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Trailer+1 trailer

The Sky Crawlers

2008Movie2 h 1 minPG-13

Animation
73
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.7Letterboxd3.6/5Rotten Tomatoes80%58%

A profoundly sad, slow-burning animated movie about war and technology, with standout direction and cinematography.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Youngsters called Kildren, who are destined to live eternally in their adolescence. The Kildren are conscious that every day could be the last, because they fight a war as entertainment, organized and operated by adults. But as they embrace the reality they are faced with, they live their day-to-day lives to the full.

Feels like

  • Philosophical Sci-Fi
  • Melancholy War Drama
  • Existential Anime
  • Visually Stunning
  • Contemplative Narrative
  • Anti-War Allegory
  • Thought-Provoking
  • Aerial Combat
  • Bleak & Beautiful

Cast

18 of 18

Crew

Directed by
Mamoru Oshii
Written by
Chihiro Ito, Hiroshi Mori
Produced by
Tomohiko Ishii
Music by
Kenji Kawai

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

August 2, 2008 · 2 h 1 min · PG-13

Released
August 2, 2008
Runtime
2 h 1 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Animation, Action, War, Science Fiction, Drama
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Available in
19 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Alternate History, Alternate History, Duel Boss +9

  • Alternate History
  • Alternate History
  • Duel Boss
  • The Smurfette Principle
  • Drives Like Crazy
  • The Social Darwinist
  • Overheating
  • Disk One Nuke
  • Taking You with Me
  • Ghost City
  • Enemy Chatter
  • Blood Knight

12 of 120 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Sky Crawlers?"

Questions about The Sky Crawlers

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Sky Crawlers?

In the United States, you can rent or buy The Sky Crawlers from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 5 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is The Sky Crawlers worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73 (IMDb 6.7, Letterboxd 3.6 out of 5, and Rotten Tomatoes 80%). Critics rate it higher (80 out of 100) than audiences (66).

Is The Sky Crawlers okay for kids?

PG-13ViolenceDisturbing imagery

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for violence and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Can I half-watch The Sky Crawlers?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for philosophical and 7 for complexity.

Will I feel good after watching The Sky Crawlers?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for melancholy and 8 for bleakness, against 3 for hopefulness.

Is The Sky Crawlers in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.

What tropes does The Sky Crawlers use?

Alternate HistoryAlternate HistoryDuel BossThe Smurfette PrincipleDrives Like CrazyThe Social DarwinistOverheatingDisk One NukeTaking You with MeGhost CityEnemy ChatterBlood Knightand 108 more

TV Tropes lists 120 tropes for it, including Alternate History, Alternate History, and Duel Boss.