Recommended Age Limit:
I watched and loved this as a six year old, but there are a few scarier moments that may be frightening for sensitive viewers. Though it depends on the child, I would recommend around eight at the youngest. If the fact that the animated children’s film features demons and witchcraft raises eyebrows, please take as a note of clarity that in the context of this story, demon is synonymous to ‘monster’ or ‘creature’, and the word ‘witch’ is to indicate ‘magic-user’ (Editor’s note: as per Japanese translation).
But is it edifying?
This is a poignant story about identity, courage, and finding peace and beauty no matter your circumstances. There are layers of themes that can apply to a plethora of ages, while remaining enjoyable to all.
One More Thought:
As I mentioned below, the movie is inspired by a frankly wonderful book, through which lens the movie plot and themes have a greater sense of completion. The book is definitely more of a comedy, while the movie is a drama. Though this isn’t a “’100 Books Every Family Should Read Together” list, if it did exist, I would slap this book at the top of the ranking.
In what should not be considered a hot take, any children’s media that doesn’t have the potential for the whole family to enjoy together is, frankly, poor children’s media. Too often, kids are exposed to shrill, frantically-paced content (what many refer to as modern children’s entertainment) that fails to foster shared experiences. This content is not meant to bring families together in the living room for a joyful hour of collective enjoyment; instead, they primarily serve to keep children occupied and distracted while the rest of the family is doing their own thing in separate spaces.
When children’s media focuses more on keeping kids out of the way rather than cultivating wonder, imagination, and learning, it contributes to the rise of ‘iPad kids’ and diminishes a sense of nostalgia. Family unity comes from doing things together, and to that end, the best movies for children would be movies that they watch with their family—engaging enough for older kids and adults, gentle enough for young children, and enjoyable for everyone.
Being on the latter end of a large family, I watched many movies at a very young age in which I, the smallest child watching, was not the target audience, but my family as a unit was. These movies did not set out to satisfy one attention span, one age group, one set of interests, but rather set out to pull together the whole family in one shared, enjoyed, experience. And one film that did that really, really well was Howl’s Moving Castle.
Fittingly, the central message of this visually stunning and cinematically engaging Studio Ghibli masterpiece is “No matter your state, life is worth living.” Inspired by Diana Wynne Jones’ novel of the same name (which I just cannot recommend enough) this film, while not an exact adaptation, beautifully captures some of the more existential and dramatic themes of the book, reinterpreting it through that signature Ghibli lens of whimsy, profound beauty, and classic drama.
The protagonist, Sophie Hatter, finds herself caught in a tangled web when she unwittingly makes herself the target of the jealous Witch of the Waste. Cursed and transformed into an old woman, The now elderly Sophie leaves her hometown and encounters the mysterious Moving Castle, in which she meets the enigmatic Wizard Howl and his fire demon, Calcifer. (voiced by Billy Crystal in the English dub, with a legendary performance. Absolute 10/10.) The characters are memorable, lovable, and utterly fairy-tale-like. The film delicately lingers on slow, beautiful moments in life—yet it can also ramp up the tension and raise the stakes sky-high (literally). It’s a story about discovering one’s identity, about sacrifice, about courage, and about cursing enemies so all their bacon may burn.
When it comes to beautiful and memorable soundtracks, Ghibli films are an embarrassment of riches. Howl’s Moving Castle is no exception, and indeed, its score is one of the most recognizable and beloved in the Ghibli universe. The film also boasts gorgeous visuals that need to be experienced on the biggest screen possible. At six years old, I didn’t know what “aesthetic” meant, but I knew this movie had it. It masterfully balances dreamy, fantastical whimsy with gritty reality, as a love story unfolds amidst war and witchcraft. Despite the hardships faced by the characters, moments of peace and contentment weave throughout the story, giving the film a warm, ‘feel-good’ quality that’s characteristic of many Ghibli works.
Why is it a great film for kids? Because it’s fun. It’s funny, heartfelt, and tells a good story. It’s a little quirky, but all Ghibli films are. It’s part of the charm.
Fun, comedic, breathtaking, and soothing all at once, Howl’s Moving Castle is a movie that’s a joy to watch for the first time, and even better on revisits. It exemplifies how children’s movies can be meaningful, entertaining, and deeply resonant for viewers of all ages. And it is one that, even though we are all now adults, my whole family would still be down to watch together.
