In the fine month of August 2023, my wife and I finished our journey watching all the dubbed Studio Ghibli movies. It took us about a year to get through all of them. Below you’ll see how we ranked them all.
If you’re not familiar with Studio Ghibli, they’re a famous Japanese animation studio known for such movies as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo. Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki found the Studio in 1985.
Below, my wife and I have ranked all the movies we watched. It was a tough job, but we did it. Taking the average of our ranks, we've ordered them. Due to time constraints, I'm not going into detail about our thoughts for each one, but if we're being honest, none of these are bad. Each one is worth watching at least once. Also note that each image should link you directly to the item on Amazon through an affiliate link. I encourage you to check out the Amazon page for additional details about the items if you're curious about any of them.
#1: Ponyo (Alexander Rank: 4 / Abby Rank: 2)
This is a charming story about friendship between a boy and his goldfish, who turns out to be an underwater wizard's headstrong daughter. She sets out to become a human and stay with her new friend.
My wife loves this one because it's extra cute. I agree wholeheartedly. The design of the story amplifies my love of the movie. There are no villians. Just good people doing their best. If you're looking for a good family movie to start the Ghibli journey. This is the place to start.
#2 The Secret World of Arriety (Alexander Rank: 8 / Abby Rank: 1)
There's a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, where little people called Borrowers live out of sight of humans. While brave and tiny Arreity is out gathering supplies, she befriends a human boy and together they have an extraordinary adventure.
This is my wife's favorite. Straight from her: The artwork is enchanting, the ending is perfect, and it's exceptional how they take everyday human objects and incorporate them into the lives of the Borrowers.
#3 Princess Mononoke (Alexander Rank: 1 / Abby Rank: 8)
Inflicted with a deadly curse, Ashitaka leaves his clan to find a cure. When he arrives at Iron Town he becomes entangled in a bitter conflict between the town and the mystical inhabbitants of the forest that surrounds it.
Easily my favorite, this one has a more adult feel. Not to mention I'm a sucker for a good love story.
#4 Howl's Moving Castle (Alexander Rank: 5 / Abby Rank: 5)
Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman. On a quest to break the spell, Sophie climbs aboard Howl's magnificent moving castle and into a new life of wonder and adventure.
#5 The Cate Returns (Alexander Rank: 7 / Abby Rank: 4)
After preventing a cat from being hit by a truck, the teenage protagonist is whisked away to the Kingdom of Cats, a magical world where she becomes the object of affection for a charming feline prince.
#6 Kiki's Delivery Service (Alexander Rank: 10 / Abby Rank: 3)
It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation.
#7 Nausicaa Valley of the Wind (Alexander Rank: 3 / Abby Rank: 13)
After a global war, the seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind remains one of the last strongholds on Earth untouched by a poisonous jungle and the powerful insects that guard it. Led by the courageous Princess Nausicaä, the people of the Valley engage in an epic struggle to restore the bond between humanity and Earth.
#8 When Marnie Was There (Alexander Rank: 9 / Abby Rank: 10)
When shy, artistic Anna travels to the seaside to stay with relatives, she stumbles upon an old mansion surrounded by marshes, and the mysterious young girl, Marnie, who lives there. The two girls instantly form a unique connection and friendship that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. As the days go by, a nearly magnetic pull draws Anna back to the Marsh House again and again, and she begins to piece together the truth surrounding her strange new friend.
#9 The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Alexander Rank: 2 / Abby Rank: 17)
Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her—but ultimately, she must confront her fate and embark on a transformative journey.
This one offers a highly unique story along with exceptional artwork.
#10 Porco Rosso (Alexander Rank: 6 / Abby Rank: 15)
When "Porco"—whose face has been transformed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell—infuriates a band of sky pirates with his aerial heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a rival pilot, to "get rid" of him. On the ground, the two pilots compete for the affections of the beautiful Gina. But it is in the air where the true battles are waged.
#11 Spirited Away (Alexander Rank: 11 / Abby Rank: 11)
Chihiro's family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world.
Statistically speaking, I believe this is the most popular Ghibli film, but somehow, my wife and I agree with ranking it at 11.
#12 The Wind Rises (Alexander Rank: 14 / Abby Rank: 9)
Jiro Horikoshi is fascinated by aviation but unable to become a pilot due to a medical condition. He moves to Tokyo in 1923, surviving the Great Kanto Earthquake to become a highly accomplished airplane designer. As rumors of war escalate, Jiro reunites with Nahoko, a young woman he met during the earthquake years earlier. The two fall deeply in love, just as Nahoko falls ill with tuberculosis. Inspired by visions of Italian aeronaut Caproni, Jiro must confront mounting tragedies with dignity in this epic tale of love and perseverance.
#13 Only Yesterday (Alexander Rank: 18 / Abby Rank: 6)
Having lived her whole life in the city, 27-year-old Taeko decides to visit her relatives in the countryside. As she travels, memories of her youth resurface and after meeting young farmer Toshio, she wonders if she's been true to the dreams of her childhood self. Deftly switching between past and present, Only Yesterday is a masterpiece of time and tone.
#14 Whisper of the Heart (Alexander Rank: 17 / Abby Rank: 7)
When teenage schoolgirl Shizuku discovers the books she borrowed from the library were all previously checked out by the same person, her quest to find the mystery man leads to surprises and an unexpected romance.
#15 Castle in the Sky (Alexander Rank: 13 / Abby Rank: 14)
This high-flying adventure begins when Pazu, an engineer's apprentice, spies a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky, held aloft by a glowing pendant. Both Sheeta and Pazu are searching for the legendary floating castle, Laputa, and they vow to travel there together to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal. But their quest won't be easy, as soon they are being pursued by greedy air pirates, the military, and secret government agents, who all seek the power Sheeta alone can control.
#16 My Neighbor the Yamadas (Alexander Rank: 12 / Abby Rank: 18)
Through a series of delightful vignettes, the tight-knit clan-led by father Takashi and mother Matsuko-has a series of hilarious misadventures.
This one gives major newspaper comic strip vibes. Unlike the other movies on this list, My Neighbor the Yamadas is a series of shorts. I enjoyed it; however, it is lacking in meaningful story.
#17 My Neighbor Totoro (Alexander Rank: 19 / Abby Rank: 12)
When Satsuki and her sister Mei move with their father to a New home in the countryside, they find country life is not as simple as it seems. They soon discover that the house and nearby woods are full of strange and delightful creatures, including a gigantic but gentle forest spirit called Totoro, who can only be seen by children.
This one is highly popular among Ghibli fans, but my wife and I just couldn't get into it. Still a good watch, but not a top ranker.
#18 From Up on Poppy Hill (Alexander Rank: 20 / Abby Rank: 16)
Yokohama, 1963. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of WWII and preparing to host the Olympics. The mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi and Shun —but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.
#19 Tales from Earthsea (Alexander Rank: 15 / Abby Rank: 21)
As the fantastic realm of Earthsea is threatened with extinction, a young prince and a powerful wizard venture forth on a perilous quest to restore balance to the world before it's too late.
It's my understanding that most Ghibli fans don't like this one. While I agree that it's lacking in Ghibli charm, it's still an enjoyable movie.
#20 Earwig and the Witch (Alexander Rank: 16 / Abby Rank: 23)
Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.
This one wins the lowest rank from Abby, and I agree with most of her opinion. This movie has it's faults. The art direction doesn't fit with Ghibli style, and the ending is an absolute mess. Even with all that said, I still enjoyed the ride. I'd watch it again, but Abby probably won't.
#21 Pom Poko (Alexander Rank: 22 / Abby Rank: 19)
A raccoon community whose residents attempt to save their homes from being destroyed by urban developers. Joining together to master the magical art of shapeshifting, the clever critters embark on a wonderful mission to protect all that they hold dear.
I'll be honest. I recommend this one to no one. This is not the place to start your Ghibli journey. If you know, you know.
#22 Grave of the Fireflies (Alexander Rank: 23 / Abby Rank: 20)
As the Empire of the Sun crumbles upon itself and a rain of firebombs falls upon Japan, the final death march of a nation is echoed in millions of smaller tragedies. This is the story of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, two children born at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and now cast adrift in a world that lacks not the care to shelter them, but simply the resources. Forced to fend for themselves in the aftermath of fires that swept entire cities from the face of the earth, their doomed struggle is both a tribute to the human spirit and the stuff of nightmares.
This one is the lowest ranker for me. If you suffer from depression, you might want to stay away from this one. It won't help. They've taken most of the Ghilbli charm out of this one and replaced it with the saddest stuff they can find.
#23 The Red Turtle (Alexander Rank: 21 / Abby Rank: 22)
This film tells the story of a man shipwrecked at sea who becomes stranded on a beautiful but desolate island. He learns to live in isolation, seemingly tormented in his efforts to escape the island by a giant red turtle. Miraculously, he soon comes upon a young woman also lost at sea and they create a family together.
We tried pretty hard to enjoy this one, but it just doesn't make enough sense.
And that's our ranking of the Ghibli movies. It's been an amazing journey, and though there have been some that ranked low, they're all worth watching. Hopefully, this will help you add a few new movies to your watch list.
CURRENTLY LISTENING:
Yugeki, by Yoichiro Yoshikawa. I'm a sucker for 90s anime music. This one is from a Sci-Fi anime called IRIA: The Zeiram Animation. If you like Sci-Fi, I recommend it. It's on Amazon here.
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