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The Secret World of Arrietty (2012)

tomatometer

93

Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 103
Fresh: 96 | Rotten: 7

Visually lush, refreshingly free of family-friendly clatter, and anchored with soulful depth, The Secret World of Arrietty lives up to Studio Ghibli's reputation for high-quality animated fare.

100

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 25
Fresh: 25 | Rotten: 0

Visually lush, refreshingly free of family-friendly clatter, and anchored with soulful depth, The Secret World of Arrietty lives up to Studio Ghibli's reputation for high-quality animated fare.

audience

87

liked it
Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 12,113

My Rating

Movie Info

Arrietty (Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn (David Henrie), a human boy who comes to

$6.4M

Walt Disney Pictures

Cast

All Critics (103) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (97) | Rotten (7) | DVD (1)

The Secret World of Arrietty is a marvelously captivating animated feature about very tiny people and the full-scale world they inhabit.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | Comment
Christian Science Monitor
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Yonebayashi gives Arrietty an excellent sense of balance, with the adventure aspects of the story, which feel legitimately dangerous providing well-paced contrast the film's more placid moments.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: The Atlantic | Comment
The Atlantic
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It's an enjoyable and attractive-looking film, but a little of that "Speed Racer" energy wouldn't have been such a bad thing.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Newsday | Comments (3)
Newsday
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The visual details are inventive, and the animation - particularly the colors - is lovely.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | Comment
Newark Star-Ledger
Top Critic IconTop Critic

"The Secret World of Arrietty'' is a feast for the eyes that will engage the entire family.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: New York Post | Comment
New York Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The Secret World of Arrietty is sweet fun, an astute match of exquisite style and small content.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | Comment
Globe and Mail
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Gently enchanting, an extraordinary adventure

February 22, 2012 Full Review Source: SSG Syndicate | Comment
SSG Syndicate

There may not be a frenzy of action and fast cuts but each scene has meticulous details about how the borrowers live, how they make use of the things in their environment to survive.

February 21, 2012 Full Review Source: KPBS.org | Comment
KPBS.org

Tiny people who live in the walls of a rural home are put at risk when they are discovered by the humans residing there. Studio Ghibli offers a soothing animated version of the classic children's novels.

February 21, 2012 Full Review Source: Film Journal International | Comment
Film Journal International

the basic elements of loneliness, friendship, and the fragility of life are intact, along with that ineffable sense of wonder, melancholy, and magic

February 20, 2012 Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | Comment
Killer Movie Reviews

By being less bizarre than SPIRITED AWAY and having more of a human center to the film, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is one of Studio Ghibli's best efforts to date.

February 20, 2012 Full Review Source: Mark Leeper's Reviews | Comment
Mark Leeper's Reviews

A beautiful family film based on THE BORROWERS will delight audiences of all ages

February 20, 2012 Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | Comment

The Secret World of Arrietty is an engaging and warm story of a lovely friendship that has enough action and humour to satisfy all ages, and boy, it's awfully pretty.

February 18, 2012 Full Review Source: TheDivaReview.com | Comment
TheDivaReview.com

While perfectly pleasant and an entirely suitable option for anyone looking to take small children to the movies, it is a disappointingly minor entry in the annals of Studio Ghibli...

February 18, 2012 Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | Comment (1)
Flick Filosopher

An oasis of calm in the normally hyperactive world of toon entertainment.

February 18, 2012 Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | Comment (1)
Creative Loafing

That relaxed pace allows the story to breathe—forget the franticness of most American animation—and along with the gorgeously detailed art, lush color, and swoony music...the film is all but guaranteed to entrance children.

February 18, 2012 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | Comment

How sad that such efforts rarely find the audience they deserve.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Mania.com | Comment
Mania.com

Like its title character, it's a small tale told with a lot of heart, and for those looking for a throwback to non-computer-animated films, this could be your answer. (Parental Movie Review also available)

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Screen It! | Comment
Screen It!

This could have been, and should have been, a marvelous treat for children of all ages.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Kaplan vs. Kaplan | Comments (8)
Kaplan vs. Kaplan

I loved the attention to detail in this film. In fact, it is the precise sizing of everyday objects in proportion to the Borrowers themselves that I found fascinating.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Kaplan vs. Kaplan | Comment
Kaplan vs. Kaplan

The Secret World of Arrietty is a sweet film that retains the inherent fascination of two species of different sizes trying to understand each other's worlds.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Leonard Maltin's Picks | Comment
Leonard Maltin's Picks

Deeply felt anime about loneliness and friendship.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

[A]n enjoyable and creative little film that may have you checking under the bed next time you hear something go bump in the night

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: UGO | Comment

The hand-drawn animation style is delightful.

February 17, 2012 Full Review Source: Cinemalogue.com | Comment
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Secret World of Arrietty

If you need further proof as to why computer generated animation can never replace the beauty and charm of the classic two-dimensional, hand crafted kind; see "The Secret World of Arriety." Studio Ghibli's latest is simple, sweet, and heartwarming fun that will enamor both adults and children alike. From it's fully

February 18, 2012
YLOWBSTARDreturns

Super Reviewer

"The Secret World of Arriety" is an anime tale about borrowers who live in the floorboards of peoples homes. Following the live action classic film, "The Borrowers," this film is both for the children and adults to enjoy. They take what they needs from the true-life-sized people in order to stay alive and live everyday

February 18, 2012
KJ Proulx

Super Reviewer

    1. Hara (English version): When I saw you, I just wanted to find a way to protect you.
    – Submitted by Ashley W (1 day ago)
    1. Shawn (English version): [his parting words to Arrietty] My heart is stronger now, because you're in it.
    – Submitted by Patrick D (4 days ago)
    1. The Housekeeper (English version): Alright. I'll give it a try.
    – Submitted by Razvy L (6 days ago)
    1. Arrietty (English version): We're borrowers and as long as we have each other to live, for then we'll keep on living.
    – Submitted by Jett M (6 days ago)
    1. Arrietty (English version): Borrowers aren't supposed to be seen.
    – Submitted by Chris P (15 days ago)

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Foreign Titles

  • Arrietty - Die wundersame Welt der Borger (DE)
  • Arrietty (UK)
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