The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) — Adventure / Animation / Family Overview: Tiny, resourceful Borrowers live hidden beneath the floorboards of an ordinary house, surviving by borrowing small objects from the human inhabitants. Fourteen-year-old Arrietty is brave and curious, eager to prove herself on her first outing with her father. Her carefully sheltered life changes when a sick, lonely boy named Shô (Shawn) discovers her in the garden, setting off a delicate, tentative friendship that threatens the Clocks’ secrecy and safety. What you’ll experience: A quietly beautiful, warmly paced animated tale that blends gentle adventure with heartfelt emotion. The film invites you into a meticulously detailed miniature world—every blade of grass and cast-off trinket is rendered with loving attention—so viewers feel the wonder and risks of life at a tiny scale. Expect tender moments of friendship and family, moments of suspense as the Borrowers face the danger of discovery, and a bittersweet, reflective tone that lingers after the credits. It’s family-friendly but emotionally rich, offering both younger viewers and adults thoughtful themes about trust, belonging, and the fragile balance between worlds. Who it’s for: Fans of intimate, visually lush animation and character-driven stories will enjoy this; families, lovers of gentle fantasy, and anyone who appreciates a moving, beautifully crafted film experience.

Actors: Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Mirai Shida

Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Runtime: 94 min

Genres: Adventure, Animation, Family

7.2 /10 80 /100 7.6 /10 7.6 /10