Princess Mononoke (1997)
Film · Adventure, Fantasy, Animation
Stream itif you want an epic, morally complex fantasy that trades whimsy for visceral intensity and mythic weight.
A visceral and heavy animated masterpiece that treats the conflict between nature and industry with mythic gravity and intense violence. It is an awe-inspiring but often brutal watch, best for those seeking a serious story with massive visual scale.
What it is about
Ashitaka, a prince of the disappearing Emishi people, is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. Along the way, he encounters San, a young human woman fighting to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, who is trying to destroy it. Ashitaka must find a way to bring balance to this conflict.
Trailer
What Princess Mononoke is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this is a grand and punishing experience. It moves with a deliberate, sweeping pace that shifts between moments of quiet, lush natural beauty and sequences of shocking, limb-severing violence. The animation is dense and tactile, grounding its fantastical elements in a world that feels physically heavy and dangerously alive. It carries a sense of ancient gravity, eschewing easy answers for a relentless, blood-soaked struggle between competing ideologies.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential for viewers who appreciate animation as a serious medium for complex themes and high-stakes drama. It is not for children or those seeking a light, comforting escape; the imagery is often grotesque and the tone is frequently grim. A notable caveat is that the film rejects the clear hero-villain dynamic typical of the genre, which may frustrate those looking for a simple moral resolution or a straightforward victory.
The right evening for it
It suits a dedicated evening when you have the mental space for a long, taxing journey. It is best watched on the largest screen available to fully absorb the staggering detail and scale of its world-building.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Official Trailer [Subtitled]
How Princess Mononoke leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
It leaves you feeling wrung out and thoughtful, carrying the weight of a world where progress and preservation are in constant, bloody friction. You will likely feel a somber awe.
How Princess Mononoke ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
The film ends with Ashitaka and San pursuing Jigo to recover the Forest Spirit’s head. As the Nightwalker’s expanding body destroys the forest and Irontown, the pair manages to return the head just as the sun rises. The Nightwalker dissolves, and its death causes the devastated landscape to be instantly renewed with new plant life. The curse on Ashitaka's arm is finally lifted, and he decides to stay and help a repentant Lady Eboshi rebuild Irontown as a better settlement.
This resolution leaves the two protagonists in separate worlds. While San confesses her love for Ashitaka, she cannot bring herself to forgive humanity and chooses to remain in the forest. They part with a promise to visit one another, leaving the conflict between the human world and the wild in a state of fragile peace.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
the same environmental focus and post-apocalyptic myth-making
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
stunning traditional artistry used to convey deep emotional and spiritual weight
Akira (1988)
visceral animation that balances epic scale with intense body horror
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More clips
Trailer · Ghibli Fest 2023 Trailer
Trailer · Princess Mononoke 25th Anniversary - In Cinemas July 14
Trailer · Vintage Trailer
Princess Mononoke soundtrack
Music by Joe Hisaishi
- 1The Legend of Ashitaka
- 2The Demon God
- 3The Journey to the West
- 4The Demon Power
- 5The Land of the Impure
- 6The Encounter
- 7Kodamas
- 8The Forest of the Gods
- 9Evening at the Ironworks
- 10The Demon God II - The Lost Mountains
Album and songs from Apple Music.
Awards
Awards and nominationsShow
- Won: Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year · 1998
- Won: Animation Kobe Theatrical Film Award · 1997
- Nominated: Nebula Award for Best Script · Neil Gaiman · 2001
- Nominated: International Submission to the Academy Awards · 1998
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is Princess Mononoke an epic film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Epic. A visceral and heavy animated masterpiece that treats the conflict between nature and industry with mythic gravity and intense violence. It is an awe-inspiring but often brutal watch, best for those seeking a serious story with massive visual scale.
- How long is Princess Mononoke?
- Princess Mononoke runs 134 min and was released in 1997.
- Where can I watch Princess Mononoke in the UK?
- In the UK, Princess Mononoke is included with Netflix (all plans).
- Who composed the music for Princess Mononoke?
- The music for Princess Mononoke is by Joe Hisaishi. The soundtrack album, Princess Mononoke (Original Soundtrack), has 33 tracks.
- What songs are on the Princess Mononoke soundtrack?
- Princess Mononoke (Original Soundtrack) has 33 tracks, including “The Legend of Ashitaka”, “The Demon God”, “The Journey to the West”, “The Demon Power” and “The Land of the Impure”, and more. It is on Apple Music.
- Is Princess Mononoke worth watching?
- Stream it: if you want an epic, morally complex fantasy that trades whimsy for visceral intensity and mythic weight. IMDb users rate it 8.3 out of 10 from 477,867 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 93%, Metacritic 78 and TMDB users 8.3.
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