My daughter and I both love love love this movie. We can both watch it over & over.... My doing so says more than hers, though, I suppose. ;) The animation, the story, the relationships, the imagination behind the story and characters/objects... all make this a heart-warming, timeless, endearing film. I wish every movie for children were at least a little bit more like this. I also fell in love with Elle Fanning (see her in _Phoebe in Wonderland_ -- not for kids) from this movie. She and sister Dakota do the voices for Satsuki (Dakota) and Mei (Elle). I was concerned the ill mother or Mei running off might be bothersome for my sensitive daughter, but it is handled so sensitively -- and not at all "Hollywood-ized," exploited, or otherwise over-dramatized -- that she just rolls with it. I highly recommend it as a quality movie for both parents and kids.
My Neighbor Totoro
(1988, Rated G, Family and kids, Starring Dakota Fanning, Tim Daly, Patrick Carroll)Ratings at a Glance
| 64% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 43% | of parents say there are good role models |
Have you seen it? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Well-made, endearing film for kids & adults
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
Pleasant Surprise
I thought my 2 YO would not sit through it, especially as it is not action-packed, but it definitely held his attention. I think the kids in the movie are so true to life that mine could totally relate to them. A nice, imaginative film with none of the wiseacre humor so prevalent in so many of today's pop movies.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Wonderful film for all ages
Our kids (5 and 2) absolutely love Totoro and have watched it countless times already. It is so unlike other movies for children, devoid of the typical violence and special effects, yet is wildly imaginative and engaging. It's a very tranquil movie, perfect with popcorn before bed.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give itMy concerns are:
- My highlights are:
Great for all ages, including adults.
Fantastic movie! My kids watch this one over and over again. It's a little scary when the younger girl disappears trying to get to the hospital by herself, but that doesn't last long and has a fine resolution. Their mother's stay in the hospital is handled well.
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
very sad but very good
very sad in some parts.
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
A pleasure for everyone.
This movie has been a family favorite since the first time we put it in the DVD player. My husband and I think that either every artist on the movie had a 3 year old, or they imported some to watch for hours and hours --- the depictions of Mei were so *perfect* in capturing the zest for life and curiosity of that age. We enjoyed talking with our kids about Totoro as a spirit, as a guardian angel, and as part of a belief system different from, but just as magical, as our own.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Totoro !!!
My two boys love this movie!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Go for the Vintage version for all ages
there is the "old" version and the newer Disneyized version. The Disney version is very dissapointing when compared to the nuances and little revelations of the vintage version. The older one is the translated Japanese version. The Japanese viewpoint on the reverence of nature is more apparent and more meaningful. Disney is almost insulting in its main streaming changes.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
What a kids' movie should be
A loving father is always a plus. No stupid adults is another. Add a sense of wonder and caring, and you have a movie that should be a cornerstone of a child's film literature. Children may need help understanding some of the emotional content, but that's not a bad thing. Messages: Trust. Wonder. Concern for the sick. Role models: Father who cares for his children. Neighbor who tells stories. A child who undertakes a daring journey to comfort her ill mother. An entire village who looks for the missing girl.
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My highlights are:
Great for 3 year olds and parents alike!
What a wonderful film! Not only is it my 3 year old daughter's favorite movie, but it holds up to repeated viewings by Dad as well. It's hard to find movies that are appropriate for toddlers - to find one that adults can watch as well is even harder! I know there are some concerns about the scene where the father is bathing with his girls - all I can say is that there is absolutely nothing sexual about it, and I'm guessing (as I'm not Japanese) that this is simply a cultural difference. In any case, I don't feel it's anything to be concerned about.
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
Sweet, funny, unique
This is a terrific film. There is a bit of scary stuff with the talk of huanted houses and some loud growling and strange scurring creatures, but all that is side-stepped by the girls giggling and delighted reactions and their overall curiousity of the unknown. I found this movie to be delightfully sweet and wonderfully devoid of the usual fare of action-packed chases and predictable dramas. I love the strong girl message and the wonder and magic found in the mysterious creatures the girls befriend. The movie embraces and celebrates the magical world of childhood. I recommned this movie for the whole family.
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
Will spark the imagination of your child!
My 5 year-old daughter has been enchanted by this film for over 2 years, and the rest of the family still looks forward to watching it after countless viewings. It is so refreshing to have an animated film featuring girl characters (the 2 sisters) who are not Disney princesses. And the story is just a sweet fantasy, with very little to scare young ones (mostly when the younger sister wanders away.) Incredible score, too, hard to believe the music was never released in the US. Please give it a try, especially if you have daughters.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Beautiful movie
Wonderful movie. The only part I didn't like is when kid's go off on their own while father doesn't know where they are. Other than that, the whole movie is just a beautiful movie.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great fun
My 4 & 5 yr old boys love this movie, even though it's about 2 girls. Wonderful for the imagination, and great example of sibling devotion.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
great stuff
one of our favorites!!! also good is Kiki's delivery service!!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
One of the best movies I've ever seen (and my 3 yr old loves it too)!
My three year old son and I first watched this about a month ago and we've watched it again about 4 times since. He loves it almost as much as me ; The first time he found the soot sprites and Totoro's loud noises a little scary, but now those are his favorite parts. The animation is beautiful and the themes are appropriate for kids and grown-ups alike. A must see for all ages.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
must watch
Good for the whole family. Sibling relationship is in the spotlight. Great for helping kids understand different emotions without forcing it on them. Enjoyable. My 4 year old really took an interest in this movie - it is a bit long for her attention span though.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
best one
this is one of the best movies ever made. For children or adults. not action packed- you'll have to work on your attention span- which is fine by me...
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
My 2-year-old loves Totoro best of all
My daughter needed a little hand-holding when Totoro (a friendly forest spirit) made loud noises, but this is her absolute favorite movie. Even though she didn't understand the whole movie at first (and may still not understand parts of it), she loves the imagery, the forest spirits, and the characters. I like that there is no villain -- too many kids' films for my taste feature the presence of absolute evil whose existence is never explained, and I'd rather not have my child see the world in terms of good and evil this way. Totoro has conflict, misbehavior, and scary bits, but all the characters have motivations we can understand and discuss.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
:)
I love totoro! Some slightly scary parts.
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
its very fun and very cute and very harry
I love totoro and his big fat belly he is my favorite ball of fluff
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I saw this 5 years ago
there was a part wherethe dads naked with his kids in a hot tub thing lots of kids i my class metioned that
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
Great movie
This is a REALLy cute movie that I loved ever since I was like 3. You can't watch this movie and not be happy. It's so CUTE!!
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give itMy concerns are:
Terrific!!!
Perfect family movie!
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
My favorite G-rated film.
Not as good as Miyazaki's more actiony movies, but still one of the best movies of all time! There's not even a tiny bit of innuendo in here, just pure family fun.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great family movie!
This is the perfect family film from anime visionary Hayao Miyazaki, and it has something for everyone (except for people who love films that have at least a little violence, but ah well). You'll laugh, you'll cry, you may even say "that's so cuuuuuuuute" a few times when even looking at the little white Totoro. Hey, I'm 16 and I don't think this movie's childish. It's just a good family film. See it.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great family movie.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Sadly realistic for a children's fantasy.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A Timeless Favorite!
I've been watching this since I was probably in first grade. My little sister and I are about 7 years apart, and we don't agree on that much, but this movie is one thing we both love. I've always loved anime, and she's always loved animals and cute drawings. It's a great movie for anyone, old or young, and to me, it'll never be 'just a little kid movie'.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
ahhhhhhhhh yes....
one day i remeberd a movie i saw along time ago. i was wondering what it was agen...... i only remebered one part. then i saw somthing that looked like what i remebered i rented it and it turns out it is what i remebered! i still love this fillm with my liteal bro its still for young kids but i still like it!.......ahhhhh the old days.............<(.nkn.)>
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A great family film, and I don't even like anime! This movie is sweet, innocent, clean and kids as well as adults will love it. Appropriate for kids of all ages.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
