Parents' Guide to

Howl's Moving Castle

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Charming Miyazaki fairy tale with surreal villains.

Movie PG 2005 119 minutes
Howl's Moving Castle Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Howl's Moving Castle Movie: Scene #1
  • Howl's Moving Castle Movie: Scene #2
  • Howl's Moving Castle Movie: Scene #3
  • Howl's Moving Castle Movie: Scene #4

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 38 parent reviews

Dusty_Inkwell
Dusty_Inkwell Adult
February 15, 2021
age 8+

Demon Explaination

*slight spoilers, non-plot related* At one point, Sophie says that if the one character is a demon, he's one of the good ones. While her choice of wording is confusing, I have to admit I'm not sure if there's a better one. The Japanese don't hold to a concept of demons as fallen angels - what we translate as demon is more like "supernatural monster/being". These monsters aren't inherently evil, and some are actively helpful. This could be an opportunity to talk to kids about different cultures, and how their beliefs shape their stories.
lMaiko
lMaiko Parent of 10-year-old
November 23, 2022
age 10+

See all 38 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, Howl (voiced by Takuya Kimura in the original version and Christian Bale in the English dub) is a wizard who's had his heart stolen by a demon. His efforts to recover himself include assembling a ragtag "family" to live with him in his moving castle. These include a friendly fire demon named Calcifer (Tatsuya Gashuin/Billy Crystal) and young apprentice Markl (Ryūnosuke Kamiki/Josh Hutcherson). The newest member is Sophie (Chieko Baisho/Jean Simmons), a 90-year-old housekeeper who's really an 18-year-old hat-maker (Chieko Baisho/Emily Mortimer), cursed by the large and lumpy Witch of the Waste (Akihiro Miwa/Lauren Bacall) so that she can't tell anyone that she's been transformed. Sophie has been led to the castle by a hopping, turnip-headed scarecrow. And here she finds not only acceptance but also a crew in need of care.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (38 ):
Kids say (98 ):

Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki's animation style is famously delicate and inventive, and this film is no exception. In Howl's Moving Castle, the jittery-edged images conjure lovely rhythms, often from children's perspectives that feature lots of low angles and dreamlike movements (see also Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind). At the same time, the film investigates, carefully rather than loudly and aggressively, what worries kids: Why do adults fight and go to war? How is love scary as well as thrilling and encouraging? The film's answers are complicated and incomplete, but, more importantly, its questions are provocative.


Keeping track of who's cursed whom and who's disguised as what can be confusing, but Howl's Moving Castle -- based on a book by Diana Wynne Jones -- pits two major forces against one another: the war-making king, aided by royal sorceress Madame Suliman (Haruko Kato/Blythe Danner), and the well-meaning but childishly petulant Howl. Sophie helps to sort out his problematic behavior, in part by forgiving and looking after everyone, including the conniving Witch of the Waste. Sophie's wisdom is a function of her kindness, but her unbidden transformation is also unnerving.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Howl's Moving Castle's messages and themes. Do you agree that appearances can be deceiving, that your inner self is more important than what you look like, and that generosity (aka "heart") ensures that good will, eventually, be done?

  • What parts of the movie did you find frightening and/or scary? Why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

  • How do the characters in Howl's Moving Castle demonstrate compassion? Why is this an important character strength?

  • How does the movie treat being old? When Sophie was put under a spell, how did she react to her new appearance? Was her reaction different from what you expected?

  • Why do you think this movie is considered an anime classic? How is it different from the majority of Hollywood animated movies?

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