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Animation · Drama · War · 1h 29m · 1988

Grave of the Fireflies

★ 8.4 / 10 · 6,840 votes JA
Grave of the Fireflies poster ▶ Watch trailer

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.

Directed by Isao Takahata Starring Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi, Masayo Sakai
AnimationDramaWar
First releaseApr 16, 1988
Score8.4 / 10
Length1h 29m
LanguageJA

Trailer

Release rollout

Grave of the Fireflies opened first in Ireland, Japan and Portugal on April 16, 1988. The rollout continued across 18 countries, finishing in Germany on June 30, 2026. In the United States, it arrived in theaters on July 26, 1989. A digital release followed on December 1, 2019.

Release dates by country

IrelandApr 16, 1988
JapanApr 16, 1988
PortugalApr 16, 1988
BrazilJul 26, 1989
United StatesJul 26, 1989
FranceJun 19, 1996
SpainOct 10, 2003
MexicoJan 20, 2012
United KingdomMay 24, 2013
PolandJan 24, 2014
South KoreaJun 19, 2014
ItalyNov 10, 2015
TaiwanJul 8, 2022
PAMar 6, 2025
PRAug 10, 2025
CroatiaAug 28, 2025
Show all 20 countries
NetherlandsAug 28, 2025
IndonesiaAug 29, 2025
VietnamNov 7, 2025
GermanyJun 30, 2026

Frequently asked questions

When does Grave of the Fireflies come out?

Grave of the Fireflies was released on April 16, 1988.

When does Grave of the Fireflies come out in United States?

Grave of the Fireflies was released in United States on July 26, 1989.

When does Grave of the Fireflies come out in United Kingdom?

Grave of the Fireflies was released in United Kingdom on May 24, 2013.

When does Grave of the Fireflies come out in Germany?

Grave of the Fireflies was released in Germany on June 30, 2026.

When will Grave of the Fireflies be available on streaming or digital?

Grave of the Fireflies became available on digital platforms on December 1, 2019.

Who directed Grave of the Fireflies?

Grave of the Fireflies was directed by Isao Takahata.

How long is Grave of the Fireflies?

Grave of the Fireflies has a runtime of 1h 29m.

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