Very loosely based on a British novel from 1986, the film is set in the lovingly rendered steampunk world of Ingary, and follows sweet but insecure young hatter Sophie, who is cursed by a witch to be 90 years old.
Most famous for providing the Ghibli universe with its hottest hunk in the beefy, long-haired title character, “Howl’s Moving Castle” is Miyazaki’s least magical adventure. But it’s still pretty darn magical. Very loosely based on a British novel from 1986, the film is set in the lovingly rendered steampunk world of Ingary, and follows sweet but insecure young hatter Sophie, who is cursed by a witch to be 90 years old. Looking for a way to break the curse, she ends up working as a cleaning lady for Howl in his castle, as the wizard seeks to end a raging war dividing the land.