So, earlier this month, I decided to watch all the twenty-two Studio Ghibli movies that are available on Netflix and I have never been more enchanted by Japanese animation in my entire life. One thing I like about Ghibli movies is that they focus on instilling the values of love and compassing instead of urging people to have wars.
Studio Ghibli movies are as human-friendly as they could be. The director of Studio Ghibli Inc, Hayao Miyazaki, has indeed done an amazing job in making films that are so unique that they transport you to a world of fantasy.
Here’s my list of the top 10 Studio Ghibli Movies that are a must-watch. (Don’t miss them, seriously)!
1. Howl’s Moving Castle
“They say that the best blaze burns brightest, when circumstances are at their worst.”
– Howl’s Moving Castle, 2004
A young milliner, Sophie, magically turns into an old woman and goes out in search of an antidote to reverse the effects of the magic. The movie, Howl’s Moving Castle, is an eccentric story of love and mystic powers that is sure to keep you hooked till the end.
2. Castle in The Sky
“No matter how many weapons you have, no matter how great your technology might be, the world cannot live without love.”
– Castle in The Sky, 1986
A boy encounters a girl that falls from the sky and decides to embark on an adventurous journey to save her from the ghastly Pirates.
The movie, whilst being magical, reminds us that you can be the most powerful person in the world but you would still have nothing if you don’t have love and compassion. It’s love that one should possess and should live for.
3. Spirited Away
“Once you’ve met someone you never really forget them.”
– Spirited Away, 2001
A ten-year-old girl named Chihiro is moving into her new house but her family takes a wrong turn and discovers an oddly haunting abandoned place. Despite Chihiro’s hesitations, her parents do not think twice before eating the food at the abandoned place and transform into pigs.
Spirited Away is one of the classic Hayao Miyazaki movies that take will you out on a ride that’s filled with adventure, excitement, and lots of fantasy.
That being said, Spirited Away is a total must-watch for everyone!
P.S. You’ll love the character of No-Face!
4. My Neighbour Totoro
“Everybody, try laughing. Then whatever scares you will go away!”
– My Neighbour Totoro, 1988
Two sisters move into an old country house only to find a different world that is hidden behind the trees. These newfound friends become a delight to the sisters as they help them overcome the obstacles in reaching their recuperating mother.
5. Whisper of The Heart
“You see that rough surrounding stone? You can polish it all you want, but it’ll still be worthless. But there might be something much more valuable inside that you can’t yet see.”
– Whisper of The Heart
The boy wants to become a skilled violin maker, and the girl wants to become a writer when she grows up. “Whisper of the Heart” is a beautiful story of two young lovers who stick together despite having different goals in life.
P.S. You’ll also come across a cat named Baron who is also seen in the movie, “The Cat Returns.”
6. Kiki’s Delivery Service
“We each need to find our own inspiration. Sometimes, it’s not easy.”
– Kiki’s Delivery Service, 1918
Kiki is a young witch who goes out to another town to find her own identity and ends up starting her own delivery service. This feel-good movie has a prime focus on the theme of believing in yourself even when you are different from others.
7. Ponyo
“You Should Never Judge Others By Their Looks.”- 2008
– Ponyo, 2008
Ponyo is a beautiful story of a fish that turns into a human and falls in love with a little boy. This movie, although not much intense than other Ghibli movies, is sure to make you feel several emotions.
8. The Cat Returns
“Always believe in yourself. Do this and no matter where you are, you will have nothing to fear.”
– The Cat Returns, 2002
A girl saves a cat from hitting the truck that turns out to be a Prince of all the cats. The story is amusingly entertaining to watch as the girl battles to free herself from the clutches of the cat kingdom and save herself from becoming a cat so as to marry the Cat Prince.
9. Arrietty
“Sometimes you have to fight for the things that are worth fighting for.”
– Arrietty, 2010
Arrietty is a tiny human whose family lives under the floorboard and makes a living by secretly borrowing from humans. The story is a great lesson for becoming more a kind and compassionate human being.
10. When Marnie Was There
“The same energy that makes up all the beauty in this world can also be found within you. You are not empty.”
– When Marnie Was There, 2014
Well, if you don’t like movies that invoke a lot of weird feelings inside you, this might not be a great choice for you. The movie, an adaptation of a ghost novel, is a little dark and mystifying but would be a good watch if you know how to process those uncanny feelings that you’ll get after finishing it.
__
Hope these movie recommendations were helpful to you!
Which Studio Ghibli Movies do YOU ENJOY watching the most? Don’t forget to drop the names in the comment section below!
Till then,
3 thoughts on “10 Studio Ghibli Movies That Are a Must-Watch!”
Very efficiently written story. It will be useful to anybody who utilizes it, including yours truly :). Keep doing what you are doing – for sure i will check out more posts.
Thank you for another informative website. Where else could I get that type of info written in such a perfect way? I have a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such info.
Great post, I conceive people should larn a lot from this web site its really user pleasant.