My favorite Hayao Miyazaki film.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Excellent!
One of my favorite animes created by the famous Hayao Miyazaki(Studio Ghibli). His movies will always amaze me & not once have they disappointed me. Filled with magic and love. A triumphant! I have seen all his movie and is awaiting eagerly for his next movie, "Ponyo by the Cliff by the Sea." CHARACTER DESIGN: 8.5 out of 10 STORY: 9 out of 10 OVERALL: 9 out of 10
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
it was very funny
Howls moving castle is an anime from Studio Ghibli fro, the year 2004. The film director was Hayao Miyazaki the film based on Dianna Wynne Jones book with the same title. The film goes about Sophie a young hat-maker that was saved by Howl a wizard. After that, an envious witch transformed Sophie in a not so old 90 years woman. Sophie left her town and crosses on her way a like a kangaroo jumping besom which shows her a big moving metal castle, where she promise Calcifer, a little insolent fire that is bound on that castle, to find out how he get away from this and Howl. He accepts Sophie in his house like a cleaner .Howl is a wizard, who shall battle in a war, but he does not want because of that Madam Siliman search for him. She find him and he battle against the enemy for Sophie. In that chaos Sophie, disappear in howls days as a child to the moment as he found Calcifer. Might that help her to stop the war, or to rescue calcifer and howl? Will she ever look like herself? The film was directed by hayao Miyazaki a Japanese drawer, author and producer. After his politic studies and his work by Studio Toei, he founded with his friend Iisao Takahata in 1985 Studio Ghibli. The music is from Joe Hisaishi. He is a Japanese composer, which plays piano and makes music for Studio Ghibli. Many people mean that his music shall show you magic without words. I like that film but I would not recommend that film for someone who do not like mangas and anime because it could be boring if you don not like or fascinated of this kind if art . I read the book too, but I find the book is nothing special opposite the film.
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I rate this title pause for age 6 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
My favorite Miyazaki film
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
One of the best PG movies in the history of history!
I seriosly recromend this movie. The book may have been writen by someone in Wales but the Japanese style animation perfectly fitted this movie. I loved it! Not much for parents to worry about except the violance which is mild anyway. Recommended for ages: 8+ Hope my review helps you! -i love dogs
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
beautiful..
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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