Summary
Studio Ghibli has made a lasting impact on animation and the film industry as a whole, and all of its films instill a sense of awe and wonder that’s difficult to find elsewhere. Beautiful animation, engaging storylines, and memorable characters all contribute to what makes a Ghibli film so excellent.
With such a high standard across the board, the best of the best simply take things to another level, typically through important themes and messaging, as well as outstanding soundtracks. No matter whether they’re fantastical or historical, all of these movies encapsulate Ghibli’s mastery and charm.
We’ve selected these films based on their world-building, cultural impact, and animation.
You See This World? There’s More Work To Be Done
Spoilers below
When Mahito Maki moves to a new home after his mother’s death, he discovers a strange tower and a mischievous heron that appear to be connected and linked to his family. After his stepmother disappears, Mahito searches for her and finds himself in a strange world within the tower, full of whimsical creatures and magical landscapes.
Miyazaki creates a mesmerizing world with stunning visuals uplifted by Joe Hisaishi’s masterful score. Though the world of the tower is vast and unwieldy, it’s captivating, which is much like the movie itself - an excellent combination of Miyazaki’s best work.
9Kiki’s Delivery Service
We Each Need To Find Our Own Inspiration
Kiki’s Delivery Service follows a young witch named Kiki who leaves her hometown to hone her abilities with her talking black cat, Jiji, in tow. Kiki finds herself in Koriko, where she starts her delivery service while living at the local bakery.
Alongside its charming cast of characters, Kiki’s Delivery Service has a poignant story. It explores the concept of burnout and the importance of taking care of yourself through Kiki’s witch powers, as Kiki loses the ability to fly and talk to Jiji and must discover her purpose again.
8Howl’s Moving Castle
A Heart’s A Heavy Burden
When Sophie Hatter is turned into an old lady by the Witch of the Waste, she hopes to break the curse and finds herself in the wizard Howl’s magical and bizarre moving castle. She decides that she is now the castle’s cleaning lady, agreeing to help Calcifier, a fire demon, if he helps her in return.
Seeing Sophie’s relationship with the characters she meets blossom throughout the film is heartwarming, as they grow to become a found family. Sophie’s romance with Howl is especially memorable, and they are one ofthe best couplesin Ghibli.
7Grave Of The Fireflies
I’ll Always Be With You
Inarguably the saddest film in Studio Ghibli’s catalog, Grave of the Fireflies is a heartwrenching portrayal of life in Japan towards the end of the Second World War. Isao Takahata captures the devastation that wrought Japan during this time through two young siblings who are just trying to survive the day.
While it’s an excellent piece of animation and a film you should definitely watch at least once, it makes for difficult repeat viewings – the raw tragedy shown in the narrative will stick with you forever.
6Porco Rosso
I’d Rather Be A Pig Than A Fascist
Although Porco Rosso’s protagonist is cursed to have a pig’s face, his story isn’t focused on this but rather draws on Miyazaki’s fascination with planes. In the film, Italian wartime pilot ‘Porco,’ now a bounty hunter, takes down pirates while evading arrest from the fascist government.
Porco Rosso’s straightforward storyline works to its advantage, allowing the characters and plane sequences to take center stage. It’s clear that a lot of passion went into this film, in its characters, narrative, and animation, so it’s a shame that it’s one of the lesser-appreciated titles in Ghibli’s roster.
5Whisper Of The Heart
Don’t Expect Perfection At First
Directed by Yoshifumi Kondō, Whisper of the Heart is an earnest portrayal of adolescence and love. Though Shizuku Tsukishima has a passion for writing, she struggles with writer’s block and self-doubt. Through the people she meets and her personal growth, she pushes through and dedicates herself to her craft.
Shizuku’s relationship with Seiji Amasawa, an aspiring violin maker, is also heartwarming, depicting the innocence of first loves and how they inspire each other to follow their creative passions. Shizuku’s story is both relatable and carefully told.
4The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya
Come Round, Call Back My Heart
Isao Takahata’s final film, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, adapts an ancient Japanese tale, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. A bamboo cutter and his wife find a girl inside a bamboo shoot and welcome her into their family, believing her to be a princess.
Princess Kaguya’s animation style stands out thanks toits use of watercolors, emulating the art from the period in which the tale was originally written. Takahata’s interpretation of the story is also moving, showing that life’s real pleasures are more often found in the mundane.
3My Neighbor Totoro
Try Laughing. Then Whatever Scares You Will Go Away!
My Neighbor Totoro encapsulates the wonder of childhood through its protagonists, sisters Satsuki and Mei Kusakabe. Though their mother is in hospital, the girls are able to find joy by exploring the forest and befriending the spirits there.
The forest and its inhabitants are endearing, especially the titular Totoro, who has become the mascot of Ghibli since the film’s release. Joe Hisaishi’s excellent score and the film’s charming visuals culminate in a cozy and unforgettable experience that captures everything that the studio has to offer.
Fun fact: Shigesato Itoi, the director of the Mother series, voiced Satsuki and Mei’s father in the original Japanese.
2Princess Mononoke
It’s Time For Both Of Us To Live
In Princess Mononoke, Ashitaka, the prince of his village, has no choice but to leave when he is cursed by a demon and must find a cure or else die. Ashitaka becomes embroiled in the feud between the people of Iron Town and the spirits of the forest and San, a human raised by wolf spirits, who resent the humans for the destruction they have wrought.
Princess Mononoke has a strong environmental message, encouraging humans to livein harmony with naturerather than destroy it for their own benefit. The film is also visually stunning, particularly the scenes showcasing the various forest spirits and mythological creatures.
1Spirited Away
Once You Do Something, You Never Forget
Spirited Away is heralded by both Ghibli fans and general audiences as one of the best animated films of all time, and it certainly lives up to that reputation through its superb worldbuilding and equally brilliant visuals and story.
The film follows Chihiro ‘Sen’ Ogino, who must work in Yubaba’s bathhouse in the spirit world to rescue her parents and remember her true name. While working in the bathhouse, Chihiro meets a range of weird and wonderful spirits who contribute to the film’s charm. Spirited Away showcases everything that makes Ghibli so special.
