The acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki has become synonymous with Studio Ghibli , as the illustrious invigoration studio ’s conscientious objector - founder is behind some of its most incredible pic . Miyazaki has been creditworthy for some of Ghibli ’s great hits since 1979 , with his most recent moving-picture show , The Boy and the Heron , released just last year .
Miyazaki ’s skillful movies feature aspects fans have come to expect from Studio Ghibli , including arresting animation , compelling characters , and a move narrative with a thoughtful message at its core . From get along - of - age classics likeKiki ’s Delivery Serviceto internationally celebrate masterpiece likeSpirited Away , Miyazaki ’s top movie should be see all-important viewing for any Ghibli sports fan . Below , we ’ve compile a list of his 10 best film .
10. The Wind Rises (2013)
A Ghibli film that does n’t boast a phantasy human race , The Wind Risesis a biographical movie about Jiro Horikoshi , an aircraft fashion designer behind the Mitsubishi A5 M Zero fighter plane and its heir , the Mitsubishi A6 M Zero , which were used during World War II . The cinema tell Jiro ’s journeying to becoming an aeronautical engineer , picture his childhood , kinsfolk , and a tender love story focused on him and the womanhood he diminish for , Nahoko Satomi .
Though the 2013 Ghibli film incorporate the director ’s famous trademarks , including the stunning visuals and heartfelt narration , it was wide criticized for going against Miyazaki ’s know anti - war stance by glorifying an aircraft interior designer ’s life . However , its poignant ending , which shows Jiro ’s sadness after seeing what his planer are being used for , could be interpreted as a call for peace . This wide argue scene has madeThe Wind Risesone of Studio Ghibli ’s more dissentious cinema .
9. Ponyo (2008)
Ponyois pore on the tale of the titular goldfish princess , who get off from her life beneath the ocean and meets a five - twelvemonth - old male child , Sōsuke . The two form an improbable Julian Bond , which only fuels Ponyo ’s desire to somehow become human and receive things the way Sōsuke is able to instead of being bound to a deoxyephedrine jar . This longing grows to the point where she goes to great lengths to take in her freedom , endangering Sōsuke and his village in the mental process .
amply embracing warmth and simple mindedness , Ponyotells a familiar and aboveboard report with a ton of nitty-gritty . It showcases the transformative office of friendly relationship through the perspective of two young characters . While its animation pales in compare toStudio Ghibli ’s more acclaimed films , it ’s still deserving watching for sports fan looking for a fantasy flick with a blithe narrative .
8. Castle in the Sky (1986)
Castle in the Skyis noted for being Miyazaki ’s first film to be animated by Studio Ghibli . The picture follows the vernal orphan Pazu and Sheeta , who go on a thrilling risky venture to uncover a mysterious floating island ’s mysteries . In the process , they ’re quest for by both governing agents and aviation pirates who are after a lechatelierite necklace that Sheeta owns . The duo must evade them while pursuing the pilot palace call Laputa .
Though this is one of Miyazaki ’s former works , the director ’s trademarks were already obvious inCastle in the Skyfor those who have a go at it what they ’re count for . The fantasy world ’s portrayal of the harmony between modern technology and nature is a concept that is flesh out in Miyazaki ’s later films . Castle in the Sky‘s visuals were also quite unpolished compared to the director ’s more popular work , but it ’s still a must - catch for fans who are interested in the evolution of Miyazaki ’s flair .
7. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Miyazaki ’s in style and potentially last cinema , The Boy on the Heron , is more matured and understated than his previous work . It ’s centered on a 12 - year - old boy , Mahito , who grapple with the many change in his life following his mother ’s sudden death . As Mahito struggles to conform to motivate to a new Ithiel Town , he soon meet a talking heron who claim that his mother is still alive . To prove this , the admirer enters another , more dangerous world .
The Boy and the Heronunsurprisingly became one of thebest revivify picture show of 2023 , though it has yet to — and may never – reach the status of Miyazaki ’s more famous movies . The film is Miyazaki ’s most personal work , mirroring his own life while depicting a come - of - age report that explores grief in a meditative way . It is n’t for everyone , but those who can relate to Mahito ’s experience may considerThe son and the Herontheir favorite Miyazaki movie .
6. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki ’s Delivery Servicetells a charming narrative about the vernal witch Kiki , who , as tradition dictate , correct out at the age of 13 to find a new town where she can hone her accomplishment . Accompanied by her talking cat , Jiji , Kiki plant a deliverance inspection and repair , but presently begins to doubt her ability . When she loses her magical skills , she must work on herself to whelm her hardships .
Miyazaki weaves a simple , yet muscular coming - of - age story through Kiki ’s experiences . Instead of relying on a traditional opposer , Kiki ’s enemy are her own self - doubt and insecurities , and the flick center on the way she changes and advance confidence in her unexampled environment . It may not be as worked up as the manager ’s other kit and boodle , but its straightforward narrative makes for an inspiring and delicious plastic film that can be revisited over and over again .
5. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
ready in a postapocalyptic world where a “ toxic jungle ” jeopardise what stay of human civilization , Nausicaä of the Valley of the Windfollows the nominal character , a princess who has a deep connective with nature . Unlike most multitude in the film , Nausicaä wants to infer how they can coexist with the creatures and plant of the toxic jungle . Any hope of this is dashed by an go forth struggle against the kingdom of Tolmekia , which attempt to eradicate the arena and hurt Nausicaä ’s people in the process .
Miyazaki ’s natural endowment for worldbuilding is easy to see inthe incredible dystopian movie , which fight the limitation of animated movies at that sentence to draw a stark interlingual rendition of a post - nuclear world . Its visuals may be slightly dated now , butNausicaä‘s unsounded message about humanity ’s repetitious flaws and what they do to hold up thing on the planet is just as relevant as ever .
4. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Set in a disorderly world where magic and engineering coexist , Howl ’s Moving Castletakes blank space in a fictional land that discover itself at war with another kingdom . Here , the seemingly ordinary Sophie is transformed into an older reading of herself by a jealous beldam ’s swearword . As she search for a cure , she meets a wizard named Howl and is presently entangled in his own messy story and strong stance against fighting for the kingdom .
Howl ’s proceed Castleis one of Miyazaki ’s most mystical and vivid movies , with the nominal living structure being a memorable character itself . It ’s well remembered for being a strong reflection of the director ’s anti - war ideals , as it was notably made during the midriff of the Iraq War . The film read the futility of conflict and highlights the importance of humanity , compassion , and fuck instead , localise it among Miyazaki ’s most important works .
3. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
My Neighbor Totorois adefining gum anime moving-picture show of the 1990sthat has gone on to become a beloved favourite of Studio Ghibli fans around the world . Set in postwar rural Japan , the moving picture comply two sisters , Satsuke and Mei , as they move to the countryside with their Fatherhood to be closer to their sick mother . As they explore the surrounding woods , they chance playful spirits like the iconic Totoro , an adorable , monolithic creature who becomes their best friend .
Miyazaki ’s mastery of capturing simple wonder is on full display inMy Neighbor Totoro . Satsuke and Mei ’s fun and impulsive adventure through the woods spread out at a easy pace . Their charming human relationship with Totoro is symbolic , subtly encouraging viewers to respect their own link with the instinctive humankind . It ’s never heavy - handed in this environmental message , though , choosing to emphasise its protagonists ’ delightful experiences instead .
2. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Set in a mythical version of Japan in the fourteenth century , Princess Mononokefollows Prince Ashitaka , who becomes tangle in a difference between industrialization and the spirit of the forest . Alongside the nominal part , also call San , who is a human raised by wolves , Ashitaka undertake to ease peace between Iron Town and the creature and spirits of the woodland .
Princess Mononokeis a gorgeously animated ethnical measure that ’s often accredit with helping Studio Ghibli gain external plaudit . It ’s also Miyazaki ’s most popular environmentalist film , with its dark and emotional narrative centre on the way human progress can stimulate death and desperation . San ’s delineation is particularly all important to the movie ’s subject matter , as the contradiction in terms of her position as a human raised by wolves in nature makes her complicated arc especially resonant of the messiness and complexness of human beings itself .
1. Spirited Away (2001)
Not just Hayao Miyazaki ’s best movie , but also one of thegreatest animated picture ever made , Spirited Awayis a widely clap classic and the manager ’s crowning achievement . The 2001 film tell the tale of 10 - class - old Chihiro , who becomes pin down in a magic world while on her means to her novel abode . To deliver her parents from the witch Yubaba ’s spell that turned them into pigs , Chihiro must be brave and face serious creatures in the unfamiliar humanity .
Spirited Awayfeatures every panorama that makes a Miyazaki moving picture great , from its young admirer on a occur - of - age seeking to its otherworldly setting full of fantastical beast to its environmental subject matter . Of of course , the movie ’s breathtaking visuals perfectly complement its phenomenal narrative , which sees Chihiro transform from a panic-struck baby into a bold sub of her story . Spirited Awayis undoubtedly Ghibli and Miyazaki ’s very best work , and one that could only have add up from that glorious coaction .
