Spirited Away

Year: 2002

Runtime: 125 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

AdventureFantasyAnimationFamily

While moving to a new neighborhood, young Chihiro’s family stumbles upon an abandoned amusement park. When her parents are mysteriously transformed into pigs, Chihiro finds herself trapped in a magical world of spirits and monsters. To save them and return to the human world, she takes a job at a bathhouse for the gods, encountering a host of unforgettable creatures and facing challenging trials along the way.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Spirited Away yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Spirited Away (2002)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Spirited Away (2002). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Location

Abandoned Amusement Park, Bathhouse, Kohaku River

The story unfolds in an abandoned amusement park that serves as a bridge to the spirit world, marked by eerie beauty and forgotten joy. Central to the narrative is a grand bathhouse, a mystical place where spirits gather to cleanse themselves, overseen by the powerful witch Yubaba. The Kohaku River, a vital locale, symbolizes Chihiro's connection to Haku and her past, embodying themes of nature and rebirth.

🏞️ Nature 🏰 Fantasy

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:21

Main Characters – Spirited Away (2002)

Meet the key characters of Spirited Away (2002), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:21

Major Themes – Spirited Away (2002)

Explore the central themes of Spirited Away (2002), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:21

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Magical Spirit Worlds like Spirited Away

Characters venture into strange, beautiful, and often perilous spirit realms.Discover movies like Spirited Away that feature immersive journeys into mystical spirit realms. These similar fantasy stories are filled with wonder-filled, dreamlike settings and characters who must navigate magical worlds, offering an experience of strange and whimsical adventure.

dreamlikemagicalwonder-filledstrangeimmersiveanxioushopeful

Narrative Summary

The narrative often begins with an ordinary character crossing a threshold into a hidden magical world. They must adapt to its rules, often taking on a role within its society, to accomplish a goal like a rescue or a personal quest. The plot unfolds through encounters with unique inhabitants and navigating the world's inherent dangers and wonders.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on richly-imagined, self-contained spirit worlds that feel both magical and tangible. They create a sense of immersion and wonder, balanced with the protagonist's journey of adaptation and problem-solving in a land of strange rules and mythical beings.

Coming-of-Age Fantasy Movies like Spirited Away

Young protagonists find courage and identity through challenges in a fantastical setting.If you liked Chihiro's journey in Spirited Away, explore these movies with similar coming-of-age stories set in fantastical worlds. These films share themes of personal courage, identity, and resilience, where young heroes face magical trials and embark on immersive rescue missions.

hopefulanxiousimmersivecoming-of-agecourageresiliencetransformative

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a young protagonist who is suddenly separated from their normal life and must confront a series of challenges in a strange world. Their journey is one of self-discovery, where they learn to be courageous, resourceful, and compassionate, often to save someone they love, ultimately returning home transformed by their experiences.

Why These Movies?

This group shares a core emotional journey: a child's transformation through adversity in a fantastical context. The combination of medium emotional weight, a steady pace of problem-solving, and a ultimately happy, hopeful ending creates a specific and resonant pattern of growth-through-wonder.

Unlock the Full Story of Spirited Away

Don't stop at just watching — explore Spirited Away in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Spirited Away is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Spirited Away Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Spirited Away, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Spirited Away Timeline

Track the full timeline of Spirited Away with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Spirited Away Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Spirited Away that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Spirited Away

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Spirited Away: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Spirited Away

Discover movies like Spirited Away that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.