Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s get started!

Princess Mononoke

1997

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Princess Mononoke stands as one of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki’s most acclaimed and influential films. Released in 1997, this epic fantasy adventure plunges viewers into a mythical version of medieval Japan, where gods, spirits, humans, and animals clash over the fate of the natural world.

Miyazaki spent over a decade developing Princess Mononoke before bringing his ambitious vision to life with the talented artists at Studio Ghibli. The hand-drawn animation is simply breathtaking, seamlessly blending traditional techniques with pioneering digital effects. Princess Mononoke was the most expensive animation ever produced in Japan at the time, with a budget of over $20 million, and the care that went into it shows in every exquisitely detailed frame.

The film follows Prince Ashitaka, voiced by Billy Crudup in the English version, who becomes cursed while defending his village from a maddened boar god. To find a cure, he ventures west into forbidden lands where he gets caught between Lady Eboshi, voiced by Minnie Driver in the English dub, and the wolf princess San, voiced by Claire Danes.

Lady Eboshi leads Iron Town, a refuge for outcasts where forests are clearcut to fuel her ironworks. San fiercely defends the forest and its animal gods against the encroaching humans alongside her wolf brothers and mother Moro, voiced by Gillian Anderson. The complex conflict has no clear heroes or villains, only people fighting for their own survival and values.

Princess Mononoke tackles ambitious themes like environmentalism, industrialization and the relationship between humanity and nature. The morally ambiguous characters and nuanced story resonate as strongly today as they did nearly 30 years ago. Miyazaki’s imaginative world-building and subtly provocative ideas create an unforgettable viewing experience.

From its groundbreaking animation to its thought-provoking story, Princess Mononoke stands as a modern animated classic. Miyazaki fans and newcomers alike should immerse themselves in its magic and Majesty. Over two decades later, this film still feels epic, timeless and impactful. Princess Mononoke absolutely deserves its revered place in animation history.