How to Watch My Neighbor Totoro on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) is currently available on Netflix in Singapore. The official Netflix Singapore page confirms that Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli animated fantasy is part of the country’s streaming catalog, with original Japanese audio, English dubbing, English subtitles, and offline downloads.

However, My Neighbor Totoro is not currently available on Netflix US, where the movie streams on HBO Max. If you’re in the United States, you can explore Singapore VPN server options from Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN. All three providers offer Singapore IP addresses.

Keep in mind that connecting to Singapore does not guarantee access to the movie, and VPN usage must comply with the providers’ applicable terms. According to Netflix’s VPN guidelines, the service may recognize VPN connections and limit the available catalog to titles with worldwide licensing rights.

How to watch My Neighbor Totoro on Netflix with a VPN

Netflix Singapore currently carries My Neighbor Totoro. Where permitted by the applicable service terms, you can establish a Singapore VPN connection and check whether the movie appears in your Netflix catalog.

1. Choose a VPN. Private Internet Access is our first recommendation for its Singapore server selection, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN application on your device.
3. Connect to a server in Singapore.
4. Fully close Netflix if it is already open.
5. Reopen Netflix after the VPN connects.
6. Sign in with your existing Netflix account.
7. Search for My Neighbor Totoro.
8. Start playback if the movie appears and your subscription permits access.

Singapore is a verified Netflix region for My Neighbor Totoro because the Netflix Singapore listing displays the movie without an unavailability warning. It also confirms English, Japanese, Malay, and Mandarin audio, English subtitles, and offline downloads.

The movie follows Satsuki and Mei, two sisters who move to the Japanese countryside with their father while their mother recovers in a hospital. They soon discover friendly forest spirits, including the enormous creature known as Totoro.

Make sure you select the 1988 Studio Ghibli movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Netflix may still recognize your VPN connection and restrict regional playback, regardless of the country displayed in your VPN application.

Best VPNs for watching My Neighbor Totoro on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all provide Singapore VPN connections. PIA includes a streaming-optimized option, ExpressVPN offers several named Singapore locations, and NordVPN maintains more than 70 servers in the country.

VPN	Singapore locations	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	Singapore, SG Streaming Optimized	SG Streaming Optimized, where permitted
ExpressVPN	Singapore – CBD, Singapore – Jurong, Singapore – Marina Bay	Singapore – CBD
NordVPN	70+ Singapore servers; automatic and individual server selection	Automatic Singapore server selection

These locations come from the providers’ official server directories. They confirm Singapore IP availability, not guaranteed compatibility with Netflix Singapore. Users must also comply with the providers’ terms and applicable geographic restrictions.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is our Editor’s Choice for its Singapore VPN network, which includes a dedicated SG Streaming Optimized location alongside the standard Singapore connection.

According to the official PIA server directory, updated October 1, 2026, the available Singapore locations include Singapore and SG Streaming Optimized.

SG Streaming Optimized is PIA’s specialized connection for streaming performance. The provider designed this option to help users maintain stable connections while accessing supported streaming services.

To find it, open the PIA application, navigate to the VPN SERVER section, and search for Singapore or streaming. Select SG Streaming Optimized to establish a Singapore connection.

If you experience technical problems, the standard Singapore location provides another documented option. You can also disconnect and reconnect to an available server within the selected location.

Unlike providers that list several separately selectable Singapore neighborhoods, PIA’s current application directory identifies two Singapore options. It does not list CBD, Jurong, or Marina Bay as individual selections.

There is also an important distinction between physical and virtual VPN servers. Physical servers operate within the country associated with their IP addresses, while virtual locations provide an IP address from one country through hardware hosted elsewhere.

According to PIA’s virtual server documentation, Singapore does not appear among the company’s published virtual country locations.

PIA also identifies Singapore as a physical hosting location for virtual VPN services associated with several other Asian countries, including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, and Cambodia.

These details confirm that PIA maintains physical infrastructure in Singapore. However, the documentation does not establish the exact hardware arrangements of every individual Singapore endpoint, including SG Streaming Optimized.

PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. WireGuard is a practical starting point because its lightweight design can support efficient encrypted connections while reducing unnecessary overhead.

If a VPN connection becomes unstable, you can reconnect, change protocols, or select another permitted server. Actual performance depends on your internet service, selected server, device, and current network conditions.

PIA provides additional instructions in its streaming support guide, including clearing browser cookies, reconnecting, and updating the application.

There is an important restriction. PIA’s current streaming guidance instructs customers to connect to a server in their physical country and explicitly prohibits circumventing streaming providers’ geographic restrictions. Therefore, its Singapore servers should only be used in circumstances permitted by its terms and applicable streaming agreements.

Even with a streaming-optimized location, Netflix may recognize PIA’s IP addresses and restrict access to region-specific movies. PIA cannot guarantee that My Neighbor Totoro will appear or play.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN provides several Singapore server locations, giving users different connection options within the same country.

The official ExpressVPN server directory currently lists Singapore – CBD, Singapore – Jurong, and Singapore – Marina Bay.

Start with Singapore – CBD for a manually selected Singapore connection. Open ExpressVPN, search for Singapore, and select CBD from the available locations.

Marina Bay offers another Singapore connection, while Jurong provides a third location. These alternatives allow users to choose different Singapore IP addresses without changing countries.

Switching between locations may help resolve connection instability, routing problems, or higher latency on a particular server. However, choosing another location does not guarantee that Netflix will accept the connection.

ExpressVPN supports Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN at its listed Singapore locations. Protocol availability may vary depending on your device and application version.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary VPN protocol, designed to establish encrypted connections efficiently. WireGuard and OpenVPN provide additional connection options for supported devices.

ExpressVPN also distinguishes between physical and virtual server locations. A physical server operates in the country associated with its IP address, while a virtual location provides an IP address for one country through hardware hosted elsewhere.

According to ExpressVPN’s virtual server documentation, Singapore does not appear among its published virtual locations.

The provider’s server directory presents CBD, Jurong, and Marina Bay as regular Singapore locations rather than virtual connections hosted in another country.

ExpressVPN also uses Singapore infrastructure to support virtual server locations associated with certain other Asian countries. That is different from connecting directly to its documented Singapore IP locations.

Although ExpressVPN confirms physical infrastructure in Singapore, it does not publish the exact hardware arrangements of every individual endpoint within CBD, Jurong, or Marina Bay.

If your connection becomes unstable, try another Singapore location or change to a different supported VPN protocol. Your actual speed depends on your internet connection, server load, and network conditions.

For example, switching from CBD to Marina Bay may produce a different network route or server connection. That can help with ordinary performance issues, but it does not establish access to Netflix’s regional catalog.

ExpressVPN’s multiple Singapore locations provide useful flexibility. However, Netflix may still recognize the provider’s IP addresses as VPN traffic and restrict access to My Neighbor Totoro or other movies licensed specifically for Singapore.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN is another option for connecting to Singapore, with more than 70 servers and automatic connection tools.

According to NordVPN’s official Singapore server page, the provider currently advertises more than 70 Singapore servers.

For the first connection, open NordVPN, select Singapore, and let the application choose an available server automatically. This is a convenient starting point if you do not have a preferred server.

You can also select an individual Singapore server through the application’s server controls. NordVPN’s official documentation explains that users can choose Singapore from the country list and then select a specific server when necessary.

Unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN does not document separately selectable neighborhoods such as CBD, Jurong, or Marina Bay. Its public instructions focus on country-level and individual server selection.

NordVPN’s advertised server count may change as the company expands or adjusts its infrastructure. The provider confirms Singapore IP availability but does not document the physical hosting arrangement of every individual endpoint.

NordVPN also includes SmartPlay, a feature that combines VPN encryption with DNS technology to support secure streaming.

According to NordVPN’s SmartPlay documentation, the feature activates automatically when you connect through the NordVPN application.

You do not need to enable SmartPlay separately, install a browser extension, or change your DNS settings. It runs in the background as part of your regular VPN connection.

SmartPlay incorporates DNS functionality while maintaining the VPN’s encryption and IP protection. However, the feature does not guarantee access to any particular streaming service or regional catalog.

NordVPN also offers NordLynx, a protocol based on WireGuard technology that aims to deliver efficient encrypted connections.

If you experience buffering or slow loading times, reconnecting to another Singapore server may help. The provider’s automatic selection system can also choose an available server based on network conditions.

Actual streaming performance depends on your internet connection, distance from the server, server load, and current network conditions.

However, SmartPlay does not guarantee access to My Neighbor Totoro or other movies licensed to specific Netflix regions. Netflix may still recognize NordVPN’s IP addresses and restrict playback.

What to do if My Neighbor Totoro does not appear

If Netflix does not display My Neighbor Totoro after you establish a Singapore VPN connection, your browser may retain previous location information, or Netflix may have detected the VPN. Where your VPN use is permitted, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Close Netflix completely.
2. Disconnect from the VPN.
3. Reconnect to Singapore.
4. Try another server or location in the same country.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and your browser cache.
6. Open a private or incognito browser window.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in again.
8. Search for My Neighbor Totoro.

Private Internet Access users can troubleshoot through SG Streaming Optimized or the standard Singapore location, subject to PIA’s geographic-use restrictions. ExpressVPN users can check CBD, Jurong, and Marina Bay. NordVPN users can reconnect automatically or select another individual Singapore server.

Make sure you search for My Neighbor Totoro (1988), directed by Hayao Miyazaki. You can also try its original Japanese title, Tonari no Totoro.

Check that you are selecting the Studio Ghibli movie about Satsuki, Mei, and the friendly forest spirit Totoro rather than another animated production featuring similar characters or titles.

If the movie still does not appear, Netflix may be restricting its catalog because of VPN detection. The Netflix missing titles guide explains other possible causes, including regional licensing changes, maturity restrictions, and language preferences.

Netflix recommends disconnecting a VPN when it causes regional catalog or playback problems. Changing servers cannot guarantee that a country-specific movie will become available.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN changes the public IP address Netflix sees when your device connects to the service. For example, connecting to a Singapore VPN server generally presents a Singapore IP address instead of your regular US address.

However, a Singapore IP address does not guarantee access to Netflix Singapore. Netflix may recognize the connection as VPN traffic and limit which movies and shows appear.

According to Netflix’s official VPN support page, users connecting through a VPN may only see titles for which Netflix holds worldwide licensing rights.

That means My Neighbor Totoro may remain unavailable in your Netflix search results even when your VPN application shows Singapore as the connected country.

Netflix may also display a VPN or proxy-related error or prevent playback. Its detection systems and regional licensing agreements can change over time.

Trying another Singapore server may resolve an ordinary connection problem, but it cannot guarantee access to the country’s Netflix catalog. Netflix recommends disabling the VPN to restore titles available in your actual location.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix currently states that its ad-supported experience does not support VPN connections.

If you subscribe to Netflix with ads, you may encounter playback errors or VPN-related restrictions when using Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN.

Netflix confirms this limitation in its VPN troubleshooting documentation. To use an ad-supported subscription normally, disconnect your VPN.

An ad-free Netflix subscription avoids this particular restriction, but Netflix may still recognize VPN connections and limit access to movies available only in certain countries.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to a Singapore VPN server does not change your Netflix email address, password, profiles, or existing account credentials.

The VPN changes the public IP address Netflix sees. It does not automatically convert your US Netflix subscription into a Singapore account or modify your billing information.

You can continue signing in with your existing Netflix credentials. However, the movies and shows Netflix displays may depend on regional licensing restrictions, account settings, and whether Netflix recognizes your VPN connection.

Current US streaming listings for My Neighbor Totoro identify HBO Max and HBO Max Amazon Channel rather than Netflix. These services provide alternatives for watching the movie in the United States without changing your VPN location.

When you disconnect from your VPN, Netflix generally recognizes your regular internet location again without changing your account settings.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access is our first recommendation for its Singapore server network, including SG Streaming Optimized and the standard Singapore location. However, PIA explicitly prohibits using its service to circumvent streaming providers’ geographic restrictions, so use its servers only in permitted circumstances.

ExpressVPN is a useful alternative thanks to its three Singapore server locations in CBD, Jurong, and Marina Bay. NordVPN offers more than 70 Singapore servers and includes SmartPlay, which activates automatically when you connect.

Netflix Singapore currently carries My Neighbor Totoro (1988), making Singapore the verified international region for this guide. However, licensing agreements, VPN detection, and provider terms can affect access, so connecting to Singapore does not guarantee playback from the United States.