Spirited Away is a perfect balance of all the things Studio Ghibli does well, but there are a couple films that drill down even more sharply on specific elements. — C.H.
Let's be honest: If you're reading this ranking, then surely you already love this movie (and if you haven't had the pleasure, it makes a great introduction to the world of Ghibli). Perhaps the signature Studio Ghibli film, Spirited Away is the ultimate spiritual odyssey-as-coming-of-age experience. Though many Ghibli heroines are literal princesses, it's precisely the relatable everyday humanity of Chihiro that allows her to navigate the magical wonders and terrors of Yubaba's bathhouse. Her normalcy also highlights the unique nature of the characters she encounters in the spirit world, who count among Ghibli's most memorable creations. Miyazaki's dual obsessions with the wonder of flight and the power of young love are combined in the form of the dragon spirit Haku, and has there ever been a more relatable spirit than the insatiable No-Face? Spirited Away is a perfect balance of all the things Studio Ghibli does well, but there are a couple films that drill down even more sharply on specific elements. — C.H.