Ponyo (2008)
Kernel Score: 88% · 4,717 ratings · Rated G
Genres: Animation, Fantasy, Family
Released: 2008-07-19
Runtime: 100 minutes
Is Ponyo worth watching?
Worth watching. Miyazaki's gentle fairy tale about a fish who wants to be human. It's simple, beautifully hand-drawn and ideal for young children, though it has less depth than his best.
Watch it if you
- love hand-drawn animation
- want a calm, kind movie for kids
- enjoy Miyazaki's sense of wonder
Skip it if you
- want a dense, grown-up plot
- dislike loose, dreamy storytelling
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Ponyo
- 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
When Sosuke, a young boy who lives on a clifftop overlooking the sea, rescues a stranded goldfish named Ponyo, he discovers more than he bargained for. Ponyo is a curious, energetic young creature who yearns to be human, but even as she causes chaos around the house, her father, a powerful sorcerer, schemes to return Ponyo to the sea.
Ponyo parents' guide: all ages
Parents need to know that Ponyo is a gentle, G-rated Studio Ghibli fantasy about a magical fish-girl and a young boy, ideal for young children.
- Violence & scariness: None — No meaningful violence; a light-hearted fairy-tale adventure for children.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official G rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Ponyo
If you liked Ponyo, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Spirited Away (2001) — 96%: Miyazaki's best-loved fantasy with endless imagination
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — 89%: Gentle, wonder-filled children's classic
- Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) — 89%: Sweet coming-of-age fantasy from the same studio
- Castle in the Sky (1986) — 93%: Adventure with floating islands and big wonder
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004) — 92%: Magical Miyazaki romance and fantasy
- The Little Mermaid (1989) — 89%: Classic mermaid fairy tale
Director
Cast
- Yuria Kozuki as Ponyo (voice)
- Hiroki Doi as Sosuke (voice)
- George Tokoro as Fujimoto (voice)
- Tomoko Yamaguchi as Risa (voice)
- Yuki Amami as Gran Mamare (voice)
- Kazushige Nagashima as Koichi (voice)
- Akiko Yano as Ponyo's Sister (voice)
- Shin'ichi Hatori as Anchorman (voice)
- Tokie Hidari as Kayo (voice)
- Rumi Hiiragi as Young Mother (voice)
Ponyo FAQ
Is Ponyo worth watching?
Worth watching. Miyazaki's gentle fairy tale about a fish who wants to be human. It's simple, beautifully hand-drawn and ideal for young children, though it has less depth than his best.
Where can I watch Ponyo?
In the US you can stream Ponyo on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Ponyo OK for kids?
Ponyo is rated G. Fresh Kernels suggests all ages. Parents need to know that Ponyo is a gentle, G-rated Studio Ghibli fantasy about a magical fish-girl and a young boy, ideal for young children.
What movies are like Ponyo?
If you liked Ponyo, try Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky.