Phrasemaker

With a rare magic that transcends age, language, and culture, Studio Ghibli films have become timeless, film after film. From visually breathtaking animations to deeply human stories, you can experience wonder and hope with each movie.

While there are several anime movies produced by the studio, narrowing down the best Studio Ghibli films can be a bit overwhelming. However, whether you’re a longtime fan or a newbie, there’s bound to be a movie that will resonate with you. In line with that, we’ve curated this list of the 11 best Studio Ghibli films that are an absolute must-watch.

Whisper of the Heart

In Whisper of the Heart, this coming-of-age tale follows Shizuku, an aspiring writer who’s curious about the world. On a seemingly normal day, she notices that all of her library books have been previously taken out by a boy named Seiji Amasawa. She goes through a string of unique experiences, such as encountering a strange cat, meeting an antiques dealer, and working on her first novel while chasing after this mysterious boy.

One of Studio Ghibli’s overlooked but still reputable films, Whisper of the Heart thematically revolves around the idea of transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood. It’s a film that highlights the idea of self-discovery and personal growth while carving out your desired future.

Spirited Away

Considered one of Studio Ghibli’s greatest animated films, Spirited Away should be one of the first movies from the studio you should check out. You follow a young girl named Chihiro who moves to a new neighborhood and stumbles upon the world of spirits in search of her parents, who have been turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba. While it seems like a classic hero story, it goes much deeper than that.

Most fantasy movies led by young characters often aren’t allowed to act like kids, but in Spirited Away, Chihiro is her most childish self. She gradually learns not only about the spirit world but also how truly big the world is around her. And that comes with the mess of growing up, such as becoming conflicted, selfish, selfless, and curious. To add to that, the movie has vibrant visuals, an incredible score, and an overall timeless story.

Ponyo

In Ponyo, we come to know of the movie’s titular character, a goldfish-like creature who escapes from the ocean and helps a human boy named Sosuke. After befriending Sosuke, Ponyo yearns to become a human, but the journey to becoming one is not without its consequences.

Ponyo is one of Studio Ghibli’s most visually entertaining films. It also delves into a heartfelt story about childhood friendship and love while tackling in-depth the ideas of environmentalism, especially the fine line of balance between nature and humanity. The film is a must-watch as its simple narrative and childlike lens are charming all throughout.

When Marnie Was There

While most of Studio Ghibli’s films are very hopeful, When Marnie Was There navigates loneliness, trauma, and healing. From a budding and mysterious friendship between Anna and Marnie in Hokkaido, the newfound friends help each other understand their pasts and self-worth.

This film is more than just about friendship. As the viewer, you’re also tasked with unravelling the mystery of Marnie’s background and Anna’s struggles. There’s a lot of chemistry between our two protagonists, and they explore platonic love in a gentle way that feels like you’re meeting a friend for the first time, too.

Porco Rosso

If you’re up for an adventure, Porco Rosso is the way to go. Its narrative revolves around an Italian World War I ex-fighter ace who has been strangely cursed to become an anthropomorphic pig. From called Marco Pagot, he’s now Porco Rosso, chasing air pirates across the Adriatic Sea.

Porco Rosso is filled with a lot of aerial action, social themes, and even some romance. The movie even talks a lot about freedom and dismantling corrupt systems. Even if most Studio Ghibli films seem to target younger audiences, they don’t shy away from telling stories with themes that matter and are for more mature audiences while still being fun and humorous.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Adapting from the classic Japanese literary tale, The Tale of Princess Kaguya tells the story of a mysterious young girl found in a bamboo stalk by a poor couple, who raise her as their own. As Kaguya grows in beauty and grace, her sudden rise to nobility brings both admiration and isolation.

What makes this Studio Ghibli film a must-watch is mainly its watercolor-like animation. To add to that, it subtly explores how fleeting human life is and how change will always be a part of that. Despite not drawing a lot of audiences and fans, this movie is one of a kind for the studio.

Princess Mononoke

Set in Japan’s Muromachi period, Princess Mononoke first centers on Ashitaka, a young Emishi prince who becomes cursed and eventually caught up in a conflict between the forest of the gods and a nearby town, and a feud between the town’s leader and San, a human girl raised by wolves.

This film has one of Studio Ghibli’s strongest feminist portrayals of its characters. Aside from that, the film dives into themes of environmentalism and societal diversity on a more realistic note. Princess Mononoke doesn’t only focus on the surface-level mediations between man and nature; it somewhat highlights how important it is to acknowledge the larger systems that affect both nature and humanity. The movie is thought-provoking and challenges our beliefs on how to better protect the environment.

My Neighbor Totoro

One of Studio Ghibli’s iconic films, My Neighbor Totoro, is a fantasy tale that follows the lives of two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who, after moving with their father to the countryside, meet and interact with different wood spirits in post-war Japan. This entry has a very gentle atmosphere and charming characters that you’ve probably seen across the internet even once.

In this movie, you feel like you’re immersed in the magical countryside with the forest brimming with life. You can get a sense of childlike wonder here in the movie as the lives of the two sisters are changed with their fantastical new friends. Furthermore, the film’s slow pacing allows you to enjoy the everyday moments Satsuki and Mei experience.

Grave of the Fireflies

Are you ready to get emotionally wrecked? In Grave of the Fireflies, this animated war film follows two orphaned siblings who struggled to survive during the final months of the Pacific War. The teenager Seita and his little sister, Setsuko, battle starvation as they try to care for each other.

Right off the bat, you could tell this was going to be a very emotionally charged movie. Its original story was based on Akiyuki Nosaka’s 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name. You’ll come face-to-face with the movie’s realistic portrayal of war’s impact on innocent civilians through the eyes of children. It’s a masterful anti-war tale that lingers with you.

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Another coming-of-age story you should check out is Kiki’s Delivery Service. It’s an awe-inspiring tale that follows Kiki, a young witch who moves to the port city of Koriko with her cat Jiji and starts a flying courier service. While everything seems great for Kiki, she suddenly begins to doubt herself and loses her magical abilities, leaving her to learn how to overcome her self-doubt.

From its magic and whimsy, this film hits on a personal level as it takes on one’s insecurities and navigates independence as a young adult. It’s quite a slice-of-life movie that empowers you to find your inner strengths and use them in creative ways to overcome your weaknesses. With the movie’s subtle use of magic and more simplistic animation style, the film becomes more grounded.

Howl’s Moving Castle

Last but not least is Howl’s Moving Castle, a massive fantasy film that explores both the ideas of romance and war. Set in a fictional kingdom where magic and 20th-century technology intertwine, it tells the story of Sophie, a young hatter who is cursed to turn into an elderly woman. Sophie is then swept up into the life of a wizard named Howl, who refuses to fight for the king.

Howl’s Moving Castle is mainly noted for its visual spectacle with imaginative animation, rich colors, and detailed architecture. Aside from that, the movie also explores war’s futility, self-confidence, and vulnerability. You’ll appreciate the different relationships Sophie establishes with each of the characters in the movie that make Howl’s Moving Castle such a character-driven tale.

Overall, Studio Ghibli’s films range from highlighting childlike wonder to putting weight on issues that matter, such as environmentalism and war. With some of the best Studio Ghibli films out there, you should give, if not all of them, some of them, a watch or rewatch from time to time. You might even learn a new thing or two about yourself further.

If these films left you craving for more animation stories, albeit underrated and niche ones, there’s a lot to explore. Disney has several niche Disney films you’ve probably never seen. And while some of them may not exactly be box-office hits, they’re worth checking out as they shine a light on the different eras of Disney in terms of storytelling and animation.