The people over at ranking.net held a poll recently of the best Ghibli Films. The voters were users of the website, and they voted for the Top 10 Best Ghibli Films of all time. If you were looking for Ghibli Studio films recommendations for the family or if you just want to feel nostalgic, here is a great list.
There are a lot of movies by Ghibli and obviously not every single one will make the list. Some personal honorable mentions: Grave of the Fireflies (1988), The Boy and the Heron, and Ocean Waves (my personal favourite Ghibli movie).
The List of Best Ghibli Films Voted By Users of ranking.net
10. The Cat’s Return
Directed by Hiroyuki Morita
Haru, a schoolgirl bored by her ordinary routine, saves the life of an unusual cat, and suddenly her world is transformed beyond anything she ever imagined. To change her fate, she’ll need to learn to believe in herself and, in the process, she will learn to appreciate her everyday life.
9. Whisper of the Heart*
Directed by Yoshifumi Kondō
Based on the manga with the same title, this animated film follows Shizuku, an inquisitive young girl and a voracious reader, who longs to be a writer when she grows up. One day she notices that all of her library books have previously been taken out by one Seiji Amasawa. Amid chasing after a large cat, befriending an eccentric antiques dealer and writing her first novel, Shizuku aims to find this mysterious boy who may well be her soul mate. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Whisper of the Heart is my second favourite on this list. It’s a great coming of age / kind of romance film.
8. Porco Rosso
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
When “Porco” — whose face has been transformed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell — infuriates a band of sky pirates with his aerial heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a rival pilot, to “get rid” of him. On the ground, the two pilots compete for the affections of the beautiful Gina. But it is in the air where the true battles are waged. (Crunchyroll)
7. Howl’s Moving Castle
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
The story follows Sophie, a shy hat-maker living in a fictional magical kingdom who is cursed by a witch into looking like an [older] woman. Leaving her home in search of a cure, Sophie encounters Howl, a powerful magician, and becomes the housekeeper for his magical ambulatory castle. (Screenrant)
6. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Far in the future, after an apocalyptic conflict has devastated much of the world’s ecosystem, the few surviving humans live in scattered semi-hospitable environments within what has become a “toxic jungle.” Young Nausicaä lives in the arid Valley of the Wind and can communicate with the massive insects that populate the dangerous jungle. Under the guidance of the pensive veteran warrior, Lord Yupa, Nausicaä works to bring peace back to the ravaged planet. (Rotten Tomatoes)
5. My Neighbor Totoro
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
He’s your friendly neighbourhood forest spirit!
Two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest. When the youngest runs away from home, the older sister seeks help from the spirits to find her. (Letterboxd)
4. Princess Mononoke
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Ashitaka, a prince of the disappearing Emishi people, is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. Along the way, he encounters San, a young human woman fighting to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, who is trying to destroy it. Ashitaka must find a way to bring balance to this conflict. (Letterboxd)
3. Kiki’s Delivery Service*
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Kiki is an enterprising young girl who must follow tradition to become a full-fledged witch. Venturing out with only her black cat, Jiji, Kiki flies off for the adventure of a lifetime. Landing in a far-off city, she sets up a high-flying delivery service and begins a wonderful experience of independence and responsibility as she finds her place in the world. (Crunchyroll)
Kiki’s Delivery Service is probably my personal favourite on this list. It might be because of nostalgia if anything. I remember the first time I watched it, a substitute teacher put it on the box TV during I.T. class in elementary school.
2. Laputa: Castle in the Sky
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Young orphan Sheeta and her kidnapper, Col. Muska, are flying to a military prison when their plane is attacked by a gang of air pirates led by the matronly Dola. Escaping from a mid-air collision via a magic crystal around her neck, Sheeta meets fellow orphan Pazu and the pair join forces to discover the mystical floating city of Laputa while pursued by both Muska and the pirates, who lust for the city’s myriad treasures. (Rotten Tomatoes)
1. Spirited Away
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
10-year-old Chihiro moves with her parents to a new home in the Japanese countryside. After taking a wrong turn down a wooded path, Chihiro and her parents discover an amusement park with a stall containing an assortment of food. To her surprise, Chihiro’s parents begin eating and then transform into pigs. In this supernatural realm, Chihiro encounters a host of characters and endures labor in a bathhouse for spirits, awaiting a reunion with her parents. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Do You Agree With This List?
We’ve actually compiled a list of the best Ghibli films by Director Hayao Miyazaki; you can check it here! As mentioned, my favourite Ghibli film didn’t even make this list, so it’s hard for me to agree with this list subjectively. However, objectively this is likely the top 10 best Ghibli films.
