My kids (8 and 6) snuck out of bed and ended up watching Grave of the Fireflies with me. I originally didn't watch it with them because of the subtitles, but they were hooked.
How did they react? I would hesitate to show it to my children of the same age. It is a very grim and sad movie.
They were hooked until the end. It was quite late for them, but school vacation so I didn't push them to bed.
I didn't know the story going in.
At least if I was their age, I wouldn't have reacted to the end. I didn't become sensitive to tragedy until I was in my 20s, except that I cried when I read Bridge to Terabithia when I was 10 or 11.
I told mine I’ll watch it with them when they’re old enough to drink. Which is next year.
I’m not ready to watch it a second time though. I’m told it’s worse the second time.