Grave of the Fireflies poster

Grave of the Fireflies

Why do fireflies have to die so soon?

8.5(6,899)19881h 29m0

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.

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Status
Released
Budget
$3.7M
Box office
$842.1K
Language
Japanese
  • sibling relationship
  • hunger
  • world war ii
  • wartime
  • shelter
  • struggle for survival
  • brother sister 
  • pacific theater
  • adult animation
  • semi autobiographical
  • anti war
  • anime

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

Japan

Where to watch

All options

Availability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

Still from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the FirefliesStill from Grave of the Fireflies

Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PhysicalNRVHS2 Jun 1993
    • PhysicalNRVHS (English dubbed)1 Sept 1998
    • PhysicalNRDVD (Dual Language)7 Oct 1998
    • PhysicalNRDVD (Collector's Series)8 Oct 2002
    • PhysicalNRDVD7 Dec 2004
    • PhysicalPGDVD7 Jul 2009
    • PhysicalPGDVD (Remastered Edition)6 Mar 2012
    • PhysicalPGBlu-ray (Remastered Edition)20 Nov 2012
    • TheatricalNRStudio Ghibli Fest12 Aug 2018
    • PhysicalPGBlu-ray (SteelBook)11 Feb 2020
    • Digital / OTTPG-13Netflix16 Sept 2024
    • PhysicalNRGKids Blu-ray (regular and SteelBook)8 Jul 2025
    • TheatricalNRStudio Ghibli Fest10 Aug 2025
  • United KingdomGB

    • Physical12A1 Aug 2004
    • Theatrical12A25th anniversary re-release24 May 2013
    • Digital / OTTNetflix16 Sept 2024
  • AustraliaAU

    • PhysicalMVHS2 Sept 1991
  • CanadaCA

    • PhysicalPGBlu-ray & DVD Steelbook8 Jul 2025
  • American SamoaAS

    • Digital / OTTNetflix15 Sept 2024
  • AustriaAT

    • Digital / OTTNetflix16 Sept 2024
  • BrazilBR

    • Theatrical1426 Jul 1989
    • TheatricalRelançamento20 Aug 2026
  • CroatiaHR

    • Digital / OTTNetflix16 Sept 2024
    • Theatrical28 Aug 2025
  • FranceFR

    • TheatricalTP19 Jun 1996
    • PhysicalDVD6 Dec 2000
    • PhysicalBlu-ray15 Nov 2017
    • Digital / OTT1 Dec 2019
    • Digital / OTTNetflix16 Sept 2024
    • TheatricalTP1 Jul 2026
  • GermanyDE

    • Physical6VHS17 May 2002
    • Physical6DVD27 Aug 2002
    • Physical6Blu-ray27 Sept 2013
    • Digital / OTT12Netflix16 Sept 2024
    • Theatrical6Re-release30 Jun 2026
  • GuamGU

    • Digital / OTTNetflix16 Sept 2024
  • IndonesiaID

    • Theatrical29 Aug 2025

Frequently asked questions

Grave of the Fireflies was released on 16 April 1988.

Audience reviews

3
  • A

    Andres Gomez

    1/4/2013

    9/10

    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.

  • S

    sykobanana

    5/17/2020

    10/10

    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 more of an emotional impact. Described as one of the greatest war movies of all time by Roger Ebert…

  • A

    Alunauwie

    9/30/2025

    10/10

    Grave of the Fireflies masterfully portrays the human cost of war through a deeply emotional and well-structured narrative. With powerful animation, moving performances, and a haunting soundtrack, the film delivers a timeless and heart-wrenching message about loss, survival, and humanity. It's a must-watch war film that emphasizes empathy over action. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com…

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