If you’ve ever scrolled through Netflix, browsed social media, or walked through a pop-culture store, you’ve likely seen them: a giant grey fuzzy creature holding an umbrella, a glowing bathhouse for spirits, or a walking castle powered by a fire demon.
This is the world of Studio Ghibli.
For decades, this legendary Japanese animation powerhouse, led by masters like Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, has been crafting films that transcend the “anime” genre. Ghibli movies are renowned for their stunning hand-drawn artistry, lush environmental themes, obsession with flying, and a unique ability to find profound magic in everyday life.
But with over 20 films in their catalogue, stepping into the Ghibli universe can feel daunting. Where do you begin?
Whether you are a total newcomer looking for your first entry point or a casual fan wanting to tick off the classics, here is a guide to the most popular and essential Studio Ghibli movies.
🌟 The “Big Three” (The Perfect Starting Points)
If you only watch three Ghibli films in your life, make it these. They are the cultural cornerstones of the studio and offer the perfect blend of whimsy, heart, and visual splendor.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
Often cited as one of the greatest animated films ever made (and the winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature), Spirited Away is a masterpiece of imagination.
The story follows young Chihiro, who accidentally stumbles into a world of spirits. When her parents are turned into pigs due to gluttony, she must take a job in a magically chaotic bathhouse run by a tyrannical witch to save them. It is a surreal, sometimes scary, and deeply beautiful coming-of-age Alice in Wonderland-style tale.
2. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
This is the face of the studio—literally. The titular character, Totoro, is on the Studio Ghibli logo.
If Spirited Away is an epic journey, Totoro is a warm hug. Set in 1950s rural Japan, it follows two young sisters who move to a new house to be closer to their hospitalized mother. In the nearby forest, they discover gentle, magical spirits. There is no great villain here; it’s simply a pure, nostalgic look at childhood wonder and the comfort of nature.
3. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Visually spectacular and incredibly romantic, this is a fan favorite for its aesthetic and memorable characters.
When a shy hatmaker named Sophie is cursed by a witch and turned into an old woman, she seeks refuge in the bizarre, walking castle of the flamboyant wizard Howl. It’s a story about finding inner beauty, the futility of war, and finding a family in the most unexpected places. (Also, the soundtrack is unforgettable).
⚔️ For the Epic Adventure Seeker
If you prefer higher stakes, intense action, and sprawling fantasy worlds, these films are your best bet.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Be warned: this is not a children’s movie. It is a mature, sometimes violent, epic.
Set in medieval Japan, it tells the story of Ashitaka, a prince cursed by a demon, who travels west to find a cure. He stumbles into a brutal war between an industrial mining town led by the ambitious Lady Eboshi and the gods of the forest, led by the fierce human girl San (Princess Mononoke). It is perhaps Miyazaki’s most complex exploration of his favorite theme: humanity versus nature.
Castle in the Sky (1986)
The studio’s very first official film is a rip-roaring, steampunk-flavored adventure. It features a young boy and girl possessing a magical crystal, racing against sky pirates and secret agents to find the legendary floating city of Laputa. It’s pure, classic adventure cinema.
🏡 For Cozy, “Slice-of-Life” Vibes
Sometimes you just want a movie that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. Ghibli excels at “low-stakes” magic.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
This charming film follows Kiki, a 13-year-old trainee witch who must leave home for a year to establish herself in a new town. Accompanied by her sarcastic talking cat Jiji, she uses her flying broom to start a delivery service. It’s a relatable, gentle story about burnout, independence, and finding your own path.
Ponyo (2008)
If you have younger kids, start here. A loose reimagining of The Little Mermaid, this vibrant explosion of color follows a goldfish princess who desperately wants to become a human boy’s friend. It is pure, unfiltered joy brought to life on screen.
A Final Note on Ghibli Magic
The beauty of Studio Ghibli is that there is truly no “wrong” place to start. Whether you are watching a pig pilot fight fascists over the Adriatic Sea (Porco Rosso) or tiny people living under floorboards (The Secret World of Arrietty), you are guaranteed a singular artistic vision.