Studio Ghibli's Top 20 Films of All Time

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down what we believe to be the most magical of masterpieces to come from Miyazaki and his legendary studio.

Yes, there is a scene involving Tanuki inflating their gonads in order to take down a police squadron. It’s as weird as it’s hilarious, but the film is thankfully more than that, focusing on a community of the shapeshifting fluffballs as they try to adapt to the world around them, with their home constantly under threat of urban expansion. It’s one of Ghibli’s earliest environmental pieces, and while not exactly the most fluid or dynamic of flicks, is still a fun watch. Especially if you’re in the mood for some wickedly tripping visuals!

An intimate examination of how the small pleasures of childhood ultimately give way and can be lost to the taxing responsibilities of being an adult, Only Yesterday is a smaller yet still beautiful character exploration bursting with all that Ghibli goodness. It’s certainly heavy on the flashbacks, but thankfully Taeko’s personal journey is compelling enough to keep our attention rapt. Thanks to the recent dub bringing it back into our lives, we’re grateful this one didn’t get swept under the rug given how sweet and soulful the end result was.

Granted, it does have a somewhat problematic twist that will hit you like a haymaker, though one that is thankfully resolved come the climax. Which is a major relief, because this is undoubtedly Goro Miyazaki’s best work to date, and it would have been a crime to spoil such a bright, hopeful and uplifting tale of young love. With the horrors of the second world war fading into memory, the film follows a group of students as they put their best efforts forward to not only trying to realize their futures, but also leave their mark via the renovation of an iconic clubhouse. The goodwill and charm here is downright infectious.

Who would have guessed a one-off side character from an older Ghibli film could headline his own production? Good thing too, because The Cat Returns is an utterly delightful venture. Happenstance leads to a young girl being taken to the kingdom of cats, and a potential marriage to their prince. Thankfully, the ever-gentlemanly Baron arrives on the scene to cut short the proceedings, leading the best kind of fluffy chaos. The swashbuckling nature of the rescue along with its quick-fire pace harkens back to the adventure flicks of old, though one saturated with Ghibli’s signature fantastical edge. Plus, it has Tim Curry as the King of Cats. Can’t go wrong there.

Whether it’s his final film or not, Miyazaki has once again shown that he’s still got it, at least when it comes to crafting magical words filled with creatures and imagery that blends the natural with the macabre. As a young boy tries to deal with a change of home in the aftermath of his mother’s death, the arrival of the titular heron whisks him away on a mission to rescue her. Naturally, there’s more to it than meets the eye, as for every enchanted entity encountered along the way, Mahito must come to grips with what can and can’t be changed. If this is Miyazaki’s swan song, then we’re thrilled he could end it on such a high note.

Ghibli has a beautiful track record of taking western properties, especially books, turning them into charming, animated features. While light on dramatic and personal stakes, Arrietty still hits its mark. The sense of scale is staggering as Arrietty and her thimble-sized family as they attempt to make a new home for themselves amongst the confines of lived-in house Their interactions with regular humans might be passe, but it’s worth watching alone for the scenes in which Arriety goes about her daily life. The creativity practically seeps into the scene. Plus the soundtrack is low-key incredible.

When a bamboo cutter and his wife discover a tiny girl within a stalk of bamboo, their lives and the lives of their village change forever. The first thing that comes to mind with The Tale of Princess Kaguya is how undeniably gorgeous the film is. Boasting an impressive art direction by utilizing the ink-washing style, it’s clear that this is some of the best animation Ghibli has put out to date, courtesy of long-time director Isao Takahata. It’s no wonder this film went on to join the ranks of Studio Ghibli gems that have been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It’s criminal it didn’t win.

Another literary western adaptation, another banger, another Ghibli film that will have you openly weeping. Upon relocating into the Japanese countryside, quietly hostile Anna finds herself finding companionship with the mysterious Marnie. While the true nature of Marnie’s identity makes for an intriguing plot thread, the true joy and crux of the film is the relationship between these girls. Their dynamic is the sweetest, with Marnie’s curious and compelling nature slowly bringing the depressed Anna out of her shell. It’s a film that explores the beautiful and bitter facets of love and friendship, and that bonds are something to be treasured, no matter how much time passes by.

Ready to watch a young human-fish hybrid run on a giant-fish-shaped tidal wave just to find the boy she likes, as well as get herself a slice of ham? Welcome to Ponyo, where the only thing crazier than the visuals are the mother’s driving skills. It’s a wild, magical ride, sprinkling in the necessity of protecting the oceans with the sweet-natured tale of two kids from two different worlds making the best of their time together. Doesn’t hurt that Ponyo might just be one of Ghibli’s cutest creations.

Set in modern day Japan, the film follows Shizuku and her blossoming romance with violin-maker Seiji. Whisper of the Heart is a deeply personal story about creativity and the ups and downs of teenage love, with a few dream sequences for extra fun. This film is a notable entry as it was one of the first Studio Ghibli films to be directed by someone other than Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata. It’s a gorgeous film that showed the promise of director Yoshifumi Kondo, who sadly passed away shortly after the films’ completion. It introduced us to the Baron amidst its collection of now iconic dream sequences, and also gave us one hell of a spin on the timeless classic that is Take Me Home, Country Road.

Caught amidst the tail end of World War II, siblings Seita and Setsuko endeavor to survive in a war-torn Japan. Many consider this film to be one of the most heartbreaking anime of all time. It’s a harsh, realistic look at youth struggling to get by in the darkest of times. As unrelentingly sad as it may be, the film’s dedication to its tone, in animation no less, has earned it considerable praise. Grave of the Fireflies displayed that Studio Ghibli could not just churn out great fantasy, but also heart-tugging tragedy and truth in the same breath.

What happens when you mix together dogfights, sky pirates, espionage, and an anthropomorphic pig? One of the most bizarre yet entertaining entries in Ghibli’s early catalog. A former flying ace turned bounty hunter, Porco not only has to deal with a curse that has left him in his new swine state, but also prepares to test his wings against a rival pilot from America, all the while dealing with a spunky new sidekick. It’s as close to a spy thriller as Ghibli is ever likely to make, helmed by one of their most underrated leads.

If you weren’t aware of Miyazaki’s adoration for all things aviation, you will after this homage to the legacy and life of aircraft engineer Jiro Horikoshi. It can be argued that the film chooses to gloss over the destruction that his creations caused over the course of World War 2, but to be fair, its focus does remain on Jiro’s enthusiasm for his craft as well as the tender relationship shared with his beloved wife, which is as wholesome as it gets. Historical significance aside, the way in which the narrative follows Jiro’s career paints the picture of a man driven by a desire to simply elevate that which he loves. It’s a respectful portrayal of a creative genius painted by another, one that knows how to dazzle.

This was where it all began. The story of Pazu and Princess Sheeta’s quest to find the fabled flying castle, Laputa, was the first official release from Studio Ghibli. Many of the creative team’s core elements are on full display: a deeply imaginative world, endearing main characters, and excitement and danger at every turn. This was the film that set the course for Studio Ghibli’s resume’ for the next thirty years and it still holds up even against modern anime of today. Many call this a perfect adventure film and who are we to argue?

When Satsuki and her younger sister, Mei, move out to the countryside, the last thing they expect to see is a giant, furry beast with a wide-eyed smile. That same, loveable monster, known as Totoro, has been Studio Ghibli’s mascot ever since the film debuted. While the film doesn’t have a lot of conflict, it’s not really needed to make a great story. Much of that is left to the enjoyable bond between the two sisters and the unexpected adventures they get into with Totoro and his companions. It’s a film for all ages Plus it has Catbus. Everybody loves Catbus.

So, this one is a little bit of a cheat. Nausicaa was released just prior to the founding of Studio Ghibli. It still showcases the studio’s high-quality animation and dedication to fleshing out characters. Featuring themes of environmentalism and empowering young women to save the day, Nausicaa has been a title beloved by animation fans worldwide. Despite appearing before Ghibli’s inception, Nausicca is still regarded as one of their films. As such, it has been re-released several times under the Studio Ghibli banner.

In this coming-of-age classic, young witch Kiki heads off to the big city to learn her craft. She ends up using her slowly developing powers to run a delivery service for the town she resides in. Kiki is an instantly likable character with a drive and optimism that makes her a true role model. The film also boasts a great amount of humor, particularly from Kiki’s adorable sidekick Jiji, and some heart racing action sequences, once Kiki really kicks her broom into high gear. Seeing Kiki overcome all challenges, personal and external, is part of what makes this comfy, little film a treat for all audiences.

Based on the beloved novel, this fantasy flick follows Sophie, an enchanting girl turned into an old woman by a wicked witch. Searching for a cure, Sophie comes across the wandering castle of Howl and soon finds herself joining a motley crew of eclectic characters. Howl’s Moving Castle boasts some of the best quality animation the studio has to offer. There’s still plenty of room for good story, featuring themes of building confidence and, of course, innocent love. Howl was so brilliant it even netted a nomination for Best Animated Feature after its release.

In a land where humans are in constant battle with forest spirits, wayward prince Ashitaka teams up with Sen, a girl raised by the wolves of the land, to bring balance and save himself from a dreaded curse. Majestic, powerful, exciting, and gorgeous. Princess Mononoke was a true game changer. With stellar animation, a story of a grandiose scale, and some of Ghibli’s greatest characters, it’s no wonder that many consider it the peak of the medium. The film’s also noteworthy for being one of the studio’s more violent films, we’re talking a hefty amount of blood here…

It just doesn’t get better than this. Following young Chihiro’s journeys through a supernaturally populated bathhouse, Spirited Away is a triumph of the imagination. There are so many creatures and working parts to this world, that every single frame contains something of beauty. Spirited Away’s brilliant storytelling made it an accessible film to even those unfamiliar to the anime landscape. Decades on, it remains a captivating, haunting and heartwarming escapade that only Ghibli and Miyazaki could deliver. It’s a pinnacle film that generations will come to adore ad infinitum.