Studio Ghibli is a company that needs no introduction. Often referred to as the “Japanese Disney”, a comparison that manages to be both apt and lacking, as few animation companies have managed to reach such a renowned worldwide scale. Founded in 1985, this year not only brings their 35th anniversary but the news that their entire catalogue would be available for streaming on Netflix (alas region dependant). As such now is as good a time as any to discuss some of the history of the company, the people behind it and, for the unfamiliar, rank all their works.

Note: Some films included in this article are technically not Studio Ghibli films, however as key films in the careers of some of the studio’s big names I’ve decided to include them here.

The early life of the animation industry was ruled by Walt Disney, and though the genre is much more varied now, in a way it still is. Disney took the world by storm and as they built their empire other animators across the world saw their chance to get a slice of the pie. Animated films at the time all tried to recreate the aesthetic that Walt had birthed, one of the biggest examples being Toei Animation, a much closer Japanese alternative to Disney. Though currently known for their questionable quality in long running franchises such as One Piece and Dragon Ball, they were a powerhouse of the industry whose gorgeous early films such as Puss in Boots and The Tale of the White Serpent aimed to capture the hearts of their younger audience. In addition to being a driving force behind the anime industry they acted as a starting point for some of anime’s biggest names, including Ghibli founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata.

At the time Miyazaki largely worked as an in-between animator and Takahata as an assistant director, however following the failure of Takahata’s directorial debut “Horus, Prince of the Sun” he was demoted. Unable to improve his standing he eventually jumped ship with a number of other Toei staff members to a new studio “Topcraft”. Despite working on a number of successful titles the studio became bankrupt and was dissolved, before being bought out and re-branded as Studio Ghibli in 1985. Miyazaki took the studio in a new direction, with movies aimed at a wider audience and his own unique touch, obsessed with Europe, nature and planes.

Currently the studio is in a state of crisis, hence their recent deal with Netflix makes sense. Miyazaki has always had a “strong” personality and been notoriously hard to work with, as such the studio has struggled to maintain talented staff and find a talented director to head production. Miyazaki has attempted retirement a number of times but comes back every time, most notably his recent retirement in 2013 which lasted only three years. This is often credited to his disdain towards the direction the company was moving, famously airing his disgust over work being done on AI animation, though I feel like the release of Makoto Shinkai’s “Your Name” (beating a number of his box office records) was an influence on his return. His current film project “How do you live?” is only 15% complete after 3.5 years, due to his difficult nature, documentary footage showing his working on it almost single-handed as he complains staff aren’t good enough and can’t be trusted.

26: Tales From Earthsea

Everyone knows that Tales From Earthsea is the worst Ghibli movie. The directorial debut of Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Goro, and based on an American novel series from the late 60’s, this film will sure leave you saying “wow, that sure was a film I just watched”. This 2006 flick differs vastly from the source material, the tale of a young prince and priestess who must join forces to save the fantastical land of Earthsea from destruction is slowly paced and largely forgettable. Not a bad film by far, more disappointing. At least the dub has Patrick Stewart in it.

25: Ocean Waves

Ocean Waves left no lasting impressions on me when I first saw it. Perhaps I was too young and need to revisit the title but this shorter film about a high school love triangle was somewhat underwhelming. It lacks the distinctive feel of many other Ghibli works, being a film made for TV by a group of younger staff members at the company. It was meant to be a cheap affair to build experience however went both over budget and schedule. The 1993 film, based on a 1990 Japanese novel, was directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, who seemingly did no other work for the studio, with a mixed bag of other works like the great “House of Five Leaves” and the not so great “Battery”.

24: Ponyo

2008’s “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea” received a lot of mention, the second film Miyazaki release after winning an oscar was pushed hard to meet the high standards already set and well… it’s fine. The film received critical acclaim, sold well, won awards and even had a high profile dub with Liam Neeson. The tale follows a goldfish who befriends a 5-year old human boy and wants to become human, sort of a childlike approach to the Little Mermaid. With simplistic themes and a few stunning set pieces the film is fun and entertaining, however I personally found it to be a bit too much of a kids film, struggling to find the right balance between relatable and fantastical.

23: The Red Turtle

This 2016 film was a co-production with German studio Wild Bunch and by Danish director Michaël Dudok de Wit, as such often being overlooked and seen as less of a Ghibli work. A unique dialogue free film, with an art style more commonly seen in Western European productions, it presents a fascinating tale of a shipwrecked man whose attempt to leave a deserted island are thwarted by a giant red turtle. With a number of strange plot points the film is easy to follow but not as clean cut thematically, leaving the viewer something to think about. It is easy to see why “The Red Turtle” received such a positive critical response but I wouldn’t say it’s as catching or enjoyable as a number of other entries on this list.

22: On Your Mark

Likely the most unheard of entry here, “On Your Mark” was not a movie but actually a music video for a song of the same name by Japanese rock duo Chage & Aska. Normally something so short wouldn’t be worth noting, but this 1995 video by Miyazaki himself is a spectacle well worth seeing. This was shown before the theatrical release of “Whisper of the Heart”, about two policemen rescuing a girl with angel wings from a cult. I’m a sucker for the futuristic settings seen in the 80’s and 90’s so adore this. It’s just a shame that this is not readily available.

21: Arrietty

2010 film “The Secret World of Arrietty” was based on the English children’s book “The Borrowers”, about tiny people who borrow things from humans to survive, while trying to love secretly in the walls or floors of households. It was the directorial debut of Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who went on to leave the company with a number of other staff members to form Studio Ponoc, since making “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” as well as “Modest Heroes”, which both carry the Ghibli charm. Arrietty is a charming coming of age film about a tiny strong female, but doesn’t leave much of an impression. The dub was also the cinematic debut of Tom Holland, known more now for his role as Spiderman in the Marvel movies.

20: The Wind Rises

2013’s “The Wind Rises” was meant to be the final film by Hayao Miyazaki and as such carried with it a lot of weight. Based loosely on the 1937 novel “The Wind has Risen”, it depicts the life of Jiro Horikoshi, who designed key aircraft used by Japan in World War II, such as the infamous Zero. Being release to success and acclaim, the film is less of a biopic and more of a projection of Miyazaki’s views of his own life, the innocence of pre-war Japan being scewed by militarism. It’s no secret that Miyzaki loves planes, so comparing himself to an engineer sacrificing his own relationship for his craft despite how the result may be used by his country is quite fitting. The film struck me as a little self gratifying however, in addition to being something that’s difficult to connect to emotionally.

19: Pom Poko

Never has Ghibli’s favourite message of “respect nature!!!” been more evident than in the 1994 “Pom Poko” by Isao Takahata. This folklore inspired film tells the tale of shape shifting tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs) fighting back against construction companies that are threatening their home, a mixture of light-hearted high-jinks, centring around their impressively animated transformations, and a solemn outlook on the effect humankind has had in the 20th century. I found the 2 hour length time overstayed its welcome and the film struggles to know who its target audience is. Still great and a lot of fun, but when it comes to shape shifting tanuki trying to live alongside humans I would much sooner recommend P.A. Works 2013 series “The Eccentric Family”.

18: From Up on Poppy Hill

After his directorial debut received mixed reviews, Goro Miyazaki’s second film, 2011’s “From Up on Poppy Hill”, feels like a fresh direction for the company met with far more positive reviews. Rather than attempting to replicate the fantasy aspect of his father’s more successful films, this adaption of a 1980’s shoujo manga (aimed at young women) offers a more grounded romantic story set in 1963 Yokohama. Umi and Shun meet as they both try to save the haphazardly designed school clubhouse from being demolished, Shun taking interest in the girl he sees raising flags on a hillside every morning in memory of her deceased father. The period setting brings this film to life, offering a sense of gentle nostalgia, which makes up for its somewhat predictable story tread.

17: The Cat Returns

Actually a spiritual successor to 1995’s “Whisper of the Heart” (though only loosely connected), 2002’s “The Cat Returns” is a fun adventure film that differs in tone much more than any other Ghibli films while withholding a sense of fantastical wonder. Director Hiroyuki Morita has worked as an animator on a number of high profile anime features but has few directorial credits to his name, most notably for me being a personal favourite “Bokurano”. Morita brings a more realistic worldview with protagonist Haru’s high school life, which only highlights the fantastical change when she’s kidnapped into the cat kingdom after she saves the cat prince. Originally called “The Cat Project”, it was meant to be a 20 minute short at the request of a Japanese film park, however when this was cancelled the existing work was taken and re-purposed into this feature. A film for all the cat lovers out there, and who doesn’t love cats?

16: When Marnie Was There

The second and last film “Arrietty” director Hiromasa Yonebayashi produced for the studio, 2014’s “When Marnie Was There” is also the final film the studio has produced having taken a hiatus before Miyazaki’s return from retirement. Based on a 1967 novel of the same name, it follows Anna staying with relatives in a rural Northern Japanese seaside village, where she comes across an abandoned mansion. There she meets Marnie, a young blonde girl, and develops a secret friendship, however things are not as they seem. Carrying a sense of mystery, this film explores a touching story of two young girls, tackling serious themes with a great sense of narrative that makes it shine despite not being as impressive as other Ghibli features.

15: Kiki’s Delivery Service

1989’s “Kiki’s Delivery Service” is a through and through coming of age story, though in no way standard. A more grounded fantasy world, it follows a young teenage witch looking for independence, following a rite of adulthood in which she must set out to a new town and learn the ways of the world. A beautiful European ocean town setting and a relateable protagonist help sell the feel of this film, as she starts a delivery business based around flying. This film is less about the narrative events and more an exploration of themes of adulthood, self doubt, vulnerability and tradition, as despite having a loving family she still undergoes common struggles. Also the Concerned Women for America called a boycott of Disney for releasing the film, so it’s worth watching just for that.

14: Only Yesterday

When I first saw 1991’s “Only Yesterday” as a 13 year old boy I just thought it was kind of boring and didn’t give it a second thought. Returning to it in adulthood I came away from it thinking “that was a happy ending” to look over at my partner crying over how sad it was, I still didn’t get it but at least I can appreciate it. Isao Takahata’s feature, based on a 1982 manga, is an adult drama aimed at women, something rare for films in general, let alone Japanese animation. Hugely popular at the time, it follows a single office worker in her late 20’s as she holidays to escape from the city life to experience that of a rural farmer. Over the course of the film she thinks back to her childhood and reflects on the incidents that led to her current self, on whether she made the right choices and lived according to her childhood dreams. Fun fact, the scenes in which she is an adult where animated to match the pre-recorded dialogue (which is usually uncommon), and as such have more noticeable facial muscles and expressions. Arguably the most unique picture from Ghibli’s catalogue.

13: My Neighbours the Yamadas

Studio Ghibli’s features are well known for their awe inspiring set pieces and animation, in contrast to this 1999’s “My Neighbours the Yamadas” by Isao Takahata adopts a minimalist comic strip style. This fits its aesthetic perfectly, a series of comedic vignettes surrounding the theme of family, with the parents, two children, grandmother and their dog getting caught up in mischief. This creates a believable family picture, from the self proclaimed wise grandmother to the questioning independent young daughter. Concentrating on their relationships, this is a sweet film… even if I don’t agree with the idea that “having children as soon as possible will keep relationships healthy”. This one is one of the studio’s most unknown features, as it was not a success at the box office.

12: Whisper of the Heart

This 1995 feature, based on a 1989 manga, is the first film by the studio to not be directed by Miyazaki or Takahata. Director Yoshifumi Kondo was set to become their successor, however tragically died three years after the film’s release. This hugely successful romantic coming of age drama follows the young Shizuku, who aims at becoming a fantasy writer, and Seiji, who trains to become master violin maker. After being drawn to the antique shop where he works, Shizuku’s annoyance with Seiji turns into a budding friendship as they both follow their life goals.

11: Horus, Prince of the Sun

Though technically not a Studio Ghibli film, this 1968 masterpiece and directorial debut by Isao Takahata is more than worthy of mention. The first major film Miyazaki worked on, it was the start of a partnership from the pair which without I wouldn’t be writing this. Today the film is seen as a turning point in the history of animation for its technical merits but was unsuccessful in the time, leading to Takahata being demoted and struggling in the business until his partnership with Miyazaki. Set in Norway, it stars a young boy attempting to reclaim his homeland from a terrifying ice devil. It is intended for an adult audience, with a socialist message alongside violent and psychological themes. It is based on Ainu folklore, the people indigenous to Northern Japan, however to avoid racial controversy the setting was altered. The film took almost 3 years to make when at the time the standard was 8-10 months. Despite it’s initial failure it is now considered one of the greatest animated movies.

10: My Neighbour Totoro

Perhaps the most recognisable title, due to the masses of merchandise seen worldwide, alongside the titular Totoro being the company mascot. This 1988 feature went from a cult following to a cultural icon, probably most comparable to something such as Winnie the Pooh, the film set Miyazaki on the road to success. It follows two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father in 1958. The carefree nature of the film, switching to a more serious tone with their mother’s state of illness, captures the heart easily, with memorable set pieces that many others would struggle to create in such a conflict free picture.

9: Howl’s Moving Castle

How did Miyazaki follow up his oscar win? With a film filled with stunning set pieces and memorable animation. 2004’s “Howl’s Moving Castle”, based on a 1986 novel of the same name, is set in a fictitious early 20th century European city. With magic, steampunk technology and war between kingdoms as a backdrop, the heart of the story follows Sophie, who is cursed by a witch and transformed into an old woman. She seeks out the magician Howl to aid her, only to end up working as his caretaker in his mechanical house, while he attempts to escape involvement in war. Not only is the film heavily critical of the Iraq war, with anti-war films at the core of its plot, it also struck a cord with many female viewers due to its feminist elements and the freedom granted to Sophie that comes with her age. It’s emotionally charged themes make up for any plot shortcomings, as this encompasses many of the themes explored throughout the Ghibli library of works. Also once I saw an old woman enter a cosplay competition dressed as Sophie and it was the most adorable thing.

8: Porco Rosso

Miyazaki’s 1992 comedy drama shows his true colours as someone obsessed with planes. Long stretching shots of classic aircraft flying over islands make for beautiful animation, showing the care that went into this film with a real world setting. An Italian World War I ace pilot is cursed, turning into a pig, and decides to spend his life as a bounty hunter. The film is heavily anti-fascist, with Porco Rosso on the run from the Italian secret police, while also being heavily feminist, the female characters being reliable and intelligent in comparison to the more foolhardy and comedic men. It was originally planned to be a short film for an airline, but grew into a feature length film acting as a homage to both aviation and early Hollywood.

7: The Castle of Cagliostro

Once again we have another film that isn’t technically a Studio Ghibli picture, however was Miyazaki’s directorial debut. This 1979 action-adventure comedy is part of the Lupin the 3rd franchise, which continues to have anime adaptions today since its 1969 pilot, though lesser known in the West it details the adventures of a group of master thieves and is well deserving of it’s continued life as a franchise. This film sees the titular Lupin trying to find the source of legendary counterfeit money, only to get caught up in the political struggle of a fictitious European country as he vows to steal away a young princess being forced into marriage. Gorgeous animation, hilarious moments and enthralling action sequences will keep you hooked, there’s never a dull moment in this great entry to an excellent franchise.

6: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

This 2013 feature was Isao Takahata’s final film before his death, however this oscar nominated picture became a modern classic. Based on “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” Takahata wanted to make a version of the story in which the protagonist can be sympathised with. Being the most expensive Japanese movie to date, it is about a bamboo cutter who discovers a tiny girl inside a bamboo shoot. He raises her as his own daughter but eventually commits to making her a princess worthy of her divine heritage, against her will of wanting to live a simple mortal life. Originally he wanted to make the film back in 1960, however his demotion at Toei Animation led to this becoming a dream. He really manages to capture the feel of a classic Japanese tale and a sprawling epic, with beautiful watercolour style sketches packing emotional depth and carrying a dream like feel.

5: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

This 1984 feature is often referred to as the first Ghibli film, however was directed by Miyazaki under studio Topcraft which was to become Studio Ghibli. It was the first of Miyazaki’s films which Joe Hisashi worked on, the legendary composer renowned for his close ties to the company. A post-apocalyptic epic set 1000 years after the world was ruined by war, the protagonist is a princess who explores a poisonous jungle created in the wake of the war to try and find a way for humans to coexist with its mutant creatures. Crisis strikes when a rival kingdom invades, planning on using a deadly weapon to destroy jungle. Inspired by the adaption of nature, Miyazaki decided to build a polluted world to explore themes of environmentalism and anti-war, resulting in a film that would leave a major impact on the medium.

4: Spirited Away

The most well known Studio Ghibli film, 2001’s “Spirited Away”, made history by being the only foreign animated film to win an Academy Award, with many others struggling to even get nominations. It could be said to have caused Japanese animation to become more popular in Western markets and was the most successful film in Japanese history. It follows 10 year old girl Chihiro, who after getting lost moving house with her family, finds herself in the spirit world where she must get a job at a bathhouse to survive and free her parents. The film manages to appeal to all ages, with a serious tone and colourful imagery, with a distinctly Japanese feel from the exquisite bathhouse to the range of creatures from folklore. The film is heavily influence by traditional Japanese folklore and buddhism, mixed with more presenting themes including being forced into coming of age through capitalism, Western capitalist influences, modern Japan and greed. Its fantastical themes are comparable to that of “Alice in Wonderland”.

3: Laputa, Castle in the Sky

Probably my most controversial choice is holding this film so highly on my list, but this 1986 steampunk adventure feels somewhat overlooked when compared to their other titles. The studio’s first film follows a young mine worker who finds a girl floating down from the sky. They go on the run from the government and sky pirates, with the key to finding the legendary floating sky castle Laputa. Going on to heavily influence Japanese pop culture as a whole, the sense of scale and adventure in this one are great. The film is filled with medieval and gothic architecture, however the mining town setting is based on Wales, after Miyazaki visited during the mining strikes of the 80’s, admiring the miner’s way of life which has since vanished. Memorable character and beautiful animation make this film hard to forget.

2: Grave of the Fireflies

Prepare to cry when watching 1988’s “Grave of the Fireflies”, based on a 1967 semi-autobiographical story of the same name. Set in Kobe city during World War II, it tells the tale of two siblings struggling to survive during the harsh living conditions and dangers the war brings to innocent civilians. Sad Japanese WWII films are something I can’t get enough of, heart wrenching and impactful tales often based on real world experience, they approach war themes in a way western cinema struggles to. Coming from a side where their everyday life was changed forever due to their loss, there is no pride or glorification, only guilt, horror and hardships. The visual impact of war is something live action films struggle to attain but comes much easier in animation, beautiful yet haunting set pieces and framing is plentiful here. Director Takahata has claimed that this is not an anti-war film, instead being a Japanese societal commentary, as this film focuses far less on the impacts of war compared to others such as “Barefoot Gen” or “In This Corner of the World”. Fun fact, as Takahata worked on this at the same time Miyazaki worked on “My Neighbour Totoro” they were shown together as a double-bill. Most theatres opted to show this first so patrons would leave the establishment slightly more upbeat.

1: Princess Mononoke

“Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still, you find reasons to keep living”. This 1997 feature is a period peace, following a young prince who becomes cursed and sets out into the world for a cure. He gets involved in the struggle between the gods of the forest and the humans who consume their resources. More specifically he becomes involved with San, a woman raised by wolves with a hatred for humans, and lady Eboshi, the head of a mining village who would kill gods for profit. Key themes include environmentalism, disability and individualism, the film has excellent characterisation with strong female characters without ever having a character as an evil villain. All characters attempt to justify their actions, be it out of greed or anger, the conflicts at its centre are meant to be morally ambiguous. On top of its amazing animation, great pacing and wonderful soundtrack, “Princess Mononoke” is a complex enthralling masterpiece that is easily my favourite.