My Neighour Totoro
October 23rd, 2009
I think that film addiction must be genetic — my kids love movies as much as I do. We have started a tradition of Friday Family Film Night – to celebrate the end of the week – complete with popcorn and a glass of juice.
Now the challenge is finding movies that a 2-year-old and a 30-something-year-old will both enjoy. The greatest success we have had was the Japanese Kids Animated Classic My Neighbour Totoro, a lovely story of two sisters who move to an old country house with their dad while their mum is in hospital. In the countryside the girls encounter friendly spirits, namely the Totoros, the Keeper of the Forests. ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and won him international acclaim all over the world.
The animation and designs are stunning and the Totoro character is just enchanting. I could definitely watch this movie again and again. And if I can, you can bet that my kids can too! They are addicted!
I would love to hear if you have any other suggestions for great family movies. Happy Friday!
- Emilie
Entry Filed under: Cultural, Entertain your Kids!, Films & DVDs
6 Comments Add your own
1. pochi | October 23rd, 2009 at 8:55 am
I love Totoro!!
Having been brought up in Japan, I watched it as a child over and over again!!! My daughter is addicted to it, too.
I would recommend other films made by Hayao Miyazaki such as Kiki’s Delivery Service and Panda Go Panda! (such a sweet little film and it was made nearly 40 years ago).
But the best film he has ever made has to be Nausicaa Valley Of The Wind. The kids will be enchanted and adults (including my English husband) just can’t stop sobbing. Although it was made in 1984, the film is about how people has been contaminating the earth and how we can actually co-exist with the nature. A very forward thinking theme as a children’s film.
Oh can I recommend another sweet little Russian animation called “Mitten” which is included as a bonus truck in the DVD called “The Adventures of Cheburashka”. Such a heart-warming story.
2. Courtney | October 23rd, 2009 at 9:44 am
I was just saying to my husband that with the afternoons getting so dark so early, ‘Movie Season’ has arrived.
And I’m getting sick of Thomas the Tank Engine, so we’ll definitely have to check it out. It looks beautiful.
xx
3. Courtney | October 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 am
p.s. Where did you buy this?
xx
4. Enkeli | October 23rd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
another great toddler movies from Studio Ghibli are Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa (Castle in the sky) and Ponyo. My 3 year od son is addicted to them. I think you could search everithing from this studio and your kids will be pleased,
5. Bibi | October 24th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Another Miyasaki movie to recommend is “Kiki’s delivery service”, the rest of his movies can be a bit frightening for small children but are also very good.
A current favourite, which I’m pretty sick of, is “Charlotte’s Web”.
6. jojoebi | October 26th, 2009 at 9:09 am
I have just stumbled across your blog and oddly enough gone through the same thing this afternoon. My 4 year old son loves Totoro and he know I have other films by Miyazaki, which he is itching to watch. Some, however are a bit scary for little ones. Spirited away has a part where her parents turn into pigs, which I know would upset my son and there are some spooky looking spirits in there too. Kiki’s delivery service is a sweet film and the new one Ponyo – his take on the little mermaid.
Grave of the fireflies is a fantastic film and was released as a double bill with Totoro, it is quite possibly the most heart wrenching film ever made, not suitable for little ones though.
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