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Trailer+3 trailers

The Imaginary

2023Movie1 h 48 minPG

Animation
75
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb6.8Metacritic666.8Rotten Tomatoes91%79%

An awe-inspiring, moving animated movie about fantasy and family, with standout score and world-building.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Where to watch

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Not for scares or brutality.

Movies with

Story

A boy no one can see, and the Imaginaries.

Amanda and her imaginary friend Rudger go on thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger finds himself alone, he faces a mysterious threat.

Feels like

  • Whimsical Animated Fantasy
  • Emotional Coming-of-Age
  • Childhood Imagination
  • Touching Friendship Story
  • Beautifully Rendered World
  • Poignant & Heartwarming
  • Adventure & Discovery
  • Music-Driven Narrative
  • Family-Friendly Anime

Cast

14 of 14

Crew

Directed by
Yoshiyuki Momose
Written by
Yoshiaki Nishimura, Emily Gravett, A. F. Harrold
Produced by
Yoshiaki Nishimura
Music by
Kenji Tamai

Everyone

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

Facts

December 15, 2023 · 1 h 48 min · PG

Released
December 15, 2023
Runtime
1 h 48 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Available in
131 countries

Tropes

Adaptational Nice Guy, Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence, Big Bad +9

  • Adaptational Nice Guy
  • Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence
  • Big Bad
  • Big Damn Hero
  • Big Word Shout
  • Chekhov's Gunman
  • Death of a Child
  • The Dragon
  • Hoist by His Own Petard
  • Fate Worse than Death
  • Picky People Eater
  • Tulpa

12 of 26 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Imaginary?"

Questions about The Imaginary

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Imaginary?

Netflix

In the United States, The Imaginary streams on Netflix. It also streams in 130 other countries.

Is The Imaginary worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75 (IMDb 6.8, Rotten Tomatoes 91%, and Metacritic 66).

Is The Imaginary okay for kids?

PG

Yes: it's rated PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will I feel good after watching The Imaginary?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for hopefulness and 7 for wholesome.

Is The Imaginary in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.

What tropes does The Imaginary use?

Adaptational Nice GuyAscend to a Higher Plane of ExistenceBig BadBig Damn HeroBig Word ShoutChekhov's GunmanDeath of a ChildThe DragonHoist by His Own PetardFate Worse than DeathPicky People EaterTulpaand 14 more

TV Tropes lists 26 tropes for it, including Adaptational Nice Guy, Ascend to a Higher Plane of Existence, and Big Bad.