Best Studio Ghibli Movies

Studio Ghibli is without a doubt one of the greatest animation studios of all time. Their catalogue sports more than a handful of masterpieces, holding four spots on the list of the top ten highest-grossing Japanese features films ever. With the success of their latest film, The Boy and the Heron in 2023, Studio Ghibli has proved that, as time has passed since their foundation in 1985, they haven’t lost their touch in creating some of the most magical stories in animation. That’s why today, we decided to dive into the studio’s catalogue, and look at the most successful Studio Ghibli movies that achieved their goal of securing a spot in our hearts.

In this article, we’ll be looking at the best Studio Ghibli movies out there. Whether you’re looking to begin your journey with the studio’s works, or whether you’re a longtime fan looking to revisit some of Ghibli’s most incredible films, this spoiler-free list has got you covered.

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Princess Mononoke (1997)

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Starting our list is Studio Ghibli’s staple fantasy epic, 1997’s Princess Mononoke. Princess Mononoke is a notable entry in Ghibli’s filmography for a number of reasons. In many ways, it put the studio on the map outside of Japan, with their worldwide popularity increasing drastically following its release in the United States. Moving away from the business side of things though, Princess Mononoke’s gritty approach to themes of environmentalism and industrialization through the lens of Japanese folklore marked a new frontier for the studio.

Chronicling the story of a young prince caught up in a struggle between the forest spirits and the humans who destroy that forest for resources, Princess Mononoke is a surprisingly mature entry in Studio Ghibli’s catalogue. Though not the first movie from the studio to tackle adult themes, Princess Mononoke stands out as a mature film which is still accessible to younger ages, separating it from Ghibli’s darker prior works. The film is dark, gory, beautiful, and most importantly, effective, making it a must-watch for any Ghibli fan.

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When Marnie Was There (2014)

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When Marnie Was There is one of Studio Ghibli’s later entries, but if anything, its timing only proves that the studio has never lost their touch over the years. Based on the 1967 novel of the same name, When Marnie Was There tells the story of a young girl who struggles with her sense of self in the big city, so stays with her relatives in the countryside for the summer. There, she comes across a seemingly abandoned mansion housing another girl, who she quickly becomes close with.

I rarely see When Marnie Was There getting the credit it deserves in Studio Ghibli lists, often sidelined in favour of the studio’s older, more well-known projects. However, the film is not only one of Ghibli’s most beautiful films, but it’s also one of its most emotional. The story behind the movie is also somewhat of a gut-punch, with it being the final work for Makiko Futaki before her death. Futaki had animated for plenty of Ghibli’s other great works, as well as 1988’s cult-classic, Akira. Though not as universally well-known as some of the studio’s other films, When Marnie Was There is one of my personal favourites in Ghibli’s archive.

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Whisper of the Heart (1995)

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In a repertoire filled with visually and narratively pleasant films, Whisper of the Heart stands out as one of Ghibli’s most inviting and comforting movies. In almost every sense of the word, Whisper of the Heart is a love story – but not just in the romantic sense. The movie also promotes the importance of loving life’s small moments, loving the often frustrating, yet incredibly gratifying process of creativity, and above all else, loving oneself. The story of a young creative writer frustrated with her life, Whisper of the Heart speaks to anyone out there who feels like they’re stuck in a rut of normality, and offers them a consolation that is incomparably warm.

The film has received some criticism over the years for being somewhat stagnant plot-wise, but to me, that in many ways is the point. The movie speaks to embracing normality, and the elements of life that often seem mundane. Sure, it’s not the groundbreaking environmental commentary that is Princess Mononoke, and it lacks the otherworldly fantasy elements of some of Ghibli’s other works, like Spirited Away, but Whisper of the Heart knows that the story it wants to tell is a simple one, and it does so charmingly. It also spawned a spin-off movie in 2002, named The Cat Returns, so be sure to check that one out if you enjoy Whisper of the Heart – I think both films deserve more love than they get.

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Spirited Away (2001)

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Spirited Away, for many, is the first film that comes to mind when they hear the name, Studio Ghibli. It’s taken me a lot of time to really appreciate this movie, but through subsequent rewatches, I’ve come to accept that it is more than deserving of the stellar reputation it’s garnered. Spirited Away is a full-on fantasy story, and viewers will need to completely suspend disbelief to lose themselves in the world it creates. That world, though, is crafted to perfection, and has brought some of the most iconic scenes in animation to our screens.

The movie tells the story of Chihiro Ogino who enters the spirit world, where her parents are turned into pigs, and she must take up a job in a witch’s bathhouse to free them. Spirited Away leans fully and unapologetically into the unbelievable, in a way that may put some viewers off of the experience. However, if you dive into Spirited Away without expectations, and embrace the off-the-wall concept, you’ll click with the magical atmosphere that many other movies have tried, but failed to recreate. It’s also notable for being the first non-English movie to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and the award was well-deserved. In many ways, Spirited Away holds a place in animation history, and is a must-watch not only for Ghibli fans, but cinephiles in general.

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Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

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Grave of the Fireflies is a difficult movie to recommend and is by far the darkest Studio Ghibli movie. However, it’s undeniably a masterpiece, and for me, is ultimately my favourite movie that I’ll never watch again. The film is based on the semi-autobiographical story of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka, and provides a gritty, heart-breaking perspective on survival in Japan during the final stages of the Second World War – and it doesn’t hold back in exploring the ways in which the war affected Japanese residents, particularly children.

Grave of the Fireflies is undoubtedly one of the greatest war films ever made, and it stands out amongst Ghibli’s works as a uniquely adult experience. I do think that the movie is so different from the studio’s other works that it may not be the best starter film for those unfamiliar with Ghibli. Also, the movie should only be approached when you’re mentally prepared for an incredibly emotional experience. As beautiful as the movie is, it’s also pretty miserable, so be ready for tears. Overall, Grave of the Fireflies is one of Ghibli’s greatest and most unique works, but is likely rarely revisited by fans of the studio – a once-off viewing experience that will leave a lasting impression on viewers for a long time.

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The Wind Rises (2013)

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If you were to associate one major name with Studio Ghibli’s work, it would be Hayao Miyazaki. A founder of Studio Ghibli, and a credited filmmaker on many of their most renowned features, The Wind Rises was originally intended as Miyazaki’s final film, and until 2023’s The Boy and the Heron, this movie still held that accolade under its belt. In that way, the story of The Wind Rises, which details aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi’s focus on his engineering career at the expense of his overall life, has been taken by many over the years as Miyazaki turning a mirror on himself and his artistry.

It’s a phenomenal film, which is appropriate for it being the natural culmination of a phenomenal career. The story is grounded, emotional, and introspective, a metaphorical look-back on the career of a man who brought fantasy and optimism into so many lives, yet in his intended curtain call, chose to take a deeper look inside himself and tell a more down-to-earth story. That in itself marks The Wind Rises as one of the most profound and effective films in Ghibli’s catalogue. Behind-the-scenes story aside, the film itself is also beautifully animated, and tells an intriguing, yet calming tale. One of the more underrated Ghibli movies out there, but also, one of their strongest.

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Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

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Of all of the movies on this list, only Howl’s Moving Castle comes close to rivalling Spirited Away in pure fantasy elements. The story of a young hat-maker who is cursed by a witch and turned into an elderly woman, who then seeks assistance from a wizard named Howl and his companions in his giant moving castle – is far from a grounded plot. However, Howl’s Moving Castle’s ability to tell this avant-garde tale and connect it to Miyazaki’s opposition to the US-Iraq conflict in 2003 is a perfect example of Ghibli’s ability to weave mature themes into their fantastical storytelling.

Howl’s Moving Castle is one of Ghibli’s grandest films to date, and covers topics which viewers of all types can relate to – war, feminism, age, and love are just some of the themes explored throughout the film. Though Spirited Away leans a little more heavily into the fantasy elements of its storytelling, Howl’s Moving Castle feels like Ghibli’s most whimsical film, sweeping viewers up into the world it creates and holding them there with a truly compelling plot. Miyazaki and Ghibli have often promoted pacifism with their films, and this message truly shines in Howl’s Moving Castle – it’s a wonderful film in practically every way.

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The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

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We end our list with the most visually stunning and unique movie ever made by Studio Ghibli, The Tale of Princess Kaguya. Like many of the studio’s films, this movie is based on the old Japanese folk tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a story about a bamboo cutter who discovers a tiny baby girl inside of a bamboo shoot and decides to raise her with his wife as their own. Exploring themes of family, greed, and destiny, The Tale of Princess Kaguya is an entrancing movie, with animation like no other film from Studio Ghibli, and a uniquely tragic plot.

This movie feels alive in a way that very few animated movies manage to – the animation allows characters to feel uniquely human, as though you were watching a splice of live-action and cartoon, when in reality, each beautiful frame is hand-drawn with care and compassion. The film is potentially the most beautiful animated project I have ever experienced, and of course, thematically, the movie asks a question that undeniably provokes many deep thoughts in the minds of its viewers – what does it mean to be human? As different as it may seem from the other entries on this list, I would highly recommend you check out The Tale of Princess Kaguya – it’s one of Ghibli’s finest works to date.

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Conclusion

With the fall season upon us, now is the perfect time to Ghibli’s catalogue for the first time or revisit for the hundredth, depending on how big of a fan you are. The best movies from Studio Ghibli are often debated though, so be sure to let us know if we’ve missed any you feel deserved a spot! Let us know your favourite Studio Ghibli films in the comments, and thank you for reading!

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