Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Kernel Score: 89% · 3,990 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Adventure, Animation, Fantasy
Released: 1984-03-11
Runtime: 117 minutes
Is Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind worth watching?
Must-watch. A young princess tries to stop a war between humans and a poisonous jungle full of giant insects. It's Miyazaki's early environmental epic, imaginative and humane, and the ideas still land.
Watch it if you
- love thoughtful fantasy with big ideas
- enjoy Studio Ghibli
- want a hero who chooses peace
Skip it if you
- want a light children's cartoon
- dislike slow, serious world-building
Best for: Quiet fantasy night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- 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
After a global war, the seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind remains one of the last strongholds on Earth untouched by a poisonous jungle and the powerful insects that guard it. Led by the courageous Princess Nausicaä, the people of the Valley engage in an epic struggle to restore the bond between humanity and Earth.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is a post-apocalyptic anime about ecological restoration featuring giant toxic insects and warfare.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — A review notes 'non stop violence' amid post-apocalyptic warfare and battles with giant insects.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
If you liked Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Princess Mononoke (1997) — 92%: Miyazaki's later epic about nature and humans at war
- Castle in the Sky (1986) — 93%: Miyazaki adventure with flying machines and wonder
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004) — 92%: Miyazaki fantasy full of heart and romance
- Spirited Away (2001) — 96%: Miyazaki's most loved fantasy
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — 89%: Gentler Ghibli film for any age
- Pom Poko (1994) — 81%: Ghibli's offbeat story about nature versus development
Director
Cast
- Sumi Shimamoto as Nausicaä (voice)
- Ichiro Nagai as Mito (voice)
- Gorō Naya as Yupa (voice)
- Yoji Matsuda as Asbel (voice)
- Yoshiko Sakakibara as Kushana (voice)
- Iemasa Kayumi as Kurotowa (voice)
- Hisako Kyoda as Obaba (voice)
- Mahito Tsujimura as Jihl (voice)
- Mina Tominaga as Lastel (voice)
- Kohei Miyauchi as Gol (voice)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind FAQ
Is Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind worth watching?
Must-watch. A young princess tries to stop a war between humans and a poisonous jungle full of giant insects. It's Miyazaki's early environmental epic, imaginative and humane, and the ideas still land.
Where can I watch Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind?
In the US you can stream Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind OK for kids?
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is a post-apocalyptic anime about ecological restoration featuring giant toxic insects and warfare.
What movies are like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind?
If you liked Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, try Princess Mononoke, Castle in the Sky, Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away.