My Neighbor Totoro: parents' guide
Best for ages 4 and up. Rated G.
A gentle, magical Studio Ghibli classic that is ideal for young children and the whole family. Two sisters move to the countryside while their mother recovers in the hospital, and they befriend Totoro, a giant, cuddly forest spirit. There is no villain and no violence. The tensest moments come when the younger girl goes missing and villagers fear she drowned, and when the sisters worry their mother might die; both end happily. A family bath scene includes brief non-sexual nudity. Fine for most kids 4 and up, though very sensitive preschoolers may need a hug when Totoro first roars.
What's in it
Violence
NoneNo violence. The only rough moment is a mother scolding her son and cuffing him on the head.
Language
NoneNo profanity, just a couple of mild insults like 'fool' and, in some versions, 'jerk.'
Sex and nudity
MildNothing sexual. A father bathes with his daughters in a traditional tub, with a fleeting glimpse of bare buttocks, and a neighbor boy has a shy crush on the older sister.
Drinking, drugs and smoking
NoneNo drinking, smoking or drug use.
Scary or intense scenes
MildBig forest spirits growl and loom over the girls before turning out to be friendly, and soot sprites startle them. A lost child, a sandal found in a pond and worry over their sick mother bring tears, but everything resolves happily.
On our lists
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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, bbfc.co.uk. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.