An animated movie from Japan that did unimpressive business in America despite glowing reviews, ended up beating competitors Ice Age ($180 million US gross), Lilo & Stitch ($140 million), Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron ($80 million) and Treasure Planet ($38 million) to win Best Animated Movie Oscar.

Director Hayao Miyazaki's hit film from Japan, Spirited Away, grossed about $240 million worldwide of which only $6 million came from the US.

Though Spirited Away employed many American voices, including Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette and Lauren Holly, many Americans still perceive it as a foreign film. Sad at leaving her old neighbourhood, a 10-year-old wanders away from her parents on the road to their new abode, and suddenly finds herself  in a world of strange creatures and crazy rules. The skinny girl undergoes various trials as her integrity, resourcefulness, courage and tenacity are tested in ways that would make even a strong adult give up.

What made the movie memorable, besides the wonderful animation, was the psychological insights Miyazaki endowed the film with. Though he is revered by American animated artistes and has had several of his films released in the US, so far Miyazaki's movies, including Princess Mononoke, have only been arthouse success stories.

The Oscar-winning Spirited Away, which was seen as a huge empowerment fable for young women, made at least $20 million more than Titanic did in Japan.