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Only Yesterday

1991·Movie
1h 59min·NR
IMDb7.6Metacritic908.3Rotten Tomatoes100%84%

Where to watch

HBO Max

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Only Yesterday fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Fast Pace4
  • Tension2
  • Spectacle2

Heart

Nostalgic and wholesome

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Nostalgia10
  • Coming of Age9
  • Wholesome8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Situational Comedy4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Cringe Humor2

World

Everyday modern life, growing up, and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout characters, direction, and performances

  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8
  • Acting8

Style

Standout cinematography and editing

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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Nostalgic moviesMelancholic moviesBittersweet moviesPeaceful moviesAtmospheric movies

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About

I'm going on a trip with me.

In lyrical switches between the present and the past, Taeko contemplates the arc of her life, and wonders if she has been true to the dreams of her childhood self.
Nostalgic ReflectionComing-of-AgeRural JapanEmotional JourneySlice of LifeFemale ProtagonistThoughtful & SentimentalGhibli-esquePast vs Present

Crew

Directed by:
Isao Takahata
Written by:
Isao Takahata, Hotaru Okamoto, Yuko Tone
Produced by:
Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, Yasuyoshi Tokuma
Composed by:
Katsu Hoshi, Takahisa Ishino, Kazuhiko Ikai

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Only Yesterday

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Only Yesterday legally?

HBO Max

Only Yesterday is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Only Yesterday worth watching?

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87/100 (IMDb 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 90). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Only Yesterday rated?

NR

It's rated NR in the United States.

How long is Only Yesterday?

1 h 59 min

Only Yesterday runs 1 h 59 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Only Yesterday?

Critics95
Audiences81

Not quite. Critics rate Only Yesterday higher (95) than audiences (81). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Only Yesterday in?

Japanese

It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.

In how many countries can I watch Only Yesterday?

132ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBGBH+118

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Only Yesterday in 132 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Only Yesterday use?

Mundane Made AwesomeFamily Theme NamingMarket-Based TitleAccidental Injury GuiltSlice of LifeScenery PornGhibli HillsMy New Gift Is LameStandard '50s FatherDaddy's GirlBarbie Doll AnatomyBland-Name Productand 43 more

TV Tropes lists 55 storytelling tropes for Only Yesterday, including Mundane Made Awesome, Family Theme Naming, Market-Based Title.