Kiki's Delivery Service
Performance & Direction: Kiki's Delivery Service Review
Last updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Animation.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and Kiki's Delivery Service features a noteworthy lineup led by Minami Takayama . Supported by the likes of Rei Sakuma and Kappei Yamaguchi , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.8/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: Kiki's Delivery Service
Quick Plot Summary: Kiki's Delivery Service is a Animation, Family, Fantasy, Drama film that combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The protagonist undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Exceptional storytelling that balances entertainment with substance
- Strong performances that bring depth to the characters
- Technical excellence in cinematography, editing, and sound design
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Minor pacing issues that do not significantly detract from the experience
- A few underdeveloped subplots
Ending Explained: Kiki's Delivery Service
Ending Breakdown: Kiki's Delivery Service resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to animation resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the animation themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of Kiki's Delivery Service demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Kiki's Delivery Service?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Animation cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre storytelling
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: Kiki's Delivery Service
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $6.9M |
| Worldwide Gross | $4.5M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Kiki's Delivery Service Budget
The estimated production budget for Kiki's Delivery Service is $6.9M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Kiki's Delivery Service
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Where to Watch Kiki's Delivery Service Online?
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NetflixKiki's Delivery Service Parents Guide & Age Rating
1989 AdvisoryWondering about Kiki's Delivery Service age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Kiki's Delivery Service is 103 minutes (1h 43m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.8/10, and global performance metrics, Kiki's Delivery Service is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1989 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kiki's Delivery Service worth watching?
Kiki's Delivery Service is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies. It has a verified rating of 7.8/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Kiki's Delivery Service parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Kiki's Delivery Service identifies it as G. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Kiki's Delivery Service?
The total duration of Kiki's Delivery Service is 103 minutes, which is approximately 1h 43m long.
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Critic Reviews for Kiki's Delivery Service
When watching films by Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli a number of adjectives come immediately to mind; imaginative, wholesome, and quirky, to name a few. And there is perhaps no more quirky Ghibli film than _Kiki's Delivery Service_. Fundamentally, _Kiki's Delivery Service_ is a coming of age film, telling the story of 13-year-old trainee witch Kiki who leaves home with her cat Jiji to continue her training. Arriving in a far-off European city, Kiki starts a flying delivery business, couriering goods around the town, which catches the eye of aviation-obsessed Tombo, who is immediately smitten by her flying. One of the big draws of Ghibli is the simplicity of the stories, making them hugely accessible for the audience. In Kiki's Delivery Service we must just accept that there are "some" witches and even though people will possibly never see one, they are not feared. In fact, the only fear in Kiki's Delivery Service comes from Kiki's own self-doubt. Considering, then, that Japan is far more conservative than the West - especially when it comes to family values - it is quite bizarre that one conservative Christian group in America took the decision to boycott the film solely for the purpose of glamorising witches. But really, Kiki being a witch is completely secondary to the film. In some ways it could be argued that Kiki being a witch is simply another excuse for director Hayao Miyazaki to view another Ghibli world from the sky, allowing his team of animators to draw some of the most beautiful landscapes in animation. In addition, it allows Kiki's comic foil to be a talking cat (who, in the English dub, is voiced by the instantly vocally recognisable Phil Hartman, who you may remember from such shows as _The Simpsons_, where he plays Troy McClure). As well as dominating most of the film's funnier moments, Jiji also depicts Kiki's transition from innocence. Despite all of this marshmallowy innocence, _Kiki's Delivery Service_ is still a quirk. The plot is littered with unanswered questions - what happened to the other flying witch who was returning home? - and the final act involving the dirigible is, frankly, too overdramatic and out-of-place with the rest of the down-to-earth storyline. Still, it is perfectly enjoyable, and while it isn't necessarily the first Ghibli I would recommend, it is still one that you should see.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.









