Top 12 Studio Ghibli Movies (Ranked)

On 19 January 2020, Netflix made a pretty big announcement,

Studio Ghibli the Award-Winning Japanese anime studio, agreed to have almost all its movies available to stream on Netflix. This is a pretty big deal.

Why?

Because it previously wasn’t possible for people like me to watch these movies anywhere, unless you saw it in the theatre when it came out, or you physically bought a DVD from a store, or you watch it on you know which sites😆😉😉. I’m going to rank them as best Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix, Best Studio Ghibli movies in 2021, Best Studio Ghibli movies for the family.

Contents:

• INTRO
• LITTLE SUMMARY ON THE ANIME
• LIST
• CONCLUSION
• QUESTIONS

 

(👇👇 you can scroll down for a direct list if you are not interested in summary👇👇)

 

So let's get started without wasting any time,

12. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea:

This film was considered to be drawn in a simpler, brighter animation style that appealed more to children, an attempt at innovation by the film’s legendary director, Hayao Miyazaki. This movie has one of the most iconic of all Studio Ghibli’s characters Ponyo.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

11. Whisper of the Heart:

My next studio ghibli movie is Whisper of the heart. This is a movie about young love and coming out of one’s shell to do what you want to do in the world. If you want to sing, sing. And if you want to be an artist, then be brave and just create. Now I found this movie quite boring, really because nothing I care about is happening to the main characters.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

10. Howl’s Moving Castle:

Is a film that I wish could be higher on this list, but it’s not. It’s Howl’s Moving Castle. This film was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and adapted from the Diana Wynne Jones novel. This film is about a young woman who is cursed by a witch to look like an old woman,

And must travel across the land in search of the mysterious wizard Howl, I was disappointed with the ending tho.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

9. Only Yesterday:

This film directed by Isao Takahata, tells the story of a woman who reminisces about her childhood as she travels to the countryside for a well-needed break. It's none other than Only yesterday, 

I think it’s wonderfully animated with its use of color and fidelity to distinguish between past and present. It’s a very slow-paced, slice-of-life story that is part coming-of-age, part soul-searching. And I think it’s worth a watch if you can handle slow movies.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

8. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind:

My next studio ghibli movie is Nausicaa of the valley of the wind this film was a great success for Studio Ghibli in the 80s and tells the story of a young princess leading her people in a post-apocalyptic world of environmental toxicity, 

This was the first in a collection of Studio Ghibli movies that touch on the beautiful and sacred nature of the environment.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

7. Kiki’s Delivery Service:

My next studio ghibli movie is Kiki’s Delivery Service, Many people have fond memories of this movie, another Miyazaki film. This film is about a witch-in-training named Kiki, who has to find a new town to live in on her own for the first time.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

6. Castle in the Sky:

If Nausicaa didn’t do it, then this movie solidified Studio Ghibli’s reputation for creating fantasy worlds. As the second Ghibli movie in 1986, Castle in the Sky tells the story of a miner boy, who finds a mysterious girl on the run from sky pirates as well as the military. What comes after is a far-flung adventure that was ambitious, thrilling, and ultimately pretty poignant.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

5. Ocean Waves:

This movie is extremely underrated, Ocean Waves is a movie that is pretty much hell-bent on creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, with its short story of teenage romance, and the memory of simpler times in our lives.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

4. Princess Mononoke:

One of the most beloved Studio Ghibli movies, Princess Mononoke is what effectively revitalized Studio Ghibli in the late 90s, with its spectacular animation, deep, well-balanced characters, and a score that is as epic as it gets in a fantasy movie. The film tells the story of a young Prince who is cursed one day, and travels across the land to find a cure, only to get caught in a war between nature and industry.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

3. My Neighbour Totoro:

I’m willing to bet that most people have this movie in their Top 3 as well, and for good reason. My next studio ghibli movie is My neighbor Totoro. This movie is so light and happy, cute, and hopeful. The story is about two girls and their father who move to a village and encounter some strange happenings around their new house.

And next on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies, 

2. The Wind Rises:

This movie is The wind rises, about a young boy who dreams of building airplanes, and his experiences throughout his life. I thought this movie was flat-out astounding for not only the way it captured the beauty of the landscape, and the ruggedness of towns, but also the way it deals with the central character, a man who, you might learn, is known in our history for some not-so-nice things.

And the last one on the list of top 12 STUDIO GHIBLI Movies,

1. Spirited Away:

No film showcases the joy of creativity, the unpredictability of adventure, and the satisfaction of atmospheric calm better than Spirited Away. The only Studio Ghibli movie to have won the Oscar for Best Animated Film, 

Spirited Away is not just the best Studio Ghibli movie, it’s also one of the best-animated movies, period. It’s certainly the highest-ranked animated film on IMDb. I think the best part is that you might not even love it the first time you see it, but it sparks a curiosity like few movies can, so rewatching it is almost a necessity.

LIST:

• Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
• Whisper of the Heart
• Howl’s Moving Castle
• Only Yesterday
• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
• Kiki’s Delivery Service
• Castle in the Sky
• Ocean Waves
• Princess Mononoke
• My Neighbour Totoro
• The Wind Rises
• Spirited Away

CONCLUSION:

This is based on my own opinion, and my word is not the law. I’m happy for you to take my word as gospel, but I’m pretty sure you have your own opinions too, so leave your rankings in the comments and we can have a nice discussion about it,

So there you have it, Top 12 Studio Ghibli movies ranked according to me. If you’ve made it this far, then seriously, you deserve a medal. Thanks so much for reading, as always, I’ll be back with a new blog soon.

Questions:

I would love to hear your thoughts, so comment below and share them with me.

Do you agree with our picks?

What do you think about this list?

Which one is your fav studio ghibli movie?

CHECK OUT MY OTHER BLOG:

Top 15 Best Japanese Anime Movies That You Should Definitely Watch

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Studio Ghibli Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社スタジオジブリ, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Sutajio Jiburi) is a Japanese animation film studio headquartered in Koganei, Tokyo. The studio is best known for its animated feature films and has also produced several short subjects