Howl's Moving Castle
NZ release: 20 November 2004
Some scenes may scare very young children Rated on: 20 November 2004
What’s it about?
Sophie's simple life is turned upside-down when she is turned into a 90-year-old woman by the spiteful Witch of the Waste. She leaves her old life behind and ventures into the waste to search for a way to break her curse. With the help of some unlikely friends, she meets along the way, Sophie faces an even bigger threat – war.
The facts
- Directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro)
- Japanese language or English dub
- Runtime: 119 minutes
- Based on 1986 novel Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
- Animated film by Studio Ghibli (Ponyo, Princess Mononoke)
- Starring voice acting by Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer and Billy Crystal
Why did it get this rating?
This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.
Violence and horror
War scenes includes bombs dropping and explosions. In an early scene two soldiers intimidate a female character. Blob-like figures chase after characters. A character turns into winged monsters and others are referred to as “demons”. While the film is animated some imagery may be scary for younger viewers.
Further information
Recent featured decisions
Violence and scary scenes
Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected, expert crafter.
