Top 10 Studio Ghibli Films

TV & Film

Apr 23

Studio Ghibli was founded in Japan in 1985 by directors and animators Hayao Miyazaki and Takahata Isao and producer Suzuki Toshio. Today it is one of the most well know anime studios in the world. The company is known for its magical stories, all-star casts, and breathtaking animations. In honor of GhibliFest currently going on in theaters across the country and the upcoming release of the Studio’s 24th film, How Do You Live, let’s take a look at 10 of the studio’s best films!

10. Pom Poko (1994)

This is one of the most underrated Studio Ghibli films of all time. Before Studio Ghibli’s film catalog was added to HBO Max, fans would only know of this film if they were from Japan or purchased a film collection. The film tells the legend of Racoon Dogs which are real animals living in the woods of Japan. Many believe that they have the ability to shape-shift and blend in with humans. In the film, a group of these animals band together in an attempt to stop developers from tearing down their forest. The film is stunning and exposes Western audiences to legends and myths from Japan. It also features the voice acting talents of Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Clancy Brown, and J.K. Simmons.

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9. Castle In The Sky (1986)

This is one of the most stunning films the studio has ever made. The film follows a young girl who possesses a sacred crystal. After escaping from her captors, she meets a young boy who dreams of discovering Laputa, the castle in the sky, and this young girl may hold the answers he has been searching for. The film features the voice acting talents of Mark Hamill, Anna Paquin, and James Van Der Beek.

8. Ponyo (2008)

This is one of my favorite films from the studio. To many, the film feels like a retelling of The Little Mermaid because it follows the story of a young fish who longs to escape her overbearing father. After meeting a young boy, she begins to transform into a human which leads to an incredible adventure for both the children and the adults. Although there are plenty of similarities to the story of The Little Mermaid, it turns out that there is no connection! During a documentary called 10 Years With Hayao Miyazaki, they said this was one of his most difficult films to make because it started with only a singular character, Ponyo. After seeing an image of a friend’s little girl, Miyazaki was inspired to create a character based on her. The film features the voice acting talents of Liam Neeson, Cate Blanchett, and Tina Fey.

7. Porco Rosso (1992)

This is the only film on the list that was made more for adults than children. The film follows the story of a Sea Plane Pirate named Porco Rosso who was turned into a pig after his actions during the war. He is portrayed as a selfish man with only one person in his corner rooting for him to come back each time he goes off on a job. That is until he meets a young girl that will change his life forever. The film features the voice acting talents of Michael Keaton, Susan Egan, and Cary Elwes.

6. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

This film was my introduction to Studio Ghibli, and it remains the one I recommend to anyone wanting to introduce their kids to the studio. The film follows the story of a young witch who leaves home shortly after her 13th birthday to start her training. Everything that can go wrong does, but she makes incredible friends and discovers her true strengths along the way. This film features the voice acting talents of Kirsten Dunst, Debbie Reynolds, and Matthew Lawrence.

5. From Up On Poppy Hill (2011)

This is the newest film on my list, and it is another that is criminally underrated. The best thing about this film is that it shows how well Miyazaki and his studio do at creating a magical story without including any actual magic. The film follows the story of a young girl who runs a boarding house owned by her grandmother. After a misunderstanding, her life seems to be turned a bit on its head until a heart-pounding and warming ending. The film features the voice acting talents of Aubrey Plaza, Anton Yelchin, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

4. Spirited Away (2001)

This is easily the most recognizable Studio Ghibil film of all time. The film not only won the hearts of fans across the world, but it also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003. This film follows the story of a young girl who goes on the journey of a lifetime after she is separated from her parents and helps save and change every character that she meets. The film features the voice acting talents of Jason Marsden, Susan Egan, and Bob Bergen.

3. Whisper Of The Heart (1995)

This is my favorite film that the studio has ever made. This film tells the story of a young girl who is simply going with the flow of life and tries to spend as much time as possible hidden within the pages of her books. After a chance encounter with The Baron, her entire life begins to change as it fills with adventure and love. This is another example of a story about mundane things that when looked at a certain way are actually full of magic. The film features the voice acting talents of Brittany Snow, Dee Bradley Baker, and Cary Elwes.

2. Howl’s Moving Castle (2005)

This is another film that most fans think of when they think of Studio Ghibli. Based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones, the film tells the story of a young girl who is turned into an old woman after an encounter with a witch. She seeks refuge with the wizard, Howl, and quickly learns that not all of the stories she has been told about him are true. This is one of the most beautiful films that the studio has released. The film features the voice acting talents of Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, and Josh Hutcherson.

1. My Neighbor Totoro (1988 & 2005)

While this film may still fly under the radar of many fans, the titular character does not. After the fan reaction to the character in Japan, the studio chose to make him their mascot, and he is now as recognizable as Mickey Mouse or Spongebob Squarepants. The film follows two sisters who move to the country with their father so that they can be closer to their mom’s hospital. The youngest sister meets Totoro, a forest spirit, and he changes their lives forever. There are two different English versions of the film, but the 2005 Disney release is the one that most American fans have been exposed to. The film features the voice acting talents of Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, and Frank Welker.

All of these films are available to stream on HBO Max and How Do You Live is set to release in Japan on July 14, 2023.

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