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Howl's Moving Castle

Play trailer Poster for Howl's Moving Castle PG,  2005,  1h 59m,  Fantasy/ Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 87% 183 Reviews Tomatometer 93% 25,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 183 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Sophie (Emily Mortimer) has an uneventful life at her late father's hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends wizard Howl (Christian Bale), who lives in a magical flying castle. However, the evil Witch of Waste (Lauren Bacall) takes issue with their budding relationship and casts a spell on young Sophie, which ages her prematurely. Now Howl must use all his magical talents to battle the jealous hag and return Sophie to her former youth and beauty.
Howl's Moving Castle

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Exquisitely illustrated by master animator Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Mar 13, 2018
Howl's Moving Castle has the logic of a dream: behind every door lie multiple realities, one more astonishing than the next. Go to Full Review
Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Dec 8, 2014
[Miyazaki] may have made better films than Howl's Moving Castle, but it still exhibits his amazing imagination and astonishing detail. Go to Full Review
John Lyttle New Statesman Dec 8, 2014
Howl's Moving Castle is Japanese and anime, and therefore automatically more artistic than its US counterparts. The right cultural cachet gives you a lot of leeway. Go to Full Review
Adele Campisi Loud and Clear Reviews Jul 5, 2025
5/5
Hayao Miyazaki’s endeavour to achieve perfection and attention to detail find their apex in Howl’s Moving Castle, Studio Ghibli’s most eccentric and intense masterpiece. Go to Full Review
Lisa Laman Culturess Oct 7, 2024
Howl's Moving Castle's blending of 2D animation and CG firmly solidifies it as a mid-2000s hand-drawn animated affair. Go to Full Review
Mary Kassel Screen Rant Oct 2, 2024
4.5/5
20 years later, Howl's Moving Castle is still a thrilling and gorgeous addition to Miyazaki's filmography and will continue to connect with viewers. Go to Full Review
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Howl's Moving Castle

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Cast & Crew

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Hayao Miyazaki

Director

Jean Simmons

Old Sophie

Christian Bale

Howl

Lauren Bacall

Witch of the Waste

Blythe Danner

Madam Suliman

Emily Mortimer

Young Sophie

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Howl's Moving Castle

Poster Art Howl's Moving Castle (2004) A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. A scene from the film HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE directed by Hiyao Miyazaki. Howl's Moving Castle (2004) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Sophie (Emily Mortimer) has an uneventful life at her late father's hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends wizard Howl (Christian Bale), who lives in a magical flying castle. However, the evil Witch of Waste (Lauren Bacall) takes issue with their budding relationship and casts a spell on young Sophie, which ages her prematurely. Now Howl must use all his magical talents to battle the jealous hag and return Sophie to her former youth and beauty.
Director
Hayao Miyazaki
Producer
Rick Dempsey, Toshio Suzuki, Ned Lott
Screenwriter
Hayao Miyazaki
Distributor
Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co
Studio Ghibli
Rating
PG
Genre
Fantasy, Anime
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 10, 2005, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Sep 20, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 15, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.7M
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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