My Neighbor Totoro
Two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest. When the youngest runs away from home, the older sister seeks help from the spirits to find her.
Richard reviewed
August 3, 2025•
This is comfort cinema at its purest.
Two sisters move to the countryside to be closer to their hospitalized mother and what they find isn’t just nature, it’s magic.
Totoro isn’t just a forest spirit, he’s a symbol of childhood wonder, quiet resilience and the kind of joy that doesn’t need words.
Miyazaki’s animation is lush and gentle, with every frame breathing life into the world.
The pacing is slow, but intentionally so, it invites you to pause, breathe and feel.
There’s no villain, no big twist, just a story about growing up, holding on and letting go.
Whether you saw it as a kid or discovered it later, Totoro stays with you.
It’s not just a film, it’s a feeling.