Spirited Away

"It is plainly, though not simply, a masterpiece from an acknowledged master of contemporary animation, and a wonderfully welcoming work of art that's as funny and entertaining as it is brilliant, beautiful and deep." – Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Wandering through an abandoned carnival site, ten-year-old Chichiro is separated from her parents and stumbles into a dream-like spirit world where she is put to work in a bathhouse for the gods, a place where all kinds of nonhuman beings come to refresh, relax and recharge. Here she encounters a vast menagerie of impossibly inventive characters – shape-shifting phantoms and spirits, some friendly, some less so – and must find the inner strength to outsmart her captors and return to her family. Combining Japanese mythology with Through the Looking Glass-type whimsy, Spirited Away cemented Miyazaki’s reputation as an icon of inspired animation and wondrous, lyrical storytelling. It became – and still is – the highest grossing film of all time in Japan and holds the distinction of being the only hand-drawn (and non-English!) animated film to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

For over three decades, Studio Ghibli has transported audiences across the globe to magical realms filled with fantastic creatures and awe-inspiring sights. Led by co-founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the Japanese studio has garnered numerous awards, set box office records, and touched the hearts of children and adults alike. Join us for a two-week celebration as we present, in partnership with GKIDS, all 22 films (and one short!) in the Complete Studio Ghibli.

Check out the rest of our The Complete Studio Ghibli program!