One of the most aesthetic and groundbreaking animation movies comes from the popular Japanese film studio, Studio Ghibli. With compelling narratives and hand-drawn artistry, the studio created a remarkable library of films. The studio skillfully blended fantasy with deep themes like nature, complex situations in life, friendship, relationships, and humanism. Here, we highlight the best Studio Ghibli movies that invite the audience to delve into vibrant landscapes and relatable characters.
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Best Studio Ghibli Movies
1- Grave of the Fireflies
- IMDb: 8.5/10
- Release Date: April 16, 1988
Open the list of the best Studio Ghibli movies that feature a poignant story, “Grave of the Fireflies,” which stands out as a well-known film in the animation world. This film showcases the beautiful relationship between the two siblings as they struggle to survive after losing their mother in World War. Additionally, they experience loneliness, which teaches them what the harsh world actually looks like.
During this heartbreaking journey, both of them form a strong bond that helps them survive this drastic reality. Overall, this movie is simple but carries a strong message about how war affects the lives of normal and innocent beings.
2- Spirited Away
- IMDb: 8.6/10
- Release Date: July 20, 2001
Secondly, we have a magical story named Spirited Away, filled with powers, adventure, bravery, and friendship. It begins with a cute ten-year-old girl named Chihiro, who lives with her parents. Her life changes when her family moves to a new town and accidentally enters an abandoned amusement park. After Chihiro’s parents eat food meant for spirits, they turn into pigs, and she finds herself in a strange world of magical creatures and spirits. There, she meets a boy named Haku, who helps her navigate this challenging and spirited journey centered around self-development.
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3- My Neighbor Totoro
- IMDb: 8.1/10
- Release Date: April 16, 1988
Imagine finding a magical friend who supports you throughout life. My Neighbor Totoro ranks among the best Studio Ghibli movies, highlighting this concept as it follows young sisters Satsuki and Mei. They feel excited as they move to the countryside of Japan and explore their new home while their mother recovers from an illness in the hospital. In this charming old house, one day Mei discovers a cuddly creature called Totoro, who becomes her great friend with magical powers.
Together, they embark on many adventurous activities, such as planting seeds that grow overnight, among others. However, an unexpected event occurs when Mei gets lost while trying to visit their mother. Then, Satsuki asks Totoro for help and demonstrates the true meaning of friendship with deep emotion.
Note: Also watch My Neighbor Totoro in nearby theaters on December 11, 2024.
4- The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
- IMDb: 8.0/10
- Release Date: November 23, 2013
The next craft on the list of the best Studio Ghibli movies is The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, which illustrates the life of a mysterious girl. In this story, an old bamboo cutter finds a baby girl inside a luminous bamboo stalk. After seeing her, he and his wife believe she is a special child coming from heaven. They raise her as their own daughter and name her Kaguya. As time progresses, she becomes a beautiful woman who attracts several suitors, including five gentlefolk who wish to marry her.
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However, Kaguya doesn’t want to marry any of them, so she sets an impossible task for them. Eventually, the story unfolds as Kaguya realizes that she has a connection to the moon and must return to her rightful home.
5- Kiki’s Delivery Service
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Release Date: July 29, 1989
Kiki’s Delivery Service tells the story of an adult who struggles to make new friends, lives far away from family, and believes in herself. This charming tale follows the journey of a young witch named Kiki, who is excited to enter adulthood. To do this, she must leave her home with her black cat, Jiji, and live on her own for one year. After that, she flies to the seaside town of Koriko to search for a place to live and use her magical abilities. As Kiki figures out where to settle, she starts a delivery service using her broomstick.
However, she quickly realizes that fitting into the new community and making new friends is not simple. Throughout this, she encounters many challenges that test her confidence, and skills.
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6- Princess Mononoke
- IMDb: 8.3/10
- Release Date: July 12, 1997
The list of the best Studio Ghibli movies next features a meaningful message and highlights the importance of nature, Princess Mononoke. The narrative follows a cursed young warrior, Ashitaka, during the late Muromachi period. In search of a cure, Ashitaka embarks on a journey through the western lands, where he encounters a horrid battle between humans and nature.
He also meets a young woman, San, who fights to save the forest and its souls from the destructive forces of industry after being raised by wolves. As Ashitaka understands the challenges that both humans and forest creatures face, he realizes that life is not easy.
7- Only Yesterday
- IMDb: 7.6/10
- Release Date: July 20, 1991
As we grow older and revisit childhood places, nostalgia washes over us. In the movie Only Yesterday, 27-year-old Taeko experiences this emotion. This heart-touching story begins with Taeko, a Tokyo resident who feels out of place in her busy life. One day, she decides to visit her sister’s in-laws’ farm in the countryside to help harvest the safflower. During her travel journey from Tokyo to Yamagata on a sleeper train, the journey reminds her of her childhood memories. Throughout, these memories showcase Taeko as a ten-year-old girl facing school life challenges and experiencing feelings toward her family and friends, including elements of joy and sadness.
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Overall, you can watch all of the best Studio Ghibli movies of all time anytime and anywhere on platforms like Netflix, Prime, and Disney+ Hotstar. Additionally, explore the new title The Boy and the Heron, which is available on Prime and has a rating of 7.4 out of 10 on IMDb.
