An ethereal, hand-drawn fantasy that captures the poignant ache of growing up, visually unfolding like a dreamlike watercolor painting of Japanese folklore.

Spirited Away

千と千尋の神隠し

20 July 2001 Japan 125 min ⭐ 8.5 (17,521)

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Cast: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Takashi Naito, Yasuko Sawaguchi

Animation Family Fantasy

Coming-of-Age and Identity Critique of Greed and Consumerism Environmentalism The Blurred Line Between Good and Evil

Budget: $19,000,000

Box Office: $274,925,095

Spirited Away - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details

Easter Eggs

The Soot Sprites (Susuwatari) that work in Kamaji's boiler room previously appeared in another Studio Ghibli film.

These helpful, coal-carrying creatures first appeared in Hayao Miyazaki's 1988 film "My Neighbor Totoro." Their inclusion in "Spirited Away" is a fun callback for fans of Studio Ghibli's work, connecting the magical worlds of two of its most beloved films.

A pillow in Boh's playroom has a picture of Jiji, the black cat from "Kiki's Delivery Service," on it.

This is another subtle nod to a previous Studio Ghibli film, "Kiki's Delivery Service" (1989). Miyazaki often includes small references to his other works, creating a sense of a shared, whimsical universe for attentive viewers.

The director's note on the storyboard for the scene where Yubaba blasts No-Face with energy explicitly said 'Dragon Ball style'.

This is a fun, behind-the-scenes reference to another iconic Japanese anime, "Dragon Ball." It shows how even a master like Miyazaki draws inspiration from other popular works within the medium, in this case, to convey a sense of overwhelming power in Yubaba's attack.

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