When Marnie Was There

"The gentle, unforced charm of the animation feels like the very best of book illustration come to miraculous life, but with a strong, almost Hitchcockian streak of excitement and danger." – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

When shy, artistic Anna moves to the seaside to live with her aunt and uncle, she stumbles upon an old mansion surrounded by marshes, and the mysterious young girl, Marnie, who lives there. The two girls instantly form a unique connection and friendship that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. As the days go by, a nearly magnetic pull draws Anna back to the Marsh House again and again, and she begins to piece together the truth surrounding her strange new friend. Based on the young adult novel by Joan G. Robinson and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (The Secret World of Arrietty), When Marnie Was There has been described as “Ghibli Gothic,” with its moonlit seascapes, glowing orchestral score, and powerful dramatic portrayals that build to a stormy climax.

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!