Studio Ghibli Movies Ranked Worst To Best

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Over the last few decades, Studio Ghibli has built itself up by using the animation medium to capture the imaginations of the masses by introducing them to fantastical worlds in its works. Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki along with three other Japanese filmmakers, the studio has made its name by producing an extensive library of animated features. The continually imaginative and visually stunning films have even earned Studio Ghibli the affectionate nickname "The Disney of Japan." 

With 22 feature-length films under its belt, Studio Ghibli has something for everyone, be it a fantastical adventure, drama, or romance. With the Ghibli collection headed to HBO Max in 2020, it will be easy for fans to find their favorite titles, be it the Oscar-winning Spirited Away or the more obscure My Neighbors The Yamadas. In celebration of Studio Ghibli's vast collection of animated works, here is a ranking of all of Ghibli's feature-length films from worst to best. 

My Neighbors the Yamadas is a comedy in the style of a Japanese comic strip. The film is a compilation of stories following members of the Yamada family: Takashi and Matsuko, their son Noboru, their daughter Nonoko, the grandmother Shige, and the family dog Pochi. In each segment, different issues such as disputes between the married couple and the relationships between the family members are explored. While there is tension from time to time, the family is overall very attached and devoted to each other, tying in with the film's theme of familial love.

Though My Neighbors the Yamadas is an inoffensive and entertaining watch, the film pales in comparison to other Studio Ghibli titles. It is also a bit strange, considering its vignette style of storytelling as opposed to the singular narrative found in other Studio Ghibli titles. While certainly not the most impressive entry in the Studio Ghibli library, My Neighbors the Yamadas is a cute film with comedic elements that many viewers are bound to find enjoyable. 

Porco Rosso used to be an Italian fighter pilot in the First World War. However, a curse gives him the appearance of an anthropomorphic pig. After the war, Porco made it his duty to hunt down air-pirates who use their planes to wreak havoc on honest people. But when a young pirate shoots his aircraft down, Porco has to make the dangerous journey to his mechanic so he can have repairs done. All the while, Porco must avoid deadly pirates and the fascist police of Northern Italy. 

Porco Rosso is a lighthearted action film that goes to great lengths to show Hayao Miyazaki's admiration of early aviation. There are a lot of shots of Porco operating his plane with the use of several levers, sticks, and pedals that highlights the film's attention to detail. While the story is relatively safe, the real draw of this film is the action during the mid-air dogfights. Though not as groundbreaking as other Studio Ghibli titles, Porco Rosso still has plenty to offer and is worth a watch.

As construction expands to the outskirts of Tokyo, the surrounding forest becomes drained of its natural resources. The tanuki, based on the raccoon dogs native to Japan, unite to stop further human expansion from destroying their forest home. Using their powers of illusion, the tanuki manage to temporarily scare off construction workers. Despite their attempts, new workers replace those that are lost, causing the tanuki to up their game. 

As the threat of deforestation looms, the tanuki take desperate measures. This desperation culminates in strange scenarios such as staging elaborate hauntings to scare humans, garnering media attention, and even relying on eco-terrorism to stall construction. 

Pom Poko is an environmentally conscious film that aims to highlight the plight of animals rapidly losing their lands to suburban development. It can feel a bit on the nose, however, and directly calls the viewer to action. Despite some heavy-handed themes and awkward pacing, the film has some fun, expressive animation and characters that still make Pom Poko an engaging watch.

After Haru Yoshioka saves the life of a cat crossing the street, her life takes a turn for the weird when the cat turns out to be the prince of Cat Kingdom and asks for her hand in marriage. Haru is uninterested in this proposal. Due to a misunderstanding, however, she is taken to the Cat Kingdom, and she slowly becomes more and more cat-like. With time running out before Haru permanently transforms into a cat, she must escape the Cat Kingdom and regain her human form.

The Cat Returns is a cute fantasy adventure that is ultimately a fun watch. Still, the film lacks the grand scope that has come to be expected from Studio Ghibli titles. Compared to the visual masterpiece of Spirited Away, which was released during the same year as The Cat Returns, the film is both lighter in tone and bit less daring in terms of animation. However, The Cat Returns is far from a failure. With a 90 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, it's fair to say the film is definitely enjoyable and is an overall solid flick for animation fans and cat lovers alike. 

Based on Diana Wynne Jones's novel of the same name, Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie, a hatmaker who is cursed by a witch. As a result of the witch's magic, Sophie is transformed into an old woman and embarks on a journey to break the spell. Along the way, she meets an enchanted scarecrow and seeks out Howl, a wizard who lives in a magical moving castle. As she tries to reverse the spell, she must brave war, the henchmen of an angry king, and even time travel.

Miyazaki's works are usually awash with commentaries on how humans interact with nature, displaying the creator's passion for taking care of the environment. However, Howl's Moving Castle focuses around themes of how humans interact and bond with each other. In conveying this theme, Howl's Moving Castle discusses complicated topics such as war, loyalty to nations, and coming to terms with one's age. The unique variety of themes combines with the standard fare of breathtaking animation, fun characters, and plenty of humor makes Howl's Moving Castle one of the most inventive Studio Ghibli films.

In Whisper of the Heart, Shizuki is a student about to take her high school entrance exams. She soon meets young Seiji, who goes to her school, and finds out that he is a talented musician who dreams of becoming a master luthier, or violin maker. She becomes enamored with Seiji, but he announces that he is about to leave to study with a luthier for two months in Italy. During this time, Shizuki decides to similarly focus on developing her skills by devoting time to writing. This newfound dedication causes problems for Shizuki, whose grades fall as a result, and she has tough conversations with her parents about the viability of choosing a career as a writer. 

Whisper of the Heart is impressive in how it tackles the creative process and the struggles of balancing creative endeavors with more traditional pursuits. Instead of chastising these creative endeavors, they are framed as something that takes skill and dedication to master and develop.

While other Studio Ghibli films may stand out for their lush environments or their tense action scenes, Whisper of the Heart's strength is the emotional journey that the Shizuki goes on throughout the film. The film is relatable and down to Earth, making Whisper of the Heart one of the more uniquely mundane films from the studio. 

Moving closer to where their mother is being treated in a hospital, sisters Satsuki and Mei discover a host of magical beings living in their new town. Guided by friendly dust creatures, Mei meets Totoro, a giant cat-like animal that lives in a hollow by the girl's house. Eventually, Totoro also reveals himself to Satsuki, and the sisters are introduced to the whimsical life shared by Totoro and his fantastical friends. 

Though the film is mostly filled with cute critters and upbeat interactions between Satsuki and her younger sister, it also has its fair share of tension. Despite some sad moments that can easily bring a tear to one's eye, My Neighbor Totoro is wildly fun to watch and instills a sense of childlike wonder that few other films can achieve. My Neighbor Totoro has delighted fans and critics alike, and for good reason. Be it Totoro, the soot spirits, or the strange Catbus, My Neighbor Totoro film will undoubtedly leave a lasting positive impact on its viewers. 

The Secret World of Arrietty is an adaptation of the 1952 novel The Borrowers, written by English author Mary Norton. The film follows young Arrietty Clock and her family, a family of borrowers, or people who stand at about four inches tall that scavenge or borrow from the houses of ordinary humans. The family's safety is threatened when the young boy of the house, Sho, sees Arrietty as she and her father are borrowing in his room late one night. 

While Studio Ghibli films are renowned for their ability to create fantastical worlds that are full of fascinating creatures and locales, The Secret World of Arrietty engenders that same sense of wonder, scope, and adventure within its utterly mundane setting. In addition to beautiful animation and excellent art design, the film is supplemented with a soundtrack that helps build on the sweet overall tone. With a blend of fantastic music and visuals, The Secret World of Arrietty is a beautiful tale of blossoming friendship that perfectly balances between a calm, slice-of-life narrative and a fun adventure story. 

In Kiki's Delivery Service, a young witch named Kiki prepares to leave her home and train as a witch in a new town. Supported by her talking black cat Jiji, she flies to a seaside town where they're hosted by a friendly baker and her husband. Quickly, Kiki finds her footing as a delivery girl and captures the attention of a boy named Tombo, who clamors for her attention. Though Kiki loves her new home, her delivery work isn't without its struggles. Eventually, Kiki faces a complete loss of confidence, resulting in her powers disappearing. The young witch must confront her self-doubt if she wants to find her niche as a successful witch and thrive in her seaside home. 

Kiki's Delivery Service is a magical tale with beautiful animation that makes Kiki's world feel warm and idyllic. All of the characters are expressive and relatable, especially Kiki, who struggles to fit into her new town and discover her unique talents. Starting as over-confident and slowly becoming isolated and unsure, Kiki is a brilliantly executed character that encourages viewers to overcome obstacles and fly high. 

With a distinct watercolor aesthetic, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a beautifully animated piece based on the Japanese folklore titled The Tale of The Bamboo Cutter. In the film, a bamboo cutter finds a girl inside a bamboo shoot, whom he names Kaguya. Realizing that the girl is divine, he moves Kaguya to a mansion in the capital where she is trained to become a noble lady. 

Despite an array of suitors and a life of luxury, Princess Kaguya feels stifled by her royal life. She misses her simple existence before moving and her old friends outside the capital. Despite Kaguya's divinity, she wants to live life to the fullest instead of being a spectacle stripped of freedom by the royal lifestyle.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is without a doubt one of Studio Ghibli's most visually unique works, resulting in a well-deserved 100 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film's distinct animation and style results in a uniquely pleasant experience that helps solidify The Tale of the Princess Kaguya as one of Studio Ghibli's strongest entries. 

Taking place in Japan during World War II, Grave of the Fireflies follows Seita and his sister Setsuko who survive a firebombing that destroys their home. Because their mother is killed in the fire, Seita is now responsible for his younger sister's well-being. Thrust into the role of a parent, Seita must find a way to feed himself and his sister in the midst of rapidly shrinking rations. 

Grave of the Fireflies is unique in that it reveals the main character's deaths at the beginning of the film. The remainder of the runtime is told through a flashback that contextualizes Seita's death and the hardships he was forced to endure. Ultimately, the film is a grim and heartbreaking experience that bears far more weight than any other Studio Ghibli movie.

While Grave of the Fireflies may prove too difficult for some viewers to endure, the film's themes surrounding the tragedy of war are brilliantly executed. In the end, Seita and Setsuko are innocent children whose lives are destroyed by a war they had no say in and are left alone to face the consequences. In a post-war society, no one can provide for these children, forcing Seita into an adult role he is largely unprepared to handle.