agmtw logo
search

My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

7.5

A sweet and humorous series of vignettes about a modern-day Japanese family

Movie

Japan
Japanese
Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family
1999

What it's about

The Yamadas are a typical middle class Japanese family in urban Tokyo and this film shows us a variety of episodes of their lives. With tales that range from the humorous to the heartbreaking, we see this family cope with life's little conflicts, problems, and joys in their own way.

The take

One of Studio Ghibli’s overlooked gems, My Neighbors the Yamadas is a charming anthology film about a modern-day Japanese family. The film sets itself apart from other Ghibli films through its unique doodle-like watercolor animation and its short piano themes. While the vignettes may just depict regular family conflicts, the scenes still feel compelling due to the Yamadas’ imagination of the metaphors that they use. Exaggerating the metaphors keeps the audience breathless in certain strategic moments - most notably in the wedding day speech of the mother of the bride. While not as fantastical as Ghibli’s other offerings, the completely digital My Neighbors the Yamadas finds humor in and celebrates the mundane.

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

Anora (2024)

An exciting and heartbreaking fairy tale with a modern, class-centric twist

9.0

My Old Ass (2024)

A pleasant mix of comedy and coming-of-age that may or may not leave you in tears

8.0

A Real Pain (2024)

Two cousins bond as they trace their roots in this powerfully emotional dramedy

8.0

Laapataa Ladies (2024)

Two brides are accidentally swapped in this refreshing comedy of errors

8.4

Look Back (2024)

Art connects people through time and space in this short and sweet drama

8.5

His Three Daughters (2024)

Three sisters deal with life and death in this moving family portrait

8.2

Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

Three guys grow up and fall in love in this entertaining and balanced ensemble romcom

7.5

I Lost My Body (2019)

The Oscar-nominated unconventional animation

8.2

Flow (2024)

We can learn a thing or two from this animal tale of selflessness and survival

8.0

Wild Tales (2014)

Co-produced by Pedro Almodóvar, this tumultuous Argentine anthology film tests the limits of human sanity when pushed to the extremes – and will also test yours.

9.9

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2025 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.