Irrespective of age, Studio Ghibli is an emotion to anyone who has grown up watching Hayao Miyazaki’s unparallel visuals of the countryside and stunning world-building. It is hard to pick one favorite Studio Ghibli movie or even one favorite character because not only the animation but also the storylines, the characters, and the messages each movie conveys make Studio Ghibli movies truly exceptional. So, without further ado, here is a list of 15 Studio Ghibli movies everyone must watch!
The Must-Watch Studio Ghibli Movies
My Neighbor Totoro
We have to begin with one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most acclaimed Studio Ghibli movies, My Neighbor Totoro. Focusing on a schoolgirl, Satsuke, and her sister, Mei, this animated film offers the quintessential soothing portrayal of the countryside. The family settles into the countryside as they wait for their mother’s recovery from an illness. While they dwell in their home, they befriend some friendly and playful spirits, most notably the grey-colored titular character, Totoro.Â
Best Studio Ghibli Movies: Princess MononokeÂ
Princess Mononoke is a masterpiece due to its deep humanity and exciting imagination. This film is about a girl raised by wolves who will do everything and anything to protect her home (the forest) from humans. Ashitaka, the prince, happens to meet San (the girl from the forest) when he is on a quest to find a cure for a curse spelled on him. The forest is endangered by Lady Eboshi’s seemingly monstrous yet well-intentioned plans to find the wealth beneath the forest. Watch this powerful movie to see what happens to the forest and Ashitaka’s role in San’s life.
The Boy and the Heron
The Boy And The Heron is one of the latest Studio Ghibli movies, released in 2023. It is based on a little boy named Mahito who has been relocated to the countryside due to his mother’s demise in the Second World War. He meets the titular heron that pushes the young hero to keep going, and as a result, Mahito finds maturity and new perspectives. The characters want a world free of war and want surreality instead. However, the entire imbalance of the surreal world expresses how there has to be a balance of love and hate, which no one can alter as they exist within us. Give it a thought: do you think you’re more good than evil?
Spirited Away
Spirited Away is based on a young girl, Chihiro, who finds herself in a spirit realm because her parents were turned into pigs by a powerful witch named Yubaba. She is determined to rescue her parents and leave the realm with her friends’ help. Chihiro’s plan depends on her judgment, courage, and loyalty. On her journey, a lonely spirit, No Face, begins to follow Chihiro due to her sincerity and good intent. However, when they get to Yubaba’s bathhouse, where other spirits are seen, he abruptly becomes a menace, but Chihiro is able to discipline him. One of the most talked about Studio Ghibli movies, Spirited Away is certainly a must-watch.
Castle in the Sky
Castle In The Sky is the first official Studio Ghibli movie and the blueprint of all the Ghibli movies that followed it. It is about two children, Sheeta and Patu, who are on a mission to find Sheeta’s necklace, and they end up finding a flying castle, Laputa. They are accompanied by many hindrances, such as pirates, the army and even the government. However, their strong willpower and imagination help them get through these complications.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle is based on a mythical kingdom where magic and technology exist together. It revolves around one of the main characters, Sophie, who is cursed by a witch. In order to break the curse, she reaches out to a moving castle, where she meets Howl. Later, Howl and Sophie team up to rescue their loved ones. This masterpiece has the most imaginative visuals and is a treat for the eyes. It is certainly one of the most-loved and talked about Studio Ghibli movies of all time.
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Best Studio Ghibli Movies: Ponyo
Ponyo follows the journey of the titular goldfish, who wants to become a mortal after he meets a boy called Sosuke. In Ponyo’s transformation, she faces many challenges due to her magic; however, she still transforms into a girl and saves her loved ones with her friend. The vibrant colors are a visual treat, and the lesson taught in this film is the power of love and how people can achieve the impossible if they have love in their hearts.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
One of the most loved Studio Ghibli Movies, Kiki’s Delivery Service, is about the titular young witch who shifts to a new town due to some customs in her community. She is accompanied by her mysteriously talking cat, Jiji, and she begins to work for a bakery and starts to deliver. This is highly relatable to us all; feeling low and having an identity crisis is natural, but powering through and finding out what you’re meant to do can feel quite empowering, and watching Kiki and Jiji feels like a gush of fresh air.
Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is one of Ghibli’s most agonizing movies. Set in the final months of World War II, the movie follows Seita and Setsuko, two siblings who struggle to survive post-war insufficiencies and nuclear blowback. After losing their mother and house, they find shelter in a bomb shelter that teaches them to seek happiness no matter the conditions. If you haven’t watched this movie yet, be prepared to bawl your eyes out.
The Secret World Of Arrietty
The Secret World of Arrietty focuses on the lesson of valuing friendship. It’s about tiny people, also known as borrowers, who secretly seek shelter in the walls and floors of a human household. They cannot afford to be caught, and the main character befriends a human, Sho, who helps Arrietty’s family flee when they are discovered.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya revolves around a princess, Kaguya, who was found in a bamboo tree by a local. She grows up at a miraculously fast pace, and her father realizes this abnormality. Her father forcibly takes her to the city and completely shatters her innocent view of the world. She struggles to fulfill the expectations and roles forced upon her. Sounds relatable? Well, watch this beautiful Studio Ghibli movie to know what happens next.
From Up On Poppy HillÂ
From Up On Poppy Hill is a simple and emotional tale of Umi, who works day and night to compensate for her father’s loss in her family. Ironically, she has an ecstatic school life in Yokohama. Umi and her friends are keen on saving the Latin Quarter, a building, from demolition. Umi falls for Shun; however, their sweet teen love takes a huge turn after they discover about their fathers. This story is uncomplicated and easy to slide into kind of watch.
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Best Studio Ghibli Movies: Whisper Of The HeartÂ
Whisper of the Heart is a thriving romantic movie about Shizuku’s wanderings in achieving her dreams and realizing the efforts and hard work she needs to put in to achieve her goals. She is a carefree girl who decides to pursue her dreams seriously after meeting Seiji, an aspiring violin-maker. This movie’s message is that a little bit of push from your peers and an awake conscience are what it takes to achieve your goals. It is certainly one of the must-watch Studio Ghibli movies, especially if you are new to the Ghibli world.
The Wind Rises
The Wind Rises revolves around Jiro Horikoshi, who dreams of designing and flying beautiful planes. Short-sighted and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joined a huge Japanese Engineering company in 1927 and became a successful airplane designer. He finally completed the epic creation he had been working on for years – the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. However, to his complete torment, he discovers that his creation will be used in World War II. The movie entails the major happenings in his life – the great Santo Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic, and Japan’s plunge into war.
When Marnie Was ThereÂ
Anna believes she sits outside a magical circle where most people belong and shuts herself off from everyone. Concerned for her health, Anna’s mother sends her off to the countryside, where she meets mysterious Marnie, and soon they become inseparable. Gradually, Anna and Marnie’s bond blurs the boundaries of reality and fantasy. When Marnie Was There is one of the best Studio Ghibli movies, focusing on a young girl reconciling loss and grief through the vague memory of her grandmother.
Studio Ghibli has proven its relevance in Animated Cinema by creating these masterpieces and many more timeless movies. They are undoubtedly a treat to our eyes and souls. The unique ability of Studio Ghibli movies to blend soothing art with meaningful messages is truly unmatched.
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