Howl's Moving Castle poster

Howl's Moving Castle

2004119 minutesPG
4.8
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
8.2IMDb
🍅 88%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 82/100Metacritic
🎬 8.4TMDb
📊 11.2Popularity
🏆Nominated for 1 Oscar. 14 wins & 20 nominations total
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Written by: Hayao Miyazaki, Diana Wynne Jones
A love story between an 18-year-old girl named Sophie, cursed by a witch into an old woman's body, and a magician named Howl. Under the curse, Sophie sets out to seek her fortune, which takes her to Howl's strange moving castle. In the castle, Sophie meets Howl's fire demon, named Karishifâ. Seeing that she is under a curse, the demon makes a deal with Sophie--if she breaks the contract he is under with Howl, then Karushifâ will lift the curse that Sophie is under, and she will return to her 18-year-old shape.

Box Office

Budget:$24.0M
Revenue:$236.0M
Profit:$212.0M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision6.4/10
Emotional Arc Impact1/10
Thematic Consistency7/10
Overall Score4.8/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

Howl's Moving Castle Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
10 min
4
Catalyst
15 min
5
Debate
25 min
6
Break Into Two
35 min
7
B Story
45 min
8
Fun and Games
60 min
9
Midpoint
80 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
95 min
11
All Is Lost
105 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
110 min
13
Break Into Three
115 min
14
Finale
118 min
15
Final Image
119 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Sophie, a young hatmaker, leads a quiet, structured life in her small town. Her mundane routine contrasts with the magical world looming nearby.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

Themes of self-confidence, inner beauty, love, and the destructive nature of war are hinted at. Sophie’s reflection on her life foreshadows transformation.

#3

Set-Up

10 min

Sophie meets the mysterious Wizard Howl in town. Their brief encounter and Howl's reputation introduce the magical elements and conflict with the Witch of the Waste.

#4

Catalyst

15 min

The Witch of the Waste curses Sophie, turning her into an old woman. Sophie leaves home to seek Howl's castle and a solution to the curse.

#5

Debate

25 min

Sophie questions her abilities and worth. Can she survive in Howl's chaotic castle and the larger world while seeking a way to break the curse?

#6

Break Into Two

35 min

Sophie enters Howl’s Moving Castle, meeting Calcifer, the fire demon, and the castle’s magical environment. She begins adapting to the magical world and asserting herself.

#7

B Story

45 min

Sophie grows close to Howl and Calcifer, discovering the truth behind Howl's powers and the war surrounding them. She begins to develop courage and independence.

#8

Fun and Games

60 min

Magical adventures, quirky castle antics, and interactions with townsfolk unfold. Sophie uses cleverness and empathy to manage challenges and help Howl and Calcifer.

#9

Midpoint

80 min

Howl is forced to confront the war. Sophie fully accepts responsibility and becomes proactive, showing confidence and leadership. Stakes escalate as the war intensifies.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

95 min

The Witch of the Waste attacks and the war threatens Howl and Sophie. Challenges intensify, and Sophie struggles to protect herself and those she cares about.

#11

All Is Lost

105 min

Howl is severely wounded, and Sophie fears she has failed. The castle is at risk, and Calcifer is weakened, threatening the magical balance.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

110 min

Sophie contemplates love, sacrifice, and self-worth. She realizes that her courage and compassion can break the curse and save Howl.

#13

Break Into Three

115 min

Sophie confronts the Witch of the Waste, uses her wits to protect Howl, and collaborates with Calcifer to restore the castle’s stability.

#14

Finale

118 min

Sophie breaks her curse, Howl overcomes his fears, the castle stabilizes, and the war is mitigated. Love, courage, and magic harmonize.

#15

Final Image

119 min

Sophie and Howl walk together, confident and free. The castle floats peacefully, and the characters reflect growth, love, and triumph over adversity.