Castle in the Sky (1986)

Castle in the Sky (Laputa) — 1986 What it’s about: When a down-on-his-luck orphan boy named Pazu rescues a mysterious girl who falls from the sky, the two are swept into a fast, high-flying adventure. Sheeta carries a glowing crystal pendant that links her to the legendary floating island of Laputa, and soon Pazu and Sheeta are pursued by sky pirates, secret agents, and a ruthless government officer who all want the island’s secrets and treasure. As they race toward Laputa aboard rickety airships and through clouds full of danger, they uncover the sky city’s ancient wonders and the darker consequences of its lost technology. What you’ll experience watching it: a rollicking blend of action, wonder and heart. The film pairs energetic, suspenseful set pieces — airship chases, clever escapes and tense confrontations — with moments of quiet friendship and discovery. Visually it’s a feast of hand-drawn animation: sweeping aerial vistas, intricate flying machines, and a haunting, mysterious floating city. The score swells with the adventure and emotional beats, making the highs feel exhilarating and the quieter revelations genuinely moving. Tone and themes: equal parts boy-and-girl adventure and thoughtful fable. It’s joyful and imaginative but also warns about greed and the corrupting influence of unchecked power and technology. At its center is the growing bond between Pazu and Sheeta — a simple, earnest friendship that grounds the fantasy and gives the story its heart. Who will enjoy it: fans of classic animated adventure, anyone who loves imaginative worldbuilding and soaring action, and viewers who appreciate stories that balance spectacle with emotional depth. It’s family-friendly but has enough dramatic stakes and thematic weight to engage older viewers as well.

Actors: Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Runtime: 125 min

Genres: Adventure, Animation, Drama

7.5 /10 78 /100 8.0 /10 7.8 /10