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When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.

Director:

Hayao Miyazaki

Writers:

Hayao Miyazaki (screenplay), Diana Wynne Jones (novel) (as Daiana Win Jônzu)
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Popularity
644 ( 37)
Top Rated Movies #137 | Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 14 wins & 19 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chieko Baishô Chieko Baishô ... Sofî (voice)
Takuya Kimura ... Hauru (voice)
Akihiro Miwa Akihiro Miwa ... Arechi no Majo (voice)
Tatsuya Gashûin ... Karushifâ (voice)
Ryûnosuke Kamiki ... Marukuru (voice)
Mitsunori Isaki Mitsunori Isaki ... Koshô (voice)
Yô Ôizumi ... Kakashi no Kabu (voice)
Akio Ôtsuka ... Kokuô (voice)
Daijirô Harada Daijirô Harada ... Hin (voice)
Haruko Katô ... Sariman (voice)
Jean Simmons ... Grandma Sophie (voice)
Christian Bale ... Howl (voice)
Lauren Bacall ... Witch of the Waste (voice)
Blythe Danner ... Madame Suliman (voice)
Emily Mortimer ... Young Sophie (voice)
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Storyline

A love story between an 18-year-old girl named Sophie, cursed by a witch into an old woman's body, and a magician named Howl. Under the curse, Sophie sets out to seek her fortune, which takes her to Howl's strange moving castle. In the castle, Sophie meets Howl's fire demon, named Karishifâ. Seeing that she is under a curse, the demon makes a deal with Sophie--if she breaks the contract he is under with Howl, then Karushifâ will lift the curse that Sophie is under, and she will return to her 18-year-old shape. Written by Sophie Ball

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for frightening images and brief mild language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second Ghibli movie voiced by a Batman live action actor. Christian Bale voiced Howl Pendragon, after Michael Keaton played the titular Porco Rosso. See more »

Goofs

Sophie's top ribbon doesn't always reappear when she transforms back into her younger self. See more »

Quotes

Howl: I feel terrible, like there's a weight on my chest.
Young Sophie: A heart's a heavy burden.
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Connections

Referenced in Salem: Our Own Private America (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

Sekai no Yakusoku
Written by Yumi Kimura
Performed by Chieko Baisho
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User Reviews

 
A poetic anti-war cartoon.
14 September 2004 | by chiarasfSee all my reviews

In a time of war and falsity here it is a dancing poetry from Japan against all the cruelty and pain. The moving castle leads us to a magic place where life has a strong value and elderly people have an important role to play. Also in an apparent hostility or in a scarecrow, Hayao Miyazaki gives us the chance of finding a friend and not letting the dream go down. The perfect technique and the emotional stream are in complete harmony. If the jury of the Venice Film Festival had been more far-seeing, it would have given a more prestigious prize to this masterpiece.


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Details

Official Sites:

Disney [United States]

Country:

Japan | USA

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

17 June 2005 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Howl's Moving Castle See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$427,987, 12 June 2005

Gross USA:

$5,576,743

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$236,214,446
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | DTS-ES | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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