Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Kernel Score: 89% · 4,471 ratings · Rated G
Genres: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Drama
Released: 1989-07-29
Runtime: 103 minutes
Is Kiki's Delivery Service worth watching?
Must-watch. A young witch spends a year on her own in a seaside town, running a delivery business. It's a gentle, charming film about homesickness and losing confidence, and it treats its young heroine with respect.
Watch it if you
- want a warm, low-stakes story
- love Studio Ghibli's hand-drawn style
- like coming-of-age stories about independence
Skip it if you
- need big action or villains
- dislike slow, quiet pacing
Best for: Cosy family night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Kiki's Delivery Service
- Stream: HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
Kiki's Delivery Service parents' guide: all ages
Parents need to know that Kiki's Delivery Service is a gentle, wholesome Studio Ghibli coming-of-age story, rated G.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Includes a mild bicycle accident but is otherwise gentle and low-intensity.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official G rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Kiki's Delivery Service
If you liked Kiki's Delivery Service, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Spirited Away (2001) — 96%: Ghibli's best-known fantasy about a girl finding her feet.
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — 89%: Gentle, wondrous Ghibli film about childhood.
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004) — 92%: Ghibli fantasy with a young woman at its centre.
- Castle in the Sky (1986) — 93%: Ghibli adventure full of flying and wonder.
- The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) — 87%: Small-scale, tender Ghibli tale.
- Wolf Children (2012) — 89%: Warm animated family drama about growing up.
Director
Cast
- Minami Takayama as Kiki / Ursula (voice)
- Rei Sakuma as Jiji (voice)
- Kappei Yamaguchi as Tombo (voice)
- Keiko Toda as Osono (voice)
- Mieko Nobusawa as Kokiri (voice)
- Koichi Miura as Okino (voice)
- Haruko Katō as Old Lady (voice)
- Hiroko Seki as Barsa (voice)
- Yuriko Fuchizaki as Ketto (voice)
- Koichi Yamadera as Bakery Worker / Policeman (voice)
Kiki's Delivery Service FAQ
Is Kiki's Delivery Service worth watching?
Must-watch. A young witch spends a year on her own in a seaside town, running a delivery business. It's a gentle, charming film about homesickness and losing confidence, and it treats its young heroine with respect.
Where can I watch Kiki's Delivery Service?
In the US you can stream Kiki's Delivery Service on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home.
Is Kiki's Delivery Service OK for kids?
Kiki's Delivery Service is rated G. Fresh Kernels suggests all ages. Parents need to know that Kiki's Delivery Service is a gentle, wholesome Studio Ghibli coming-of-age story, rated G.
What movies are like Kiki's Delivery Service?
If you liked Kiki's Delivery Service, try Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle and Castle in the Sky.