My Neighbor Totoro

NZ release: 16 April 1988

Suitable for General Audiences Rated on: 16 April 1988

My Neighbour Totoro

What’s it about?

A father and his two daughters move into an old house. The girls soon find out the house is surrounded by spirits.

The facts

  • Directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away)
  • Japanese language or English dub
  • Runtime: 86 minutes
  • Animated film by Studio Ghibli (The Wind Rises, Ponyo, Princess Mononoke)
  • Starring voice acting by Cheryl Chase and Pat Carroll.

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.

Content that may disturb

A young girl goes missing, we see the desperation of various characters trying to find her. This can be distressing for some viewers.

The film features mythical creatures. For example, a ‘cat bus’ with many legs and a cat head at the front. There are also large creatures that growl loudly and enormous mouths. However, these creatures are friendly. This can be disturbing at first for younger viewers who are new to the Studio Ghibli genre.

Further information

Recent featured decisions

05 May 2026

Violence

Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves.

Read more

12 May 2026

Graphic violence and offensive language

Sasha is an experienced climber and kayaker grieving the death of her husband. She heads into the Australian wilderness for a solo adventure. What starts as a trip to clear her head turns into a brutal fight for survival when she discovers a seemingly friendly local is actually hunting her through the remote national park.

Read more