Studio Ghibli Inc. is a Japanese animation studio headquartered in Koganei, Tokyo. It has also produced several short films, commercials, and two television films, but its animated feature films are best known for them.
Why is Ghibli such a cult favorite?
Ghibli has a unique place in people’s hearts because of its films’ intricate animation, nostalgic look, gorgeous color palettes, and, most importantly, a world that seems unreal come to life. Unfortunately, this is common, especially when talking about childhood movies.
The Logo Of Studio Ghibli
The character of Totoro, who has since become the Studio Ghibli mascot, also brought them their first commercial success.
Although the 1988 movie wasn’t as popular as Miyazaki and Takahata’s first two works, sales of the related merchandise particularly the Totoro soft toys kept them afloat, eased their financial concerns, and allowed them to carry on with their work.
The Philosophy Of Studio Ghibli
Unlike traditional animation studios, Studio Ghibli was founded to examine the innermost workings of the human soul and provide.
Japanese and foreign audiences with poetic tales that could convey its complexity. Only a dedication to the integrity and excellent quality for which its productions are renowned can be considered a global marketing strategy.
Biggest Success Of Studio Ghibli
Kiki’s Delivery Service, which topped the box office charts in 1989, became the studio’s first significant Japanese hit.
In Japan, Porco Rosso, virtually fully created and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, dethroned Hook and Beauty and the Beast three years later.
After that, Spirited Away, the first animated picture in a language other than English to win the Best Animated Film Oscar in 2003, convinced the company to focus on working internationally. It follows Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki’s final movie, before quitting as a director.
Worst to Best Ordered
Films from Studio Ghibli have always been either fiendishly difficult to find or fiendishly expensive to purchase. I’m through.
Thanks to agreements with HBO Max and Netflix, you can see practically all of the studio’s films whenever you want.
We’ve compiled the definitive ranking of all Studio Ghibli movies, from worst to best, to whet your appetite for the visionary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s and others’ creations. You might also like our list of the top Netflix movies.
Earwig and the Witch: Studio Ghibli
The fact that Studio Ghibli films directed by Gor Miyazaki are frequently subpar is a recurring subject on this list. The worst of them is probably Earwig and the Witch.
The plot is uninteresting, yet other bad tales in Ghibli’s discography nonetheless hold our attention because of the exquisite animation.
However, in this case, full-fledged CGI, particularly barren and lifeless CGI, replaces Ghibli’s calm, artistic approach. There are only better or worse movies on this list; there are no further “mistakes.” Earwig was an oversight.
Tales from Earthsea: Studio Ghibli
A strange one based on a book by Ursula le Guin, who preferred his father to direct, and directed by Miyazaki’s son Gor, who Miyazaki didn’t think could run.
The result is a clumsy jumble of dragons and mages. When the movie came out, Le Guin would tell God, “It’s not my book. The film is yours. It is a good movie, but later on, he was much harsher, criticizing the violence in the film.
From Up on Poppy Hill: Studio Ghibli
From Up On, Poppy Hill, directed by Gor Miyazaki, falls short of the caliber of his father’s acclaimed movies.
According to the Hayao screenplay, the plot centers on boarding school students Umi and Shun as they struggle to prevent the demolition of a clubhouse in Yokohama in the early 1960s.
While doing so, the city is also getting ready for the 1964 Summer Olympics in nearby Tokyo and dealing with the effects of the Second World War. A love story with enough charm and nostalgia.
Ocean Waves: Studio Ghibli
You’re out of luck if what you’re looking for is monsters, magic, or surrealism. A dense, moving tale about youth and troubled friendships, Ocean Waves.
There is a lot of carefully gazing off the horizon, stunning animation that nearly seems like still life, and a lot of, well, nothing. But that is the point.
It’s possible to critique this film for being slow and dull, but that’s the goal. This movie is about emotions, ideas, and the drama and subdued melancholy of adolescence.
My Neighbor Totoro
It had to be Totoro the mascot of Studio Ghibli, a global symbol, and a roaring rabbit. The movie centers on two young girls and their father as they relocate to an older home closer to the hospital where the kids’ mother receives treatment for a chronic illness.
The daughters make friends with the forest spirits in the area, such as Totoros of various sizes and a huge cat in the form of a bus.
Enjoy the summertime in the movie and unwind amidst the lush, rolling hills. Watch it on your own, with your daughters, or even with your grandfather. One of the best movies for kids and is about growing up.
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is the ideal illustration of Miyazaki’s talent for making even the grandest stories appear intimate and manageable.
This piece, set in a fictitious 13th-century Japan, depicts the fight between the animal gods who preserve the forest and the humans who want to clear it for iron mining.
The dispute involves Ashitaka, a prince from a small tribe who is doomed. Dishonest individuals and spiteful gods repeatedly thwart his attempts to unite the two sides.
Mononoke is an action-packed, horrifyingly graphic Miyazaki movie. Still, it shines in the murky areas, especially Lady Eboshi, a great feminist and humanitarian whose hubris causes chaos and devastation. The coexistence of people, nature, and technology.
Spirited Away
This movie established Studio Ghibli’s reputation outside of Japan. In the fascinating and enthralling novel Spirited Away, a young girl travels through a portal to a strange land populated by gods, monsters, and magic.
It’s amazing how the hand-drawn animation transforms imaginary realms into a collection of exquisite, amusing artworks.
Like so many others, this Ghibli movie is a tale about the marvels of the natural world and the strange creatures who live there. But it’s also a tale of bravery and belonging, profoundly affecting audiences of all ages.
Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies, one of Studio Ghibli’s most depressing movies, begins on a night in 1945, soon after Japan’s capitulation at the end of World War II.
The animation, in this case, covers the terrifying realism in a sad, pastoral lament. A world gone wrong, lost innocence, agony, suffering, and love are all themes in this film.
It’s also the tale of two kids struggling to survive in a harsh, unforgiving environment. Unfortunately, the grave of the Fireflies won’t be available on Netflix due to licensing issues.
Still, everyone should look for it and set aside two hours for one of the most powerful and moving animations ever made.
Pom Poko
Raccoons also have fulfilling lives! Tanuki does, that is. Pom Poko, a generally family friendly Studio Ghibli film with some spooky scenes, features a pack of these raccoon-dog canines as its heroes.
In Japanese folklore, these dogs are shape-shifters and tricksters. They battle against urbanization in many ways throughout the collection.
They are also environmental protectors who aren’t afraid to take time away from belly drumming and council meetings to use their transformations to influence others in favor of urbanization.
It’s hard to imagine anything more Studio Ghibli than what the tanuki do with one particular part of their anatomy, but hey, it’s all in the source material.
Porco Rosso
The best flying movie ever made by Miyazaki, and a true classic. A mysterious magic transforms Porco Rosso, a hotshot pilot with a pig’s face who appears in the 1930s Italian film.
He faces up against the sky pirate Curtis in the air and pursuit of Gina, a seductive cabaret singer. A pig’s gotta fly is Porco’s motto; watch him soar through the clouds for some simple, classic pleasure.
FAQs
Studio Ghibli is renowned for its artistic talent and the high caliber of its films. Its feature films received praise from critics and the general public and had an impact on other animation studios. Headquarters are located in Tokyo.
After its most recent films struggled to produce a profit at the box office, the team behind some of the most creative animated films of all time, including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle, was forced to make a choice.
Stage productions
Princess Mononoke (2013)
Spirited Away (2022)
My Neighbour Totoro (2022)
Spirited Away’s masterfully conceived universality is the main reason why it has connected with viewers all across the world despite the existence of cultural obstacles. “I developed a heroine who is an everyday girl, someone with whom the viewer can sympathize,” remarked Miyazaki.
The fantasy film “Tales from Earthsea” from 2006 has the lowest rating of any Studio Ghibli production. The story of “Tales from Earthsea,” which is set on the fictional continent of Earthsea, is told in Miyazaki’s son Gor’s directorial debut.
