Howl's Moving Castle
Howl's Moving Castle Image
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 194 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura, Tatsuya Gashûin
  • Summary: An amazing new animated adventure that celebrates the power of love to transform and the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of adversity. (Disney)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    Perfect for anyone with a youthful heart and a rich imagination.
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    80
    You'll gladly surrender to the whole gorgeous muddle.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    60
    Just as Miyazaki seemed on the verge of properly crossing over, he serves up an anime riddle wrapped in an enigma - though with all his usual charm, wit and hand-drawn beauty.
  4. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    30
    The movie made almost no sense whatever to me. I literally could not follow it, even as I was dazzled by it.

See all 40 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 92
  3. Negative: 3 out of 92
  1. heyitsmegrif4
    10
    With thrills, heart, love, visual beauty and humor and the great original score Hayao Miyazaki has directed another fantastic and beautiful adeventure. I give this move 95%.… Expand
  2. bradley
    8
    A thoroughly bizarre story, but thoroughly worth watching. Miyazaki's story lines are always a bit on the odd side, but this atypical approach to writing is what makes his movies so fascinating and captivating.… Expand
  3. Tokyochuchu
    7
    Howl's Moving Castle is a beautifully animated fantasy film. As usual with Gibili anime, the movie delivers some intense sweetness and some subtle catharsis. That said, Howl's Moving Castle also has a fair few problems, including some incomprehensible fantasy weirdness, weak character motivations (why exactly is the movie's villain bent on war?) and too many coincidences. But it's altogether a fun adventure.… Expand
  4. KenE.
    2
    It was almost totally incomprehensable. I was pretty much hoping they would finally fall over a cliff and get it over with.... a huge dissapointment given the glowing ratings from most sources.… Expand

See all 92 User Reviews

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