This twitchy-witchy adventure may be light on plot, but it’s full of delightful energy. Brought to life with a color palette just as vibrant as its lead, Kiki's Delivery Service follows young witch trainee Kiki and her snarky cat Jiji in a coming-of-age tale inspired by the children’s story by the same name. Its deeper themes of empowerment balance out the sentimental edge of its animation, keeping this charming adventure from veering too far off track. With Kiki’s Delivery Service, Hayao Miyazaki proves there’s no limit to the ways he can blend magic and the mundane; perpetually reinvigorating the Studio Ghibli aesthetic. Kiki’s a loveable character perfect for bringing a story about confidence, loneliness, and risk-taking to life.
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# The Best Studio Ghibli Movies, Ranked

## Miyazaki movies for the soul.

The Best Studio Ghibli Movies, Ranked - IGN Image

Ro Moore Avatar

Updated: Sep 9, 2024 8:10 pm

When you think of legends in animated movie-making, the ground-breaking aesthetic of the Japanese film studio, Studio Ghibli, likely tops the list. Studio Ghibli's trademark hand-drawn, detail-oriented artistry has told countless stories centering on our relationships with each other and the environment. Under Hayao Miyazaki's direction, Studio Ghibli movies have constantly redefined what it means to create a delicately immersive animated world. Whether you’re in the mood for the magically whimsical, the strange and supernatural, or a heartfelt, introspective coming-of-age story, Studio Ghibli’s got you covered with some of the best anime of all time.

Below you'll see the list of what we consider the top ten best Studio Ghibli feature films, counting down from #10 to the #1 pick. Trust me – you’ll find yourself coming back for a re-watch again and again because each and every Studio Ghibli movie holds up years after its release.

### The Best Studio Ghibli Movies

When you think of legends in the field of animated movies, the ground-breaking  aesthetic of the Japanese animation film studio, Studio Ghibli, likely tops the list. Its trademark hand-drawn, detail-oriented artistry and stories centering real world social and/or environmental issues constantly redefined what it means to create a delicately immersive animated world.

11. The Cat Returns (2002)<p>  Where to Watch: HBO Max<br> When you’re in the mood for a weird but more family-friendly tale, director Hiroyuki Morita’s The Cat Returns is the perfect uncomplicated romp. Showcasing a grittier, more cartoonish style and a more realistic world, this story revisits the world of feature Whisper of the Heart and marks the return of Muta, the grumpy fat cat, and Baron von Gikkingen, a magicked statue. 

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10. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)<p>  Where to watch: HBO Max<br> The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’s based on the 10th-century Japanese narrative prose, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter about a nymph found growing a bamboo stalk by a bamboo cutter. The cutter and his wife take the child in and raise her as their own. The child rapidly grows into a beautiful and highly desired woman. Sent away to court, to make a favorable marriage by her adopted father, the homesick Kaguya sets her suitors (princes and the Emperor alike) impossible tasks to avoid being forced to pick a husband. 9. Ponyo (2008)<p>  Where to watch: HBO Max<br> Hayao Miyazaki’s tenth film, and eight directed for Studio Ghibli, Ponyo follows the story of a goldfish princess who desperately wants to live in the surface world and the five year-old boy she befriends. With heavy Little Mermaid influences and metaphors about ocean pollution and preservation, Ponyo is anything but a kitschy retelling. Featuring Miyazaki’s signature hand drawn animation presented in a vibrant, fluid style, Ponyo is a sweet and extremely engaging magical adventure.8. Porco Rosso (1992)<p>  Where to watch: HBO Max<br> Porco Rosso turns the story of an Italian World War I ex-fighter ace Marco Pagot transformed into an anthropomorphic pig by a curse. The freelance bounty hunter makes a living chasing down air pirates becomes known to the world as "Porco Rosso", which in Italian is for ¨Crimson Pig.¨ Offering up breathtaking, yet still accessible feeling, animation, Miyazaki blends fact and fantasy into a comedic highflying adventure. There are gritty themes just below the surface making Porco Rosso a masterful bit of bittersweet storytelling about identity, star-crossed lovers.. Porco Rosso is quite possibly Miyazaki’s most underrated film for Studio Ghibli.7. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)<p>  Where to watch: Vudu<br> Grave of the Fireflies adapts Akiyuki Nosaka semi-autobiographical short story of the same into a profoundly moving anti-war film and Studio Ghibli gem. Grave of the Fireflies tells the story of two children’s struggle to survive in harsh wasteland in the aftermath of Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II. It’s a story of innocence, loss, devastation and hope. The unique mix of animation techniques Takahatemployed to bring this somber tale to life creates an achingly realistic portrayal without ever crossing the line into tragedy porn.  It’s eye-opening, startlingly beautiful, and an inescapable clarion call for peace. Grave of the Fireflies is a meditation on the human cost of war and hands down Isao Takahata’s masterpiece.

## How Many Studio Ghibli Movies Are There?

Studio Ghibli has produced 24 movies in total. 11 of theses releases have been directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Below, we've selected 10 of our favorites from the studio, but feel free to share your own suggestions in the comments below!

### Where to Watch Studio Ghibli Movies

The Boy and the Heron

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### The Boy and the Heron

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Spirited Away

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Ponyo

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Howl's Moving Castle

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My Neighbor Totoro

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Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

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Princess Mononoke

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Porco Rosso

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Almost all of the Studio Ghibli movies are available to stream online. Studio Ghibli has also released limited edition blu-ray steelbooks of most of their movies, seen above. The most recent film on this list, The Boy and the Heron, is the only Studio Ghibli movie available in 4K Ultra HD.

## Top 10 Studio Ghibli Movies, Ranked

### 10. Ponyo (2008)

Hayao Miyazaki’s tenth film, and eighth directed for Studio Ghibli, follows the story of a goldfish princess who desperately wants to live in the surface world and the five year-old boy she befriends. With heavy Little Mermaid influences and metaphors about ocean pollution and preservation, Ponyo is anything but a kitschy retelling. Featuring Miyazaki’s signature hand drawn animation presented in a vibrant, fluid style, Ponyo is a sweet and enchanting magical adventure.

Ponyo

### Where to Watch

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### 9. Porco Rosso (1992)

In Porco Rosso, an Italian World War I ex-fighter ace named Marco Pagot gets transformed by a curse into an anthropomorphic pig. As a freelance bounty hunter who chases down air pirates, Marco becomes known to the world as "Porco Rosso", Italian for ¨Crimson Pig.¨ Offering up some breathtaking animation, Miyazaki blends fact and fantasy into a comedic highflying adventure. There are gritty themes just below the surface, making Porco Rosso a masterful bit of bittersweet storytelling about identity and star-crossed lovers. Porco Rosso is quite possibly Miyazaki’s and Studio Ghibli's most underrated movie.

Porco Rosso

### Where to Watch

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### 8. The Boy and the Heron (2023)

undefined The Boy and the Heron (2023)

The most recent Hayao Miyazaki movie is called How Do You Live, which is based on the 1934 novel by Yoshino Genzaburo. Its international title is The Boy and the Heron, and the English voice cast features big names like Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh. Like many other movies on this list, The Boy and the Heron is set in Japan during World War 2, with many plot elements that parallel Miyazaki's own life. A young boy, Mahito, is still grieving the death of his mother when his father brings him and his pregnant step-mother to the countryside. There, a grey heron lures Mahito into a mystical realm, where he must confront his grief and mortality itself. While The Boy and the Heron was intially reported on as Miyazaki's final film with Studio Ghibli, last we heard, the legendary director still had plenty of ideas left to work on.

The Boy and the Heron

### Where to Watch

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### 7. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

undefined Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Grave of the Fireflies adapts Akiyuki Nosaka semi-autobiographical short story of the same name into a profoundly moving anti-war film and Studio Ghibli gem. Grave of the Fireflies tells the story of two children’s struggle to survive in a harsh wasteland after Japan’s surrender in World War II. It’s a story of innocence, loss, devastation and hope. The unique mix of animation techniques the studio employs creates an achingly realistic portrayal of these somber themes that remains accessible for the whole family. It’s eye-opening, startlingly beautiful, and an inescapable call for peace. Grave of the Fireflies is a meditation on the human cost of war and hands down Isao Takahata’s masterpiece. It's also one of the saddest anime movies you'll ever see.

Grave of the Fireflies

### Where to Watch

Not yet available for streaming.

### 6. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

undefined Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

This twitchy-witchy adventure may be light on plot, but it’s full of delightful energy. Brought to life with a color palette just as vibrant as its lead, Kiki's Delivery Service follows young witch trainee Kiki and her snarky cat Jiji in a coming-of-age tale inspired by the children’s story by the same name. Its deeper themes of empowerment balance out the sentimental edge of its animation, keeping this charming adventure from veering too far off track. With Kiki’s Delivery Service, Hayao Miyazaki proves there’s no limit to the ways he can blend magic and the mundane; perpetually reinvigorating the Studio Ghibli aesthetic. Kiki’s a loveable character perfect for bringing a story about confidence, loneliness, and risk-taking to life.

Kiki's Delivery Service

### Where to Watch

Powered by
JustWatch

Not yet available for streaming.

### 5. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

undefined Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

Inspired by the novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle follows a young milliner, Sophie, who befriends a wizard living in a magical castle. When a jealous witch curses Sophie with old age, the wizard, Howl, must use all his magical abilities to save her before time runs out. Howl’s Moving Castle is a masterful display of Miyazaki’s animation skills and ability to pace and interpret characters for dynamic storytelling. As the latter half of the film takes a darker turn, it becomes clear that Howl's Moving Castle is Hayao Miyazaki’s contribution to Studio Ghibli’s anti-war stories. Riddled with gorgeous imagery and appealing characters, Miyazaki's created a journey into pure imagination.

Howl's Moving Castle

### Where to Watch

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### 4. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

undefined Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, a post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure, follows skillful fighter and princess, Nausicaä, as she navigates life 1000 years after the war that destroyed civilization. Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the story revolves around her attempts to save her community from an ecological disaster. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a timeless example of Miyazaki’s masterful word-building and one of the best science fiction movies, period. Technically released before Studio Ghibli's founding, this movie is jam-packed with complex themes and stunning landscapes, making it a precursor of things to come from the animation studio.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

### Where to Watch

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### 3. Princess Mononoke (1997)

One of Studio Ghibli’s most well known (and oft misunderstood) titles, Princess Mononoke tells the epic story of a forest princess who mobilizes to combat mechanization and encroachment that threatens her people and their home. This blend of myth, legend and fantasy is painstakingly constructed from hand-drawn art, evocative music and a mix of magic and charismatic characters. Hayao Miyazaki perfectly balances intense fantasy with weighty allegories to produce a mesmerizing and moving story of epic proportions.

Princess Mononoke

### Where to Watch

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### 2. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

My Neighbor Totoro centers on two young girls who befriend the spirit-monsters near their new home. Hayao Miyazaki’s classic is a sweet trip into childhood. Its pastoral scenes of tranquil summer afternoons and playful cast of characters fill My Neighbor Totoro with an enticing charm and warmth. Miyazaki created a near-perfect story of innocence, hope, fun and the joys of being a kid (or young at heart). If Studio Ghibli has a mascot, it's definitely this movie's titular character, Totoro.

My Neighbor Totoro

### Where to Watch

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### 1. Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away put Studio Ghibli on the map internationally. It’s an enchanting tale made of light, magic, mystery and monsters. It’s a meditation on the natural world, the spirit world, and how they interact with the mundane. Spirited Away centers on 10 year-old Chihiro who inadvertently ends up trapped in a magical world of gods and monsters while moving to a new neighborhood with her parents. Chihiro must learn to navigate the spirit world and how to escape before she forgets her name and is trapped forever. Hayao Miyazaki’s signature artwork and heartfelt storytelling come together in a gorgeous and immersive fairytale that in 2024 remains unmatched.

Spirited Away

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Originally posted: Aug 9, 2024 8:06 pm

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