The terrible story of two orphaned Japanese kids during the ending of WWII. Incredibly well told and totally moving, without using clichés. A must seen in the anime arena.…
8.4/10Animation · Drama · War
Grave of the Fireflies
“Why do fireflies have to die so soon?”
- 1988
- 1h 29m
- NR
- JA
- Released
The story
What Grave of the Fireflies is about
In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. After a falling out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and their emergency rations depleted, Seita and Setsuko struggle to survive.
Grave of the Fireflies is an animation, drama and war film from 1988, directed by Isao Takahata. It runs 1h 29m and is rated NR in the US. It was produced by Studio Ghibli, with production in Japan.
The main cast is led by Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi. The screenplay was written by Isao Takahata. Reported worldwide gross stands at $5.0M.
Why it matters: Grave of the Fireflies currently holds 8.4/10 from 6935 TMDB user ratings and has taken $5.0M worldwide against a $3.7M budget. Figures move as more ratings and box-office updates arrive.
Editor’s note
Should you watch Grave of the Fireflies?
Grave of the Fireflies is best suited to a family evening. At 1h 29m, it fits a single evening without a break. The draw is Tsutomu Tatsumi and Ayano Shiraishi, directed by Isao Takahata.
With 6,935 TMDB ratings averaging 8.4/10, this is one of the most widely seen titles in our library, so the score is a reliable signal.
TMDB tags the film with themes including sibling relationship, hunger, world war ii and wartime.
The US certification is NR: not rated in the US, so check the content before watching with children.
If you like this, try Schindler's List, Your Name. or Oppenheimer.
Auto-generated from TMDB data (runtime, cast, ratings, keywords, certification). Last updated November 4, 2026.
Availability
Where to watch Grave of the Fireflies
18 official sources across 5 regions. Rows with a direct link open this exact title on the provider’s own site; the others open that provider’s own search for the title, where price, video quality and audio options are confirmed before you pay.
Best option now
Watch on Netflix ↗
Netflix
Included with a Netflix subscription, no extra charge · United States
United States4 options
United Kingdom8 options
Canada2 options
Australia3 options
India1 option
Checked 4 November 2026. Listings from TMDB / JustWatch data and they change daily; the provider page always shows the final price. Compare every option on JustWatch. MovieState links only to licensed services.
Who is in it
Grave of the Fireflies cast
Tsutomu TatsumiSeita (voice)
Ayano ShiraishiSetsuko (voice)
Yoshiko ShinoharaMother (voice)Character names follow the film's credits. Open a name to see that person's other work on MovieState.
Behind the camera
Direction and crew
DirectorIsao Takahata
WritersIsao Takahata
ProducersTooru Hara
MusicMichio Mamiya
CinematographyNobuo Koyama
EditingTakeshi Seyama
Audience reaction
Ratings and reviews
8.4/106935 ratings
Grave of the Fireflies sits at 8.4 out of 10 from 6935 user ratings. For context, the film's worldwide gross is $5.0M.
Scores show TMDB user ratings at the time of publishing and shift as new votes arrive.
This was the first animated movie that made me cry as an adult. It still does. Two children are left as orphans in World War 2 and have to survive. Such a basic premise, but this shows intimately what the effects of war are on children (a topic not covered by other movies). And as it's about children, it has mo…
The facts
Grave of the Fireflies key details
| Original title | Grave of the Fireflies |
|---|---|
| Status | Released |
| Release date | August 12, 2018 |
| Runtime | 1h 29m |
| Certification | NR in United States, 12A in United Kingdom |
| Original language | JA |
| Spoken languages | Japanese |
| Country | Japan |
| Budget | $3.7M |
| Worldwide gross | $5.0M |
| Studios | Studio Ghibli |
| Also known as | 再见萤火虫, Die letzten Leuchtkäfer, 再見螢火蟲 |
Release information
Release dates by country
| Country | Date | Cert |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Jun 2, 1993 | NR |
| United Kingdom | Aug 1, 2004 | 12A |
| Canada | Jul 8, 2025 | PG |
| Australia | Sep 2, 1991 | M |
| AS | Sep 15, 2024 | NR |
| Austria | Sep 16, 2024 | NR |
| Brazil | Jul 26, 1989 | 14 |
| Croatia | Sep 16, 2024 | NR |
| France | Jun 19, 1996 | TP |
| GU | Sep 16, 2024 | NR |
Official trailer for Grave of the Fireflies, via GKIDS Films. Open on YouTube
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Who directed Grave of the Fireflies?
Grave of the Fireflies was directed by Isao Takahata.
Who is in the cast of Grave of the Fireflies?
The main cast includes Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi, Masayo Sakai.
How long is Grave of the Fireflies?
Grave of the Fireflies runs 1h 29m.
When was Grave of the Fireflies released?
It was released in the United States on August 12, 2018. Release dates vary by country — see the table above.
What is Grave of the Fireflies rated?
Certification depends on the country: NR in United States, 12A in United Kingdom. Always check your local rating before watching with family.
Where can I watch Grave of the Fireflies online?
Availability changes by region and by week. The table above lists the streaming, rental and purchase services reported for major markets. Check the provider page for today's price and quality.
Can I watch Grave of the Fireflies in HD or 4K?
Most digital stores offer Grave of the Fireflies in HD, and newer releases are often available in 4K. Check the quality label on the provider's page before you pay.
How much did Grave of the Fireflies earn?
Reported worldwide gross is $5.0M against a budget of $3.7M. Box office figures update over time.
Keep watching
More films like Grave of the Fireflies
Data sources: TMDB (titles, cast, crew, release dates, provider listings and user ratings). Availability and box office figures change over time; this page was last rebuilt on November 4, 2026. We publish information only; we do not host or stream video files.
Exact record pages: IMDb record · TMDB record · Official site
At a glance: Grave of the Fireflies runs 1h 29m, opened in US cinemas on August 12, 2018, has 18 licensed options across 5 regions tracked here.