Ranking The Best Studio Ghibli Movies
We’ve spent years watching, rewatching, and passionately debating which Studio Ghibli films deserve the crown. Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the studio has built a legacy of heartfelt storytelling and hand-drawn magic that still feels rebellious in today’s digital age.
When we talk about Ghibli Studio’s best movies, it’s impossible not to mention Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. We could argue all night about the order, but that’s half the fun. Ghibli’s best movies aren’t just ranked—they’re lived, loved, and revisited like old friends.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki
- Genre: Fantasy, Coming-of-Age, Adventure
- Notable Quote: “Once you’ve met someone, you never really forget them.”
Hayao Miyazaki crafts a world that feels alive, from the smallest soot sprite to the grandest spirit. Every frame hums with detail, and every sound seems to breathe. It’s the kind of film where you pause just to admire the background.
We step into Spirited Away like tourists who accidentally booked a trip to another dimension and honestly, we’re not mad about it.
What makes it special isn’t just the fantasy, but how real Chihiro’s growth feels. We watch her go from shrinking behind others to standing tall on her own terms.
Even after two decades, Spirited Away still feels fresh. It’s like a reminder that bravery isn’t about slaying dragons; it’s about finding your voice when the world turns strange.
2. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Yōji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yūko Tanaka
- Genre: Historical fantasy, adventure, drama
- Notable Quote: “Cut off a wolf’s head and it still has the power to bite.”
We can’t talk about Studio Ghibli’s legacy without bowing to Princess Mononoke. This film doesn’t just raise the bar—it melts it down, reforges it in iron, and hands it to us like a challenge. It’s gritty, spiritual, and unapologetically human.
Set in Japan’s Muromachi period, the story follows Ashitaka, a cursed prince searching for a cure, who stumbles into a brutal clash between nature and industry.
The animation still stuns us decades later. Every frame feels alive, from the eerie stillness of the forest gods to the chaos of Irontown’s machines. Joe Hisaishi’s score doesn’t just accompany the visuals—it breathes with them, shifting from haunting to hopeful in a heartbeat.
3. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Hitoshi Takagi
- Genre: Animated Fantasy / Slice of Life
- Notable Quote: “Totoro? That’s what you’re called?”
We all need a little magic in our lives.
My Neighbor Totoro delivers it with quiet confidence. Hayao Miyazaki invites us into 1950s rural Japan, where two sisters stumble upon forest spirits that feel more like guardians than ghosts. There’s no villain, no grand quest—just the gentle rhythm of life and wonder.
This film reminds us that not every story needs conflict to feel alive. The absence of drama gives space for curiosity, laughter, and those small moments that make childhood feel infinite. Watching it feels like breathing fresh air after a storm.
We can’t ignore Joe Hisaishi’s score either—it hums with warmth and innocence, perfectly syncing with Kazuo Oga’s lush backgrounds. Together, they create a world that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
4. Castle in the Sky (1986)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Science Fiction
- Notable Quote: “The world cannot live without love.”
We still remember the first time we saw Castle in the Sky. That opening chase through the clouds had us hooked before we even knew who was running.
This was Studio Ghibli’s debut feature, and wow, did it set the bar high. It’s got flying ships, ancient technology, and heartwarming sincerity all rolled into one.
The story follows two kids, Pazu and Sheeta, who get swept up in a race to find a mythical floating island called Laputa. It’s part treasure hunt, part moral lesson, and part sky-high daydream.
Every frame feels handcrafted, from the rusted airships to the gentle robots that guard the ruins.
It’s the kind of film that makes us look up at the sky and wonder if Laputa might still be floating somewhere above the clouds.
5. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Aki Asakura, Kengo Kora, Nobuko Miyamoto, James Caan, Chloë Grace Moretz
- Genre: Historical Fantasy, Drama
- Notable Quote: “The more I see of the world, the more I long for the one I left behind.”
Takahata’s final film feels like a painting come to life. Every brushstroke deliberate, every silence louder than words. The watercolor animation style strips away gloss and gives us something raw, imperfect, and deeply human.
Based on the 10th-century folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, this film trades spectacle for soul. It’s less about fantasy creatures and more about the quiet ache of growing up, of being told who to be when all you want is to be free. Takahata doesn’t just tell a story; he sketches emotion itself.
It’s easy to see why critics call it one of Ghibli’s most underrated works. It doesn’t shout for attention—it quietly earns it.
6. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, Kappei Yamaguchi, Keiko Toda
- Genre: Fantasy, Coming-of-Age, Slice of Life
- Notable Quote: “Take long walks. Look at the scenery. Doze off at noon. Don’t even think about flying. And then, pretty soon you’ll be flying again.”
We all remember being thirteen and thinking independence meant instant freedom. Kiki’s Delivery Service turns that fantasy into a tender, grounded story about growing up, losing confidence, and finding it again. Oh, and add a broom and a talking cat.
Kiki leaves home to start her own delivery business in a seaside city that looks straight out of a European postcard. The pastel rooftops, cobblestone streets, and Joe Hisaishi’s airy score make us feel like we could hop on a broom and join her deliveries.
What sets this film apart is how quietly it handles struggle. Kiki doesn’t fight monsters or villains; she wrestles with burnout and self-doubt. It’s refreshingly honest, especially for a film marketed to kids.
7. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa, Emily Mortimer, Christian Bale
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
- Notable Quote: “A heart’s a heavy burden.”
We can’t talk about Studio Ghibli magic without mentioning Howl’s Moving Castle. Heck, even Christian Bale called it an underrated masterpiece!
This film sweeps us into a world where floating fortresses creak across misty valleys and wizards dodge royal summons like it’s just another Tuesday.
Sophie, a humble hat maker, finds her life flipped when a witch’s curse turns her into an elderly woman. Instead of despair, she packs up her courage and stumbles into Howl’s chaotic moving home—part machine, part magic, and fully unhinged.
What follows is a story that blends anti-war sentiment, self-acceptance, and quiet acts of kindness. Every frame feels alive—steam hissing, gears turning, and hearts literally burning.
8. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Sumi Shimamoto, Gorō Naya, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Yōji Matsuda
- Genre: Post-apocalyptic fantasy, adventure, environmental drama
- Notable Quote: “The Valley of the Wind will not die.”
Released in 1984, this film didn’t just precede Studio Ghibli—it practically birthed it. It’s the kind of movie that makes you pause mid-snack and whisper, “Wait, this came out in the ’80s?”
The story drops us into a world scarred by ancient war, where toxic forests and giant insects rule. Our heroine, Princess Nausicaä, doesn’t fight nature—she listens to it. She glides across poisoned skies on her windrider, proving empathy can be as revolutionary as any weapon.
What makes this film hit different is its quiet confidence. The animation feels alive, the world-building meticulous, and Joe Hisaishi’s debut score? Absolutely hypnotic. It’s the perfect pairing of visual poetry and scientific curiosity.
We love how Nausicaä balances scale and intimacy. One moment we’re staring down colossal creatures; the next, we’re watching Nausicaä cradle a wounded insect like a friend. It’s a reminder that compassion isn’t weakness—it’s evolution.
9. Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Yoko Honna, Issei Takahashi, Shigeru Tsuyuguchi
- Genre: Coming-of-age, Romance, Drama
- Notable Quote: “If you listen closely, you can hear your heart whisper.”
We’ve all had that moment when a random name keeps popping up in our lives and suddenly feels like fate. Whisper of the Heart turns that quiet curiosity into a tender story about creativity, young love, and finding purpose. It’s Studio Ghibli’s most grounded film, trading flying castles for library cards and violin strings.
Directed by Yoshifumi Kondō and written by Hayao Miyazaki, this 1995 gem follows Shizuku, a book-loving teen chasing both inspiration and identity. Her connection with Seiji, an aspiring violin maker, unfolds with a gentle realism that feels refreshingly honest. No grand magic—just the everyday wonder of growing up.
We love how the film captures the awkward, thrilling chaos of discovering what you’re meant to do. The animation glows with warm Tokyo sunsets, and the soundtrack—yes, that unforgettable “Country Roads” moment hits right in the chest.
10. Porco Rosso (1992)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Shūichirō Moriyama, Tokiko Katō, Akemi Okamura, Akio Ōtsuka
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
- Notable Quote: “I’d rather be a pig than a fascist.”
We meet Porco Rosso, a jaded ex–fighter pilot who happens to look like a pig and flies a red seaplane across the Adriatic.
Set in 1930s Italy, the film mixes breezy aerial chases with quiet reflections on war, pride, and the cost of disillusionment. Beneath the charm of sky pirates and biplane duels, it’s really about a man who can’t quite forgive the world or himself.
Porco’s partnership with the young engineer Fio brings warmth and humor, while his friendship with the elegant Gina adds just the right touch of wistful romance. Together, they balance the film’s melancholy tone with optimism and wit.
11. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi
- Genre: War, Drama, Animation
- Notable Quote: “Why do fireflies have to die so soon?”
We all know Studio Ghibli for its whimsy and wonder, but Grave of the Fireflies hits differently—it strips away fantasy and leaves us face-to-face with the human cost of war. Isao Takahata directs with quiet precision, showing us that animation can carry the same emotional weight as any live-action film.
Set in wartime Japan, it follows two siblings navigating a world collapsing around them. The story doesn’t rely on spectacle; it focuses on small, human moments—shared meals, laughter, and fleeting joy. Each scene feels painfully real, as if we’re intruding on someone’s memories.
To many, this is a masterpiece that you wouldn’t watch a second time just because of how heartbreaking it is.
12. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Mirai Shida, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Shinobu Otake, Tomokazu Miura
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
- Notable Quote: “Sometimes you have to be seen to be understood.”
We step into The Secret World of Arrietty and instantly feel like giants trespassing in a world built from buttons, pins, and sugar cubes. Studio Ghibli turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, showing how a single leaf can become a roof and a sewing pin transforms into a sword.
Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, this adaptation of The Borrowers marks his feature debut—and what a debut it is. The film delivers that signature Ghibli warmth with delicate animation and quiet emotional beats that make us slow down and breathe.
Arrietty’s world feels alive, from the creak of floorboards to the whisper of wind through grass. The attention to scale makes every scene feel intimate and immersive.
We also have to talk about the music by Cécile Corbel. Her Celtic-inspired score wraps the film in a soft, lyrical glow that lingers long after the credits roll. It’s the kind of soundtrack that makes us want to live in a teacup-sized cottage surrounded by moss and moonlight.
13. The Wind Rises (2013)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Hideaki Anno, Miori Takimoto, Hidetoshi Nishijima
- Genre: Historical Drama, Romance
- Notable Quote: “The wind is rising… we must try to live.”
We watch The Wind Rises and instantly feel Miyazaki’s lifelong fascination with flight take center stage. It’s not the typical Ghibli fantasy—no talking cats or forest spirits here—but a grounded, human story about ambition, love, and the bittersweet cost of creation.
Jiro Horikoshi, an aeronautical engineer, dreams of designing beautiful planes. The catch? Those same planes will one day be used for war. This tension—between artistry and consequence—drives the film’s quiet power. It’s elegance wrapped in melancholy, like watching someone paint their masterpiece knowing it might burn.
The animation feels almost too real. Every gust of wind, every trembling hand, every engine hum breathes with precision. We can practically feel the air lifting the wings. The film’s realism shows that animation doesn’t need fantasy to feel alive—it just needs truth.
We love how it flirts with romance and tragedy without ever losing its composure. Jiro’s relationship with Nahoko brings warmth to the film’s cool engineering world. Their moments together remind us that beauty and sorrow often share the same sky.
It’s a film about chasing dreams even when they’re cursed, about finding grace in imperfection. We leave it feeling wistful, grounded, and strangely uplifted—like we’ve just glided through someone else’s dream.
14. Ponyo (2008)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Yuria Nara, Hiroki Doi, Tomoko Yamaguchi, Kazushige Nagashima
- Genre: Fantasy, Family, Adventure
- Notable Quote: “I want to be human!”
We dive headfirst into Ponyo, Hayao Miyazaki’s ocean-splashed reimagining of The Little Mermaid that trades royal castles for cozy seaside homes and replaces drama with pure childlike wonder. It’s a story that feels as if the sea itself decided to tell a bedtime tale.
A young boy named Sosuke rescues a strange goldfish who clearly has more personality than your average pet. That “goldfish” happens to be Ponyo, a magical being with a serious fascination for the human world—and an even bigger obsession with ham. Their friendship quickly spirals into a whimsical chain of events that blurs the line between land and sea.
We love how Ponyo captures the chaos and innocence of childhood without ever talking down to its audience. The animation glows with hand-painted waves and swirling colors that make every frame feel alive. It’s soft yet daring, simple yet layered with environmental and emotional depth.
It’s one of Ghibli’s most accessible films—sweet, funny, and visually hypnotic. Even when Ponyo’s magic threatens to upend the natural order, we can’t help but root for her. After all, who among us hasn’t wanted to rewrite the rules of the world for a little bit of love and adventure?
15. The Cat Returns (2002)
Image Source: Studio Ghibli
- Cast: Chizuru Ikewaki, Yoshihiko Hakamada, Tetsu Watanabe
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Coming-of-Age
- Notable Quote: “Isn’t it okay to become a cat?”
We love how The Cat Returns takes a simple “save a cat” moment and flips it into a full-blown royal invitation to the Cat Kingdom. It’s lighthearted, fast-paced, and just weird enough to make us question if we, too, would accept tea from a talking feline in a suit.
Unlike Ghibli’s heavier emotional hitters, this one feels like a breezy detour — short, funny, and unapologetically odd. Haru’s journey from clumsy schoolgirl to semi-cat heroine gives us a taste of magical realism without the existential crisis. It’s a comfort watch with paws, whiskers, and a pinch of chaos.
We can’t ignore the charm of Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, the gentleman cat who oozes old-school charisma. He’s the kind of character who makes us wish we owned a talking cat statue that could give life advice and pour perfect tea. Muta, on the other hand, steals scenes by simply existing and eating cake like it’s a sport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studio Ghibli Movies
1. Which Studio Ghibli Movie Should I Watch?
If we’re diving into Ghibli for the first time, Spirited Away is the perfect entry point. A full package of everything the studio stands for: imagination, empathy, and a hint of weirdness.
But if we’re craving something gentler, My Neighbor Totoro delivers comfort and charm in every frame.
2. Should I Watch Studio Ghibli Movies in English?
The English dubs of Ghibli films are often well-crafted, featuring familiar voices like Anne Hathaway in The Cat Returns or Michael Keaton in Porco Rosso. They make the stories approachable without losing their quirky charm.
But let’s be honest, the original Japanese audio hits differently. The tone, pacing, and emotion feel more authentic, especially in films like Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke.
Still, the choice is ultimately yours.
3. Where To Watch Studio Ghibli Movies Online?
In Malaysia, a lot of Studio Ghibli films are made available on Netflix. However, if you want to watch these amazing classics on the big screens, TGV Cinemas does have reruns, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!
