Studio Ghibli guide
Studio Ghibli Movies in Order: Every Film
Here is every Studio Ghibli movie in release order, from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind to The Boy and the Heron, with directors, years and notes on the films fans argue about. You’ll also find which film to watch first and where to stream them.
By James Henry · Last updated: October 19, 2026
Quick answer · start here
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985. Its first feature was Castle in the Sky (1986), and its latest is The Boy and the Heron (2023), which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Studio Ghibli release order
| # | Film | Year | Director | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind | 1984 | Hayao Miyazaki | Made just before Ghibli was founded; always included |
| 1 | Castle in the Sky | 1986 | Hayao Miyazaki | First official Ghibli film |
| 2 | My Neighbor Totoro | 1988 | Hayao Miyazaki | Totoro became the studio’s logo |
| 3 | Grave of the Fireflies | 1988 | Isao Takahata | Released as a double bill with Totoro |
| 4 | Kiki’s Delivery Service | 1989 | Hayao Miyazaki | |
| 5 | Only Yesterday | 1991 | Isao Takahata | |
| 6 | Porco Rosso | 1992 | Hayao Miyazaki | |
| 7 | Ocean Waves | 1993 | Tomomi Mochizuki | TV film |
| 8 | Pom Poko | 1994 | Isao Takahata | |
| 9 | Whisper of the Heart | 1995 | Yoshifumi Kondō | |
| 10 | Princess Mononoke | 1997 | Hayao Miyazaki | |
| 11 | My Neighbors the Yamadas | 1999 | Isao Takahata | |
| 12 | Spirited Away | 2001 | Hayao Miyazaki | Oscar winner |
| 13 | The Cat Returns | 2002 | Hiroyuki Morita | Spin-off of Whisper of the Heart |
| 14 | Howl’s Moving Castle | 2004 | Hayao Miyazaki | |
| 15 | Tales from Earthsea | 2006 | Gorō Miyazaki | |
| 16 | Ponyo | 2008 | Hayao Miyazaki | |
| 17 | Arrietty | 2010 | Hiromasa Yonebayashi | |
| 18 | From Up on Poppy Hill | 2011 | Gorō Miyazaki | |
| 19 | The Wind Rises | 2013 | Hayao Miyazaki | |
| 20 | The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | 2013 | Isao Takahata | |
| 21 | When Marnie Was There | 2014 | Hiromasa Yonebayashi | |
| 22 | The Red Turtle | 2016 | Michaël Dudok de Wit | Co-production |
| 23 | Earwig and the Witch | 2020 | Gorō Miyazaki | First full-3D Ghibli film |
| 24 | The Boy and the Heron | 2023 | Hayao Miyazaki | Oscar winner; latest film |
Which Studio Ghibli movie should I watch first?
- For most people: Spirited Away, the studio’s best-known film.
- With kids: My Neighbor Totoro or Ponyo (gentle, short, joyful).
- For adventure fans: Castle in the Sky or Princess Mononoke.
- For a quiet, grown-up film: Only Yesterday or When Marnie Was There.
- Be ready for: Grave of the Fireflies, a beautiful but heartbreaking war film. It’s not a family movie night pick.
Still choosing? See our best Studio Ghibli movies ranked or take the Studio Ghibli character quiz.
Studio Ghibli kids movies
The most family-friendly picks are My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service, The Cat Returns and Arrietty. Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle suit older children. Check ratings for Princess Mononoke and Grave of the Fireflies.
Where to watch Studio Ghibli movies
Streaming rights differ by country. In the US, the Ghibli library has streamed on HBO Max since 2020. In many other regions, most films are on Netflix. You can also buy or rent the Blu-ray collection, or catch them in theaters during Studio Ghibli Fest. Check your local services for current availability.
What’s the next Studio Ghibli movie?
Ghibli hasn’t announced its next feature film. In August 2026, the CEO of Toho (Ghibli’s parent company) told Bloomberg that the studio has not decided on one yet. Check ghibli.jp for official news. In the meantime, GKIDS and IMAX are bringing new 4K restorations to IMAX screens, starting with Kiki’s Delivery Service on March 13, 2026.
Explore Studio Ghibli
Latest from Studio Ghibli: read our 21 Spirited Away facts, see every date in our Studio Ghibli events calendar, and plan a visit with our Ghibli Park tickets guide.
Studio Ghibli movies in order by running time
Planning a Studio Ghibli movies marathon? Here are approximate running times for the best-known films:
| Film | Year | Running time |
|---|---|---|
| My Neighbor Totoro | 1988 | about 1 hr 26 min |
| Grave of the Fireflies | 1988 | about 1 hr 29 min |
| Porco Rosso | 1992 | about 1 hr 34 min |
| The Secret World of Arrietty | 2010 | about 1 hr 34 min |
| Ponyo | 2008 | about 1 hr 41 min |
| Kiki’s Delivery Service | 1989 | about 1 hr 43 min |
| Howl’s Moving Castle | 2004 | about 1 hr 59 min |
| Spirited Away | 2001 | about 2 hr 5 min |
| Princess Mononoke | 1997 | about 2 hr 14 min |
| The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | 2013 | about 2 hr 17 min |
A short history of Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata with producer Toshio Suzuki. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) was made just before the studio was founded, but it is usually included in Ghibli collections. Spirited Away won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and The Boy and the Heron won the same award years later.
Studio Ghibli movies in order: marathon plans
- Cozy weekend: My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ponyo.
- Epic adventure: Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaä.
- Miyazaki classics: Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises.
- Takahata collection: Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
Hayao Miyazaki vs Isao Takahata films
Miyazaki’s films are known for flight, fantasy worlds and strong young heroines, while Takahata’s films often focus on realistic everyday life, history and emotional drama. Watching a few of each shows how wide the studio’s style really is.
Why use our Studio Ghibli movies in order guide?
Our Studio Ghibli movies in order guide puts every film in release order, explains where to start and suggests family-friendly picks, with running times to help you plan. Use this list of Studio Ghibli movies in order for your next movie night, then explore our other Ghibli guides.
Frequently asked questions
Fan site. Not affiliated with Studio Ghibli.