Oscar Winner Michael B. Jordan Says This 94% Fresh Masterpiece Is His Favorite Movie

On Sunday evening, Michael B. Jordan won his first Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Ryan Coogler's horror film, Sinners.

The movie was nominated a record 16 times and took home four awards, including those for screenplay and cinematography.

However, when asked after the ceremony about his favorite film, Michael B. Jordan didn't mention his own work or any Hollywood blockbuster.

Michael B. Jordan's Favorite Movie Is Hayao Miyazaki's 'Princess Mononoke'

After some thought, Jordan admitted that his favorite is Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke – the legendary 1997 anime that remains one of the greatest masterpieces of Japanese animation.

Princess Mononoke is more than just an anime – it's a profound philosophical statement about nature, war, and human greed that remains relevant a quarter of a century later.

There are clear parallels between Sinners and Princess Mononoke – both explore the theme of humanity's clash with the dark forces it has created.

What Is 'Princess Mononoke' About?

The young Prince Ashitaka defends his village from a demon: a huge, malicious boar. After slaying the beast, he is cursed with a deadly affliction that will slowly kill him. An old witch prophesizes that he can only change his fate by traveling west to the birthplace of evil.

During his travels, Ashitaka arrives in a strange land where the cruel Lady Eboshi and her people are destroying the forest and fighting spirits, demons, and giant creatures.

There, he meets Princess Mononoke, a girl raised by a she-wolf who leads the beasts in their fight against humans.

'Princess Mononoke' Is One of Hayao Miyazaki's Finest Works

A spiritual successor to Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke is a fantasy epic in which environmental themes take center stage. In this anime, evil isn't an abstract force, but rather a direct consequence of human activity and the pursuit of progress at any cost.

Miyazaki doesn't divide the world into black and white: Lady Eboshi is cruel, yet her town provides refuge for lepers and prostitutes. Princess Mononoke is noble, yet her hatred for humanity is blinding.

The brutality in Princess Mononoke deserves special mention: heads fly and hands are severed, not for shock value, but to demonstrate the violent nature of unnatural forces.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Princess Mononoke'?

• Princess Mononoke has 94% from both critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.3/10.

• On Letterboxd, Princess Mononoke scored 4.4/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Princess Mononoke'?

Princess Mononoke is available to stream on HBO Max.