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Trailer

The Boy and the Heron

2023Movie2 h 4 minPG-13

Animation
85
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb7.3Metacritic917.8Rotten Tomatoes96%84%

An awe-inspiring, cathartic animated movie about fantasy and growing up, with standout direction and cinematography.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

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Movies with

Story

Where death comes to an end, life finds a new beginning.

While the Second World War rages, the teenage Mahito, haunted by his mother's tragic death, is relocated from Tokyo to the serene rural home of his new stepmother Natsuko, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to the boy's mother. As he tries to adjust, this strange new world grows even stranger following the appearance of a persistent gray heron, who perplexes and bedevils Mahito, dubbing him the "long-awaited one."

Feels like

  • Surreal Coming-of-Age
  • Miyazaki's Autobiographical Allegory
  • Philosophical Fantasy
  • Visually Stunning Hand-Drawn Animation
  • Melancholic yet Hopeful
  • War-Torn Historical Setting
  • Complex Symbolic Narrative
  • Emotional Catharsis
  • Joe Hisaishi Score
  • Metaphysical Journey

Cast

14 of 14

Crew

Directed by
Hayao Miyazaki
Written by
Hayao Miyazaki
Produced by
Toshio Suzuki
Music by
Joe Hisaishi

Everyone

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

Facts

July 14, 2023 · 2 h 4 min · PG-13

Released
July 14, 2023
Runtime
2 h 4 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Animation, Fantasy, Drama
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Budget
$50 million
Box office
$296 million
Available in
130 countries

Tropes

Company Cross-References, The Great Offscreen War, Miniature Senior Citizens +9

  • Company Cross-References
  • The Great Offscreen War
  • Miniature Senior Citizens
  • Uplifted Animal
  • Crapsaccharine World
  • Levirate Marriage
  • Recurring Element
  • Retraux
  • Shout-Out
  • Laser-Guided Amnesia
  • Worth It
  • Perfection Is Impossible

12 of 59 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Boy and the Heron?"

Questions about The Boy and the Heron

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Boy and the Heron?

HBO Max

In the United States, The Boy and the Heron streams on HBO Max. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. It also streams in 129 other countries.

Is The Boy and the Heron worth watching?

85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 85 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 96%, and Metacritic 91). Critics rate it higher (94 out of 100) than audiences (78).

Is The Boy and the Heron 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 Boy and the Heron?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for philosophical and 8 for complexity.

Was The Boy and the Heron a box office hit?

Budget$50 million
Box office$296 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $50 million to make and earned $296 million worldwide, 5.9 times its budget.

Is The Boy and the Heron in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.

What tropes does The Boy and the Heron use?

Company Cross-ReferencesThe Great Offscreen WarMiniature Senior CitizensUplifted AnimalCrapsaccharine WorldLevirate MarriageRecurring ElementRetrauxShout-OutLaser-Guided AmnesiaWorth ItPerfection Is Impossibleand 47 more

TV Tropes lists 59 tropes for it, including Company Cross-References, The Great Offscreen War, and Miniature Senior Citizens.