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My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

★★★★ — My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

My Neighbour Totoro was released in Japan in April 1988 as a double feature alongside Grave of the Fireflies, a pairing that, in retrospect, seems almost wilfully cruel given how different the two films are in tone. For Hayao Miyazaki, it arrived between Castle in the Sky (1986) and Kiki's Delivery Service (1989), a remarkably productive run that established Studio Ghibli as a serious creative force barely three years after its founding. The studio had been set up in 1985 by Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki specifically to give its directors full creative control, and Totoro, drawn from Miyazaki's own original concept rather than any existing source material, was very much the product of that arrangement. Its modest budget of around 3.7 million dollars belied its ambition, and while its initial theatrical run was considered disappointing, the film found a vast second life through home video and television broadcast.

My daughter's favourite Ghibli film. An absolutely beautiful film. It's gentle, magical, and full of warmth—the kind of movie that feels like a warm hug. My daughter adores it, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Totoro has this quiet, comforting presence that sticks with you. The animation is stunning in that classic Studio Ghibli way, and it captures childhood wonder so perfectly. It does end a bit abruptly, but maybe that’s part of its charm. A true gem.

Rating: ★★★★ | Year: 1988 | Watched: 2025-04-15

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Where to watch (UK)

Stream: Netflix · Netflix Kids · Netflix Standard with Ads
Physical: Amazon UK

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