My Neighbor Totoro, Presented by Like You Film Club

Like You Film Club presents: My Neighbor Totoro

>>TICKETS AND INFO<<

Saturday, May 9 @ the Pink Palace Giant Screen Theater
Event starts at 2:30pm
Film starts at 3:00pm

Each of our monthly screenings kicks off 30 minutes before the film, with a craft or other activity in the theater lobby. Films are introduced by filmmakers and educators, who provide special context and insight on the film, and what families can learn from its story.

Films are open to kids, families, and adults of all ages.

My Neighbor Totoro

Two sisters move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother and soon discover that the surrounding forest is alive with gentle, magical spirits called Totoros. Through quiet adventures—waiting for buses in the rain, exploring hidden paths, and flying beneath moonlit skies—the girls form a bond with these guardians of nature. When the younger sister runs away from home in a moment of fear and longing, her older sister turns to the forest spirits for help. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro is a soothing, life-affirming classic about childhood, imagination, and the comfort we find in nature and one another.

Like You Guidance:

We recommend this film for ages 4+. We provide the following commentary to help inform you about what to expect from the film. Read more in-depth guidance on the event page, or at Common Sense Media.

My Neighbor Totoro is a gentle, slow-paced animated film that centers big feelings—worry, hope, and love—within a calm and reassuring world. While the story includes moments of fear and uncertainty, it ultimately offers warmth, safety, and deep emotional comfort.

Recent research suggests that watching Studio Ghibli films like My Neighbor Totoro can evoke nostalgia and increase feelings of calm, exploration, purpose, and overall happiness—benefits tied to strengthened emotional well‑being and mental balance in viewers of all ages.

Positive Messages: 

• Imagination and wonder: The film invites viewers to find magic in simple things.
• Sibling love and resilience: Sisters support each other through fear and uncertainty.
• Hope and emotional regulation: Characters face worry with tenderness and courage.
• Connection with nature: The forest and its spirits model respect for the natural world.
• Calm and presence: The gentle pacing and quiet moments encourage mindful viewing.
• Cultural richness: The film subtly shares aspects of Japanese culture and folklore.