MovieWeb

howl's moving castle (2004)

howl's moving castle
Howl's Moving Castle
PG
Animation
Action
Adventure
Family
Fantasy
Romance

Release Date
November 19, 2004
Director
Hayao Miyazaki
Cast
Chieko Baisho , Takuya Kimura , Akihiro Miwa , Tatsuya Gashûin , Ryûnosuke Kamiki , Mitsunori Isaki
Runtime
118
Main Genre
Animation
Writers
Hayao Miyazaki , Diana Wynne Jones
Tagline
Sophie has resigned herself to a boring fate, but fate has other plans for her
Franchise
Studio Ghibli

Summary

Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") takes moviegoers on 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. Brimming with a blend of imagination, humor, action, and romance, "Howl's Moving Castle" recently played to great acclaim at the 2004 Venice Film Festival, and has become one of the biggest blockbusters of all time in Japan – earning more than $193 million at the box office and still counting. A distinguished cast of actors, under the direction of Pixar's Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc."), lend their vocal talents to this English-language version of the film. Sophie (voiced by Emily Mortimer), an average teenage girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome-but-mysterious wizard named Howl (voiced by Christian Bale), and is subsequently turned into a 90-year old woman (voiced by screen legend and two-time Oscar® nominee Jean Simmons) by the vain and conniving Wicked Witch of the Waste (voiced by screen legend and Oscar® nominee Lauren Bacall). Embarking on an incredible odyssey to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl's magical moving castle where she becomes acquainted with Markl, Howl's apprentice, and a hot-headed fire demon named Calcifer (voiced by Billy Crystal). Sophie's love and support comes to have a major impact on Howl, who flies in the face of orders from the palace to become a pawn of war and instead risks his life to help bring peace to the kingdom. Extraordinary characters, inventive imagery, and stunning artistry make this latest masterpiece from the visionary Miyazaki an unforgettable filmgoing experience.

latest

The Studio Ghibli film Howl's Moving Castle from Hayao Miyazaki
Howl's Moving Castle: The Problematic Fever Dream Pretending to Be a Good Film

This is why the excitement that exists surrounding Howl's Moving Castle is completely absurd.

By 
Howl's Moving Castle
Why Howl’s Moving Castle Is the Gold Standard for All Future Ghibli Films

Howl's Moving Castle sets an exemplary example for Studio Ghibli's movies going forward. Here's why.

By 
Wanda Maximoff
The Best 21st Century TV Shows and Movies About Witches, So Far

Witches have come a long way from old women living in the forest. From horror to comedy, here are the best witch stories released in the 21st century.

By 
Howl and Sophie Kiss
Howl’s Moving Castle: What Makes It A Perfect Love Story

This Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to get lost in a love story. Here’s why Howl’s Moving Castle is a great choice.

By 
Studio Ghibli Fest 2019 Lineup Announced by Fathom Events and GKIDS
Studio Ghibli Fest 2019 Lineup Announced by Fathom Events and GKIDS

GKIDS and Fathom Events return with a new Studio Ghibli Series lineup of celebrated animated masterpieces in U.S. cinemas throughout 2019.

By 
The Wind Rises Announces English-Language Voice Cast
The Wind Rises Announces English-Language Voice Cast

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are among the voice cast members. Hayao Miyazaki's final film debuts in U.S. theaters February 28th.

By 
MW
Hayao Miyazaki Is Retiring from Feature Films

The popular Japanese animator will retire after his work on The Wind Rises, but may still work on short films or other endeavors for Studio Ghibli in the future.

By 
COMIC-CON 2013: Mondo Reveals New Posters for Pacific Rim and The Dark Tower
COMIC-CON 2013: Mondo Reveals New Posters for Pacific Rim and The Dark Tower

Conan the Barbarian, Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away are also part of the boutique art house's new line-up.

By 
Emily Mortimer discusses voicing Holley Shiftwell in Cars 2
Emily Mortimer Talks Cars 2 [Exclusive]

The actress provides her voice for the British spy car Holley Shiftwell in this latest adventure from Disney and Pixar.

By 
MW
Toho Picks Up Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo on a Cliff

The magical animated film about a dreaming goldfish.

By 
MW
Part 2: More from Studio Ghibli on Howl's Moving Castle

The screenwriters discuss American and Japanese animation, working with Dakota Fanning and the Oscars.

By 
MW
2006 Oscar Winners

We've got the entire list of 78th Annual Academy Award winners.

By 
MW
Part 1: Talking Howl's Moving Castle with Japanese Translators Cindy Davis Hewitt & Donald H. Hewitt

Screenwriters discuss the nuances of the Japanese language and working with Hayao Miyazaki.

By 
MW
Disney Unleashes Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-Nominated Howl's Moving Castle

Coming to DVD March 7th along with My Neighbor Totoro and Whisper of the Heart.

By 
MW
The 2006 Oscar Nominees!

Brokeback Mountain, Crash and George Clooney lead the way in the 78th Annual Academy Awards noms.

By 
MW
Warner Bros. picks up Brave Story

...based on a best-selling novel by Miyuki Miyabe

By