My Neighbor Totoro
Often regarded as one of the best children’s films ever created, Hayao Miyazaki’s watercolor ode to childhood imagination is both a delightful, exhilarating adventure and nuanced portrait of youth, innocence, and growth.
To be closer to their mother who is bedridden in a rural hospital, Satsuki and Mei move with their father to a remote village in the countryside, only to discover that the countryside is home to a family of gentle creatures that take these young girls on a magical new journey. A welcome change from the usual Hollywood kids’ film, which often pits children against adults, My Neighbor Totoro explores the beautiful depths of this bond, and the mysteries children face as they confront death and sadness, wonder and excitement, and the idea of a future in a world they are just beginning to understand.
Recommended for ages 5+
