Spirited Away (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning animated epic follows a young girl who must navigate a breathtaking spirit world to rescue her parents.
Spirited Away - Movie Information
- Original Title: 千と千尋の神隠し
- Release Year: 2001
- Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Family, Fantasy
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 2h 5m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 20, 2001 (Japan - G), October 18, 2025 (United States - PG), September 20, 2002 (Canada), September 12, 2003 (United Kingdom - PG), June 19, 2003 (Germany - 0), April 10, 2002 (France - TP), April 3, 2003 (New Zealand), December 12, 2002 (Australia - PG), July 18, 2003 (Brazil - L), April 18, 2003 (Italy - T), October 25, 2002 (Spain - 12), June 28, 2002 (South Korea - ALL), June 21, 2019 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Chihiro ilmmiid gaskkas (FI), The Spiriting Away of Sen and Chihiro (US), Unesenniye prizrakami (RU), Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (JP), Shahre Ashbah (IR), Vùng đất linh hồn (VN), המסע המופלא (IL), El viatge de Chihiro (AD)
- Production Companies: Studio Ghibli, Tokuma Shoten, Nippon Television Network Corporation, Mitsubishi, dentsu, TFC
- Production Countries: Japan
Spirited Away - Plot
A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family.
Spirited Away - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the enchanting spirit world of Spirited Away come to life:
Beyond the tunnel was a mysterious town.
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Spirited Away - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hayao Miyazaki
Main Cast
- Rumi Hiiragi
- Miyu Irino
- Mari Natsuki
- Takashi Naito
- Yasuko Sawaguchi
- Tatsuya Gashûin
- Ryunosuke Kamiki
- Yumi Tamai
- Yo Oizumi
- Koba Hayashi
Writers
- Hayao Miyazaki
Producers
- Toshio Suzuki
Spirited Away - FAQs
Where can you stream Spirited Away right now?
Spirited Away is available to stream on Max (formerly HBO Max), including via the Max Amazon Channel. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Plex. Availability may vary by region.
What does the ending of Spirited Away mean?
The ending sees Chihiro successfully free her parents and return to the human world, though she cannot remember her spirit world experiences. Many interpret this as a metaphor for childhood growth — the journey itself transforms her, even if the memories fade, symbolizing the bittersweet passage into maturity.
Is Spirited Away based on a true story?
Spirited Away is not based on a true story. Hayao Miyazaki drew inspiration from Japanese Shinto mythology, folklore, and the concept of the spirit world (kami). He also created the story as a personal gift for the daughter of a close friend, imagining a young girl's journey of self-discovery.
Who are the main voice actors in Spirited Away?
The principal voice cast includes Rumi Hiiragi as Chihiro, Miyu Irino as Haku, Mari Natsuki in the dual role of Yubaba and Zeniba, Takashi Naito as Chihiro's father, Yasuko Sawaguchi as her mother, and Bunta Sugawara as the boiler-room elder Kamaji.
Did Spirited Away win any major awards?
Spirited Away won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Oscars in 2003, becoming the first — and still only — hand-drawn anime film to win the prize. It also won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2002, sharing the top honor with Bloody Sunday.
What is Spirited Away about?
Spirited Away follows ten-year-old Chihiro, who stumbles into a supernatural realm populated by gods, spirits, and witches after her parents are transformed into pigs. To rescue them, she takes a job at a magical bathhouse run by the fearsome witch Yubaba, discovering resilience and identity along the way.
What is the age rating for Spirited Away?
Spirited Away is rated PG in the United States, indicating some material may not be suitable for young children. The film contains mildly scary fantasy sequences and some thematic intensity, but is broadly considered appropriate family viewing. It holds a G rating in its home country of Japan.
What are similar movies to Spirited Away?
Fans of Spirited Away often enjoy other Studio Ghibli films such as Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and The Cat Returns. Beyond Ghibli, Your Name. offers a similarly emotional Japanese animated experience, while Enchanted provides a lighter Western take on magical-world adventures.
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