Spirited Away (PG, 2002)
common sense media says
Magnificent movie with scary creatures and a strong heroine.
parents & educators say
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say there are positive messages
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Hayao Miyazaki's magical adventure is widely considered an animated masterpiece, but it can be a creepy and frightening experience for young viewers. There are dozens of freaky looking creatures that threaten each other or the protagonist, who is trying to save her parents. Many, many scenes involve these strange beings, and younger children used to more sanitized characters may find them disturbing. One character smokes and in a dinner scene someone is offered sake. Older children ready for a more sophisticated animated tale will be mature enough to enjoy this story of a brave young female protagonist.
Positive role models:
Chihiro is an exemplary 10-year-old girl who selflessly enters the world of spirits to save her parents. She faces frightening circumstances and rises to the occasion each time.
Violence:
Birds attack the a main character who has taken the shape of a dragon. Some scary supernatural scenes including parents turned into pigs. A couple of characters, like No-Face and Yubaba can be off-putting and disturbing to younger viewers. The creatures range from strange looking birds or serpents and shape-shifting things to a carnivorous creature that lures others with gold and then preys on them. Parents are transformed into pigs. Paper birds chase a dragon that is wounded and bloody. Various creatures shift into scary beings or people, and spells make odd things happen like a girl's mouth zippered shut. A giant baby causes trouble and kicks someone in the face. The mood is foreboding and ominous when Chihiro walks through the woods or encounters these strange creatures.
Sex:
None, but a gigantic baby's bottom is visible.
Language:
There's one threatening exclamation, "I'll rip your mouth."
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
One character smokes a cigarette and another is shown with an ashtray containing cigarettes. Sake is offered to someone.
More on Spirited Away
Review It
Based on 57 parent & educator reviews:
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say there are positive messages
Most useful reviews by all members
basenjilove9
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Awesome movie
Omigosh probably one of the BEST movies ever!! Enjoyed it so much!
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ocie14
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Don't care how good it is...
I saw this movie when I was about 8, and I was TERRIFIED. Still am, every time I am alone in my house and I turn a corner, I am scared that "no-face" monster is there. SO FREAKY AND UPSETTING
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Niche
parent of 8 and 10 year old
parent of 8 and 10 year old
A thoughtful visual treat
This is one of our family's favorite movies. Very clever, imaginative, inventive, and features a somewhat spoiled girl who develops independence and strength in a foreign land. A visual treat and pitch-perfect for our family which appreciates our children's entertainment flavored with less saccharine and more art and thought.
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Exoves
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Out there. Fantastic movie like Howl's Moving Castle. More for younger kids in my opinion. But its still a fantastic movie. Teaches kids to grow up a bit. Definitely good role models. No real violence, well maybe that baby. *Thinks about it* No thats just a regular baby.
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Michikorabbit2
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Amazing. Just... amazing.
This is absolutely my favorite animated movie of all time. The storyline if very deep. The animation is AMAZING. All of the monsters have a unique design; even the ones that are seen in the background. Hayao Miyazaki, the creator of this movie, is my favorite director. Something great about him is that he is slightly a feminist, for his movies contain brave, intelligent females (unlike lots of other movies in Japan). You can see this in Spirited Away, for Chihiro is a good a role model and so is, to a lesser extent, Zeniba. I recommend his other movies for those who like this one. Little kids might be scared of this movie, for the monsters can be creepy at times. There is some blood.
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connielove93
educator and parent of 5 and 10 year old
educator and parent of 5 and 10 year old
A perfect Family Film
This movie is fantastic. This movie is not violent exept for a few paper cuts. The movie is about a ten year old named Chihiro who is a spoiled child and is worried about moving away. Her parents stop at a tunnel off-road to check it out and they find a shop with food and eat it, they turn into pigs and Chihiro must find a way to change them back. She finds herself in a magical world of spirits and she gets a job at a local bath house from a kind boy spirit. As weird as it may seem, at the end Chihiro learns a lesson about growing up. After her journey she becomes less of a small child and more of an independent adult. This movie was a fantasic journey into adulthood and away from the safety of childhood.
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Pugluver57
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Great movie!!
I love it I saw it when I was 7 their is some violince but none to be that concerned about but some of the scenes with no-face is creepy one of my favorite movies
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gorehaunter
adult
adult
Heartwaming...
Hmmm Princess mononoke is made by the same people and is pg-13, but in this website says that everyone over 9 can veiw it, while this is pg, and says over 11. They got this completely wrong. This movie is not like the comedy or playing kind, but it is very heartwarming, and feels very good when you watch it. Kids should be over age 7 maybe to watch it. The only innapropriatte sence is when a dragon is poked and scratched by a thousand paper birds, and the dragon has red blood, like 30% over his body, and when he crashes into the building, blood splatters. The dragon survives though. This 20 second sence is the only part of the movie where there is very very mild blood. 20 seconds out of 3 hours. Yes, the movie is very long. It is nightmare fantasy-ish. Kids under 7 may be scared... be warned. ( my sister, the age of 6 thought it was "awesome" and not "scary" )
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Zachc1126
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
A best!
Love this anime movie. One of the best, The plot was smoothed out and was easy to understand.
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zipzipzap
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
i think this is a creepy kinda movie and when i saw it when i was little i got really really scared and had bad dreams about being turned into a pig
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mlghoopla
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
Great for Children
This movie was absoulutly fantastic. I saw it when I was about seven and fell in love with it then. The movie does have some scary parts, but nothing to violent or nightmare worthy. I think this is a perfect movie for ages 7 and up.
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04shayna
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
It was pretty good
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mangafreak327
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
yes.
I saw this movie two years ago, and as soon as i finished it, i couldn't help but wish that I was chihiro. This is such a beautiful movie, but it is a tad bit violent. Small paper "birds" chase the Dragon Haku around and give him papercuts, and he is later seen coughing up blood. otherwise this film is the best, and i recommend just covering the young one's eyes when the scary parts are on so that maybe they can enjoy this too.
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jessaboaz
parent of 6 year old
parent of 6 year old
MY favorite movie
Classic coming of age flick. The movie is about a girl who moves to a new town and has to leave behind her friends and start over. She's nervous, and a little scared. But by the end, she figures out that she can handle anything.
This is my favorite movie. Not my kid's favorite, MY favorite. But my five year old loves it too. However, it is scary. My kid doesn't scare easily. I don't recommend it for the average five year old though. I'd say ages 8 and up.
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Snowdrop
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
AWESOME!!! XD
COME ON!!!
11+... Please!!
Commonsense is wrong bout this one
i was 6 when i watched this movie and i loved it!!!
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roxaslovr
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
great family movie preteens and teens mostly
i am a kid and i loved it. a great family movie maybe some explaining to do for younger kids
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GlitchGirl
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Excellent!
This movie is a masterpiece! I love Hayao Miyazaki's work. I watched it when I only seven and I've been loving it ever since! Chihiro is a well-balanced young heroine and the characters are creative & endlessly interesting. There's enough humor & fun fantasy elements for kids while the touch of dark fantasy & intriguing plot will make teens & adults love it too! But like those before me have said; some parts will be frightening too younger children. Be cautious; even if your little brother of sister says that they can take it! ;P
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FreedomFromCen ...
adult
adult
I LOVE this movie!!! And always will! A classic!
I have to admit my affinity for dragons was one of the main reasons I wanted to see this movie as a kid. And oh boy did I love it...It warmed my heart and gave me that good feeling at the end of the movie where you think anything is possible...and life just seems to drift away for that moment. I especially loved the scene where she nuzzles her dragon-friend, that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside as a kid ^.^
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