Castle in the Sky (1986)
Kernel Score: 93% · 4,601 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Animation, Action, Family
Released: 1986-08-02
Runtime: 125 minutes
Is Castle in the Sky worth watching?
Must-watch. Miyazaki's rollicking sky-pirate adventure is full of invention, charm and heart. It's an easy place to start with Studio Ghibli, and the floating-castle finale is lovely.
Watch it if you
- love hand-drawn fantasy adventure
- want a film the whole family can enjoy
- are curious about Studio Ghibli
Skip it if you
- want modern, fast-cut animation
- dislike dubbed or subtitled films
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Castle in the Sky
- Stream: HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle.
Castle in the Sky parents' guide: ages 7+
Parents need to know that Castle in the Sky is a PG animated adventure about two children searching for a legendary floating castle.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes battles between pirates, soldiers, and government agents in an adventure setting.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Castle in the Sky
If you liked Castle in the Sky, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Spirited Away (2001) — 96%: Miyazaki's most celebrated fantasy
- Princess Mononoke (1997) — 92%: Darker, more ambitious Miyazaki epic
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — 89%: Gentle Ghibli classic for all ages
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) — 89%: Early Miyazaki adventure with a strong heroine
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004) — 92%: Magical Miyazaki romance and flight
- Porco Rosso (1992) — 87%: Miyazaki's airborne adventure about a pilot
Director
Cast
- Keiko Yokozawa as Sheeta (voice)
- Mayumi Tanaka as Pazu (voice)
- Minori Terada as Muska (voice)
- Kotoe Hatsui as Dola (voice)
- Fujio Tokita as Uncle Pomme (voice)
- Ichiro Nagai as Shogun Mouro (voice)
- Hiroshi Ito as Oyakata (voice)
- Machiko Washio as Okami (voice)
- Takuzō Kamiyama as Charles (voice)
- Yoshito Yasuhara as Louis (voice)
Castle in the Sky FAQ
Is Castle in the Sky worth watching?
Must-watch. Miyazaki's rollicking sky-pirate adventure is full of invention, charm and heart. It's an easy place to start with Studio Ghibli, and the floating-castle finale is lovely.
Where can I watch Castle in the Sky?
In the US you can stream Castle in the Sky on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Castle in the Sky OK for kids?
Castle in the Sky is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 7+. Parents need to know that Castle in the Sky is a PG animated adventure about two children searching for a legendary floating castle.
What movies are like Castle in the Sky?
If you liked Castle in the Sky, try Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.