Studio Ghibli guide
Best Studio Ghibli Movies, Ranked
Every Studio Ghibli film has fans who call it the best. This is our ranking of the Studio Ghibli movies, from the masterpieces everyone knows to the hidden gems worth finding, with a line on who each film is perfect for.
By James Henry · Last updated: October 19, 2026 · Ranking: GujoAnimes editors
The ranking
| Rank | Film | Year | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spirited Away | 2001 | Everyone; the best place to start |
| 2 | Princess Mononoke | 1997 | Epic fantasy fans |
| 3 | My Neighbor Totoro | 1988 | Families and comfort viewing |
| 4 | Howl’s Moving Castle | 2004 | Romance and magic |
| 5 | Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind | 1984 | Sci-fi and nature lovers |
| 6 | Kiki’s Delivery Service | 1989 | Anyone starting something new |
| 7 | The Boy and the Heron | 2023 | Viewers who like dreamlike, personal films |
| 8 | Grave of the Fireflies | 1988 | A powerful but heartbreaking watch |
| 9 | Castle in the Sky | 1986 | Adventure fans |
| 10 | The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | 2013 | Art lovers |
| 11 | Porco Rosso | 1992 | Fans of planes and old-school adventure |
| 12 | Whisper of the Heart | 1995 | Teens and dreamers |
| 13 | The Wind Rises | 2013 | Adults; a quieter, historical drama |
| 14 | Ponyo | 2008 | Young kids |
| 15 | Only Yesterday | 1991 | Adults looking back on childhood |
| 16 | When Marnie Was There | 2014 | Fans of gentle mysteries |
| 17 | Arrietty | 2010 | Families |
| 18 | Pom Poko | 1994 | Folklore fans |
| 19 | From Up on Poppy Hill | 2011 | Fans of 1960s nostalgia |
| 20 | The Cat Returns | 2002 | Kids and cat lovers |
| 21 | My Neighbors the Yamadas | 1999 | Comic-strip humour |
| 22 | Ocean Waves | 1993 | Completionists |
| 23 | Tales from Earthsea | 2006 | Fantasy completionists |
| 24 | Earwig and the Witch | 2020 | Curious fans (Ghibli’s 3D experiment) |
The Red Turtle (2016), a co-production, is a wordless film that’s well worth a watch but sits outside the main ranking.
Why Spirited Away is number one
Spirited Away is Ghibli’s most famous film and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It brings together everything the studio does best: an unforgettable world, a brave heroine, strange and lovable spirits, and a story about growing up. It’s also the easiest first Ghibli film for most people.
Hidden gems
If you’ve seen the big ones, try Only Yesterday, Whisper of the Heart, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There. They’re quieter, but many fans rank them among the studio’s best.
Studio Ghibli romance movies
- Howl’s Moving Castle: magic and romance
- Whisper of the Heart: first love and big dreams
- From Up on Poppy Hill: a gentle 1960s romance
- The Wind Rises: a grown-up love story
- Ocean Waves: a short teen drama
See every film in release order in our Studio Ghibli movies in order guide.
Best Studio Ghibli movies by mood
Not sure which film to pick tonight? Choose from the best Studio Ghibli movies by mood:
| Mood | Film | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Magical | Spirited Away | a fantasy world full of spirits |
| Cozy | My Neighbor Totoro | gentle, warm and short |
| Epic | Princess Mononoke | battles between humans and nature |
| Romantic | Howl’s Moving Castle | magic, war and love |
| Emotional | Grave of the Fireflies | powerful, but very sad |
| Inspiring | Kiki’s Delivery Service | finding confidence and independence |
| Adventurous | Castle in the Sky | flying machines and lost cities |
How we ranked the best Studio Ghibli movies
- Story: how well the film holds together from start to end.
- Characters: how memorable and believable they are.
- Animation and music: visuals, backgrounds and soundtrack.
- Rewatch value: how well the film works on a second or third viewing.
- Fan and critic reception: awards, reviews and long-term popularity.
Best Studio Ghibli movies for beginners
If you are new to Ghibli, start with Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki’s Delivery Service. They are easy to follow, suitable for most ages and show the studio’s style at its best.
Why trust our best Studio Ghibli movies list?
Our list of the best Studio Ghibli movies combines story, characters, animation, music and rewatch value into one clear ranking. Use it to plan a movie night, introduce friends to Ghibli, or find a hidden gem among the best Studio Ghibli movies you have not seen yet.
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