Earwig and the Witch

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1:52

Earwig and the Witch

PG

2021

1h 23m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Animation

Adventure

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.

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Critics Consensus

With a story as uninspired as its animation, Earwig and the Witch is a surprising -- and near-total -- misfire for Studio Ghibli.

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Kate Stables

Sight & Sound

May 28, 2026

A little more disturbance would have been just the thing.

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Roxana Hadadi

Chesapeake Family Magazine

Sep 28, 2021

Earwig and the Witch never finds the right tone, never really develops its characters, and never reaches the high standard of a Studio Ghibli production. It's profoundly skippable.

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John Nugent

Empire Magazine

Jun 28, 2021

3/5

It's clearly aimed to appeal to kids more than grown-ups, but there is just the right amount of spark to hold everyone's attention.

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James Profetto

Reel James (YouTube)

Jul 7, 2026

3/10

This is a prime example of what not to do with an animated movie. It might look good, but it needs to have a concrete story, which is missing from 'Earwig and the Witch.'

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 13, 2026

2/4

Largely ugly and off-putting.

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Zach Pope

Zach Pope Reviews

Jul 26, 2023

Earwig is a great character but that’s really all it has going for it... don’t even get me started on the the ending too

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Skye

Feb 18, 2021

Fantastic movie, I really do hope theres another! If not, Ill just have to rewatch again and again like my other classic Studio Ghibli favorites.

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Shaun B

Feb 8, 2021

I enjoyed where the story was headed but it ended so abruptly and suddenly, i almost wonder if i got the view the full movie

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Krista E

Feb 7, 2021

it's a cute-ish movie, but it's not on par for Studio Ghibli.

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Caleb

Feb 7, 2021

Yes, there are points where the CGI isn't the greatest. However, if you can get past that this was a great movie. I haven't laughed as hard as I did watching it in years! The ending is one to leave you in tears as well!

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Lizzy

Feb 7, 2021

Not in English!!!!!!! Worst movie

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Derek

Feb 7, 2021

Was disappointed the movie was not in English like the trailer. My daughter, who can't read, had a hard time understanding what was happening. Otherwise, the movie was great.

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Goro Miyazaki

Director

Richard E. Grant

The Mandrake

Kacey Musgraves

Earwig's Mother

Dan Stevens

Thomas

Taylor Henderson

Earwig

Vanessa Marshall

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Earwig and the Witch: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.

Director: Goro Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Screenwriter: Keiko Niwa, Emi Gunji
Distributor: GKIDS
Production Co: NHK, Shirogumi
Rating: PG (Rude Material|Some Scary Images)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $168.1K
Runtime: 1h 23m

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