My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Hayao Miyazaki's timeless animated masterpiece about childhood wonder, forest spirits, and the quiet magic of family love.
My Neighbor Totoro - Movie Information
- Original Title: となりのトトロ
- Release Year: 1988
- Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Fantasy, Animation, Family
- Age Rating (US): G
- Runtime: 1h 26m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 16, 1988 (Switzerland - 0), July 13, 1990 (United States - G), May 24, 2013 (United Kingdom - U), December 8, 1999 (France - TP), July 8, 2004 (Australia - G), September 18, 2025 (Brazil - L), September 18, 2009 (Italy - T), June 10, 1996 (Spain - APTA), June 6, 2019 (South Korea - ALL), December 14, 2018 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Qonşum Totoro (AZ), 이웃집 토토로 (KR), Mening qo'shnim Totoro (UZ), 龍貓 (HK), My Neighbour Totoro (UK), Tonari No Totoro (JP), Komşum Totoro (TR), Totoro auzokidea (ES)
- Production Companies: Studio Ghibli, Nibariki, Tokuma Shoten
- Production Countries: Japan
My Neighbor Totoro - Plot
Two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest. When the youngest runs away from home, the older sister seeks help from the spirits to find her.
My Neighbor Totoro - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and step into the enchanting world of Totoro:
He's your friendly neighbourhood forest spirit!
Where to Watch My Neighbor Totoro
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My Neighbor Totoro - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hayao Miyazaki
Main Cast
- Noriko Hidaka
- Chika Sakamoto
- Hitoshi Takagi
- Shigesato Itoi
- Sumi Shimamoto
- Tanie Kitabayashi
- Toshiyuki Amagasa
- Yuko Maruyama
- Masashi Hirose
- Reiko Suzuki
Writers
- Hayao Miyazaki
Producers
- Tooru Hara
- Toshio Suzuki
My Neighbor Totoro - FAQs
Where can you stream My Neighbor Totoro?
My Neighbor Totoro is available to stream on Max (HBO Max). It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date streaming availability in your region.
What is My Neighbor Totoro about?
My Neighbor Totoro follows two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to rural Japan with their father to be near their ill mother. They befriend Totoro, a gentle forest spirit, and other magical creatures. The film celebrates childhood wonder, nature, and family resilience.
Is My Neighbor Totoro based on a true story?
My Neighbor Totoro is not based on a true story. It is an original creation by Hayao Miyazaki, though it draws on Japanese folklore and Miyazaki's own childhood memories of rural Japan in the 1950s. The mother's illness is believed to reflect Miyazaki's personal experience.
Who are the main voice actors in My Neighbor Totoro?
The original Japanese cast features Noriko Hidaka as Satsuki, Chika Sakamoto as Mei, Hitoshi Takagi as Totoro, Shigesato Itoi as their father Tatsuo, and Sumi Shimamoto as their mother Yasuko. The film relies heavily on its voice performances to convey warmth and emotional depth.
What is the age rating for My Neighbor Totoro?
My Neighbor Totoro is rated G in the United States, making it suitable for all audiences. Its gentle storytelling, absence of violence, and heartfelt themes make it an ideal film for young children and families, though its emotional depth resonates equally with adult viewers.
Did My Neighbor Totoro win any awards?
My Neighbor Totoro won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award in 1988 and the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Film in Japan. Over the decades it has received widespread critical recognition, and in 2006 Time magazine named it one of the greatest films ever made.
What does the Catbus symbolize in My Neighbor Totoro?
The Catbus is one of Miyazaki's most inventive creations — a twelve-legged feline vehicle that ferries passengers through the spirit world. It symbolizes the bridge between the human and magical realms, appearing only to those pure of heart, and ultimately serves as a vehicle of rescue and connection.
How long is My Neighbor Totoro?
My Neighbor Totoro has a runtime of 86 minutes (1 hour 26 minutes). Its relatively compact length makes it perfectly suited for young audiences while still delivering a complete, emotionally satisfying narrative with no filler or unnecessary padding.
More About My Neighbor Totoro
Explore further details about this beloved Studio Ghibli classic on these authoritative resources.