Spirited Away

Movie guide

Spirited Away (2001)

千と千尋の神隠し

  • Animation
  • Family
  • Fantasy
8.5/10 Drama4U Score · from 19,080 TMDB votes · How the score works

Spirited Away (2001) guide: plot without spoilers, voice cast, review highlights and where to watch Hayao Miyazaki's classic in the Philippines on Netflix.

Spirited Away plot: a spoiler-free synopsis

Ten-year-old Chihiro isn’t thrilled about moving to a new town with her parents. Then a detour takes the family somewhere that feels like an abandoned amusement park, and an ordinary trip turns into something far stranger. As darkness falls, Chihiro finds herself in a hidden world ruled by spirits, magic and the creatures of Japanese folklore, the youkai. At its centre stands a grand bath house, and the place has its own rules, powerful figures and a sharp-tongued witch.

The situation becomes far more serious when her parents fall under a mysterious transformation. Separated from everything familiar, Chihiro has to rely on herself. Along the way she meets residents of this parallel world, including the enigmatic Haku and the no-nonsense Rin. To have any chance of saving her family and finding a way home, she must discover a courage she didn’t know she had.

At heart, Spirited Away is a coming-of-age fantasy about a parent-child bond, resilience and growing up. It all unfolds inside a richly imagined world drawn from Japanese mythology. Its tagline sets the tone: “Prepare to be spirited away.”

Spirited Away — Mood illustration, not a still from the film
Mood illustration, not a still from the film

Spirited Away review: what makes it notable

  • Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film is the personal vision of Studio Ghibli’s renowned filmmaker, who handled both the script and direction.
  • A Studio Ghibli production from Japan. It was made by Studio Ghibli alongside partners including Tokuma Shoten, Nippon Television Network Corporation, dentsu and The Walt Disney Company (Japan).
  • Rooted in Japanese mythology. Spirits, youkai, witchcraft and the bath house setting give the story a distinctly Japanese flavour while keeping it accessible to global audiences.
  • Strong audience reception. On TMDB, Spirited Away holds an average audience score of about 8.5/10 from more than 19,000 votes.
  • A notable Japanese voice cast. Rumi Hiiragi voices Chihiro, Miyu Irino plays Haku and Mari Natsuki takes on the dual roles of Yubaba and Zeniba. They’re joined by Yumi Tamai (Rin), Ryunosuke Kamiki (Boh), Takashi Naito and Yasuko Sawaguchi (Chihiro’s parents), Tatsuya Gashuin, Yo Oizumi and Koba Hayashi.
  • Genre blend. It mixes animation, family storytelling and fantasy over a running time of 125 minutes, with Japanese as the original language.

Who will enjoy Spirited Away

  • Anime fans and anyone curious about Studio Ghibli or Hayao Miyazaki’s work
  • Families looking for an animated fantasy with heart (parents may note that some scenes lean dark and eerie for very young kids)
  • Viewers who love Japanese culture, folklore and stories about spirits and youkai
  • Fans of immersive fantasy worlds and coming-of-age adventures
  • Anyone who enjoys stories about courage and the bond between parents and children

Release date & where to watch Spirited Away in the Philippines

Spirited Away first premiered in Japan on July 20, 2001. A specific Philippine theatrical release date isn’t listed in our available information.

For Filipino viewers today, the easiest way to watch is on Netflix, where the film is currently available for streaming in the Philippines. Availability on streaming platforms can change, so check the Netflix app for the latest listing. An official trailer for the film is also available.

Trailer

Cast

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

Where can I watch Spirited Away in the Philippines?
Spirited Away is currently available to stream on Netflix in the Philippines. Streaming catalogues can change, so it's best to confirm in the Netflix app.
When was Spirited Away released?
The film premiered in Japan on July 20, 2001. A specific Philippine theatrical release date isn't listed in our information, but you can stream it on Netflix in the Philippines.
Who is in the cast of Spirited Away?
The Japanese voice cast includes Rumi Hiiragi as Chihiro, Miyu Irino as Haku and Mari Natsuki as Yubaba and Zeniba. It also features Yumi Tamai as Rin, Ryunosuke Kamiki as Boh, and Takashi Naito and Yasuko Sawaguchi as Chihiro's parents.
What is Spirited Away about?
It follows Chihiro, a young girl who ends up trapped in a hidden world of spirits after her parents undergo a mysterious transformation. She has to find her inner courage to free her family.
How long is Spirited Away?
Spirited Away runs for 125 minutes, or about 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

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