Top 10 Best Films from Studio Ghibli

There is no character that sums up the soul of Ghibli better than Totoro. This big, fluffy forest spirit has become a worldwide icon. The film is an ode to the innocence of childhood and the comforting power of nature. There is no major threat; it is purely about the wonder of two sisters who move to the countryside. The enormous replica of the sisters' house in Ghibli Park is still one of the most visited places in Japan.

Spirited Away is the studio's crown jewel and even one of the best films of all time. The girl Chihiro's journey into a bathhouse full of ghosts is an unprecedented creative achievement. Almost every frame is full of strange figures and magical details that you won't see anywhere else. It is a rich and layered story about identity and courage that continues to fascinate children and adults alike. The film won an Oscar and definitively put Ghibli on the world map.

Kiki's Delivery Service is Ghibli's most charming film. We follow the thirteen-year-old witch Kiki who sets out on her broomstick to learn to stand on her own two feet in a new city. It is a subtle story about growing up, finding your passion and dealing with burnout. With her black cat Jiji by her side, Kiki reminds us that everyone loses their magic sometimes, but you can always find it again.

This film adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' book is all about magic and the power of the mind. The moving castle itself is a technical tour de force by the artists. Young Sophie, who turns into an old woman due to a curse, is a heart-warming character. The film is an ode to aging and self-acceptance, wrapped in a visual feast with wizards, fire spirits and flying machines.

Mononoke marked the studio's definitive worldwide breakthrough. It is a large-scale epic about the clash between the advancing iron industry and the old gods of the forest. The film is visually overwhelming and does not shy away from violence. What is impressive is that both sides of the conflict are made understandable. It is a complex story in which nature is portrayed not only as something beautiful, but also as something wild and untamed.

This is a film that you will probably only watch once in your life, but it will stay with you forever. Directed by Isao Takahata, it shows the raw reality of World War II through the eyes of a brother and sister. There are no heroes or villains, just the tragic struggle for survival. It is a sledgehammer of a film that shows that animation is a powerful medium for the most serious and painful subjects.

Without Nausicaä, Studio Ghibli would probably never have existed. Although the film was technically released just before its founding, it exudes the Ghibli spirit throughout. Princess Nausicaä is one of the most inspiring heroines in film history. In a world scarred by environmental pollution and war, she chooses empathy and understanding, even for the monsters that the rest of humanity fears. Her message about the balance between people and nature is more relevant today than ever.

Miyazaki's latest masterpiece proved upon its release that he has far from lost his edge. In 2024 the film even won the Oscar for best animated film. It is a dreamy and sometimes dark story about young Mahito who tries to cope with loss in a world where the boundaries between life and death are blurring. The film demands a lot from the viewer, but provides beautiful images and deep philosophical questions in return. It's a worthy addition to the list of classics.

In 2026, Castle in the Sky will celebrate its 40th anniversary, but the film has not lost any of its power. It was the studio's first official production and it immediately set the standard for what we could expect from Ghibli. When young miner Pazu sees a girl fall from the sky, an epic adventure begins to the floating island of Laputa.

This story about an Italian aviator with a pig snout is Miyazaki's most personal film. The desire to fly, a theme that runs through his entire oeuvre, bursts from the screen here. Set on the sun-drenched Adriatic Sea, the film mixes humor with a melancholic look at war and regret. Although the premise seems absurd, the pig pilot Marco feels surprisingly human.