I am a massive fan of the work of Studio Ghibli and while I could not rank the movies, I can tell you that Spirited Away is one of my favorites. Originally released all the way back in 2001, Spirited Away was a worldwide breakthrough movie for the Japanese studio. It captured everyone’s attention, even Disney who at the time snapped up the international distribution rights.
How to Stream or Download Spirited Away Full Move Online
Spirited Away was released on 20 July 2001. To stream or to download the movie from iTunes, click on the Where to Watch & Stream button below.
The Movie Review
The story of the movie is great and will have you engaged right from the start. It is about a young girl called Chihiro who along with her parents are moving to a small town in the Japanese countryside. Along the way, they get lost and they end up at this old abandoned theme park which is pretty creepy.
Chihiro’s Creepy Adventure
Chihiro and her parents explore this theme park even though Chihiro thinks it is creepy. Despite the place being abandoned, they come across a place that has all this tasty fresh food. Her parents decide to eat and then they turn into pigs! The whole theme park changes and Chihiro finds herself in a strange land full of spirits!
A Friend in Haku
She soon comes across a friend in the very cool, loyal, and dynamic Haku who explains to her what this place is. It is kind of a resort for the spirits and she has to get out of there or she will be stuck there and her parents will be permanently turned into pigs. The center of this place is a strange bathhouse that is home to a powerful witch who runs this place.
Chihiro’s Brave Journey
Eventually, Chihiro takes a job there and things get very strange. She does all she can to not just survive but to also save her parents before it is too late. Spirited Away is a truly engrossing story and Chihiro is a very likable character who goes above and beyond not just for her parents, but for the spirits that she ends up connecting with too.
Visual Delights of Spirited Away
As is the case with all Studio Ghibli movies, Spirited Away is pure pleasure for your eyes. This strange spirit world looks amazing and the different creatures that come to this place have a ton of imagination to them. I have always loved the way Studio Ghibli has a ton of authentic Japanese scenery and architecture in their movies, but there is always some kind of twist on it.
Stellar Voice Acting
The voice acting in the Western version of the movie is amazing and each character feels real. Chihiro is played by the talented Daveigh Chase who you may know better as Samara from The Ring. Her parents are played by Michael Chiklis and Lauren Holly. The whole cast does a great job of bringing this tale to life.
Spirited Away: A Studio Ghibli Gem
It is so obvious to say that Spirited Away is one of the best Studio Ghibli movies, but that praise is well deserved. It is not just a great animated movie; it is a great movie in general. If I ever introduce someone to the world of Studio Ghibli, I always suggest that they start off with this movie.
If you enjoyed this title, check out our reviews and streaming guides for Outbreak and The Pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you stream Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away (2001) online?
As of November 2026, writer-director Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli masterpiece Spirited Away (2001) streams on HBO Max in the United States (and Netflix internationally) and can be owned digitally with Japanese and English audio on Prime Video and Apple TV.
What happens when Chihiro enters Yubaba’s spirit bathhouse?
After her parents are turned into pigs for eating spirit food inside a mysterious tunnel town, ten-year-old Chihiro signs a contract with witch Yubaba that strips her name down to “Sen”, relying on river spirit Haku, boiler-man Kamaji, and enigmatic No-Face to win their freedom.
What Academy Award record did Miyazaki and Joe Hisaishi’s classic set?
Storyboards drawn directly by Hayao Miyazaki without a pre-written screenplay and scored by longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi propelled Spirited Away to the Berlin Golden Bear and the 75th Oscars, becoming the only hand-drawn, non-English film ever crowned Best Animated Feature.
Which modern Japanese anime phenomenon has rivaled Spirited Away at the box office?
Anime fans celebrating breathtaking theatrical craftsmanship can also check out Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle.
