Princess Mononoke (1997)
Kernel Score: 92% · 8,814 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Animation
Released: 1997-07-12
Runtime: 134 minutes
Is Princess Mononoke worth watching?
Must-watch. Miyazaki's epic about a cursed prince caught between forest gods and an iron-making town is violent, grown-up and beautifully drawn. It's a serious fantasy that doesn't pick an easy villain.
Watch it if you
- like fantasy with real moral weight
- want hand-drawn animation at its best
- enjoy stories about nature versus industry
Skip it if you
- want a light film for small children
- dislike animated violence
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Princess Mononoke
- 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
Ashitaka, a prince of the disappearing Emishi people, is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. Along the way, he encounters San, a young human woman fighting to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, who is trying to destroy it. Ashitaka must find a way to bring balance to this conflict.
Princess Mononoke parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Princess Mononoke is a PG-13 animated fantasy with intense violence including decapitation amid an environmental conflict.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Includes fighting, a decapitation, and battle scenes as part of the human-versus-nature conflict.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Princess Mononoke
If you liked Princess Mononoke, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Spirited Away (2001) — 96%: Miyazaki's other great fantasy, more playful but equally imaginative.
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) — 89%: Earlier Miyazaki epic with a similar environmental theme.
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004) — 92%: Magical, romantic Miyazaki-style fantasy.
- Castle in the Sky (1986) — 93%: Miyazaki adventure with a floating castle and wonder.
- Wolfwalkers (2020) — 90%: Hand-drawn forest folklore about nature and human conflict.
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — 89%: Gentler Miyazaki story about spirits of the natural world.
Director
Cast
- Yoji Matsuda as Ashitaka (voice)
- Yuriko Ishida as San / Kaya (voice)
- Yuko Tanaka as Eboshi Gozen (voice)
- Kaoru Kobayashi as Jikobo (voice)
- Masahiko Nishimura as Kouroku (voice)
- Tsunehiko Kamijô as Gonza (voice)
- Akihiro Miwa as Mrs. Moro (voice)
- Mitsuko Mori as Mrs. Hii (voice)
- Hisaya Morishige as Chief of Affairs (voice)
- Sumi Shimamoto as Toki (voice)
Princess Mononoke FAQ
Is Princess Mononoke worth watching?
Must-watch. Miyazaki's epic about a cursed prince caught between forest gods and an iron-making town is violent, grown-up and beautifully drawn. It's a serious fantasy that doesn't pick an easy villain.
Where can I watch Princess Mononoke?
In the US you can stream Princess Mononoke on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Princess Mononoke OK for kids?
Princess Mononoke is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Princess Mononoke is a PG-13 animated fantasy with intense violence including decapitation amid an environmental conflict.
What movies are like Princess Mononoke?
If you liked Princess Mononoke, try Spirited Away, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Howl's Moving Castle and Castle in the Sky.