Studio Ghibli Movies in Order: Are you a fan of watching adventurous animation movies? Then, this is one of the best film series for you to watch.
Studio Ghibli, led by animators Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, was established in 1985 and has since released twenty-two full-length films. The vast majority of Studio Ghibli features debuted at the top of the Japanese box office in the calendar year of their initial theatrical release. With over 30 billion yen in ticket sales, Hayao Miyazaki’s SPIRITED AWAY (2001) is the highest-grossing film ever in Japan. Its mascot and most recognizable symbol is a character named Totoro, a giant catlike spirit from the 1988 anime film My Neighbor Totoro. Among the studio’s highest-grossing films are Spirited Away (2001), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), and Ponyo (2008).
Animation experts and critics all over the world have consistently praised the films from Studio Ghibli. In addition to taking home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film at that year’s ceremony, the film SPIRITED AWAY also won the Golden Bear at Berlin’s international film festival that same year. Studio Ghibli and the Tokuma Memorial Cultural Foundation for Animation opened the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (which Hayao Miyazaki conceptualized) in October 2001. Studio Ghibli has received four consecutive nominations for Best Animated Feature Film for their films THE WIND RISES (2013), THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA (2013), WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE (2014), and THE RED TURTLE (2016). The studio is currently working on a new production.
Here is this article you will get the list of all Studio Ghibli movies in release order. You may also stream All Studio Ghibli movies on HBO MAX also. Love STUDIO GHIBLI as much as we do?
All of Studio Ghibli Movies in Order by Year
1. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is an epic masterpiece of sweeping scope and grandeur that remains one of the most breathtaking and exhilarating animated films of all time. A thousand years after the Seven Days of Fire destroyed civilization, warring human factions survive in a world devastated by atmospheric poisons and swarming with gigantic insects. The peaceful Valley of the Wind is nestled on the edge of the Toxic Forest and led by the courageous Princess Nausicaä, whose love of all living things leads her into terrible danger, as she fights to restore balance between humans and nature.
2. Castle in the Sky
Castle in the Sky is a timeless story of courage and friendship, with stunning animation from director Hayao Miyazaki. This high-fl ying adventure begins when Pazu, an engineer’s apprentice, spies a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky, held aloft by a glowing pendant. Both Sheeta and Pazu are searching for the legendary fl oating castle, Laputa, and they vow to travel there together to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal. But their quest won’t be easy, as soon they are being pursued by greedy air pirates, the military, and secret government agents, who all seek the power Sheeta alone can control.
3. Grave of the Fireflies
Based on the retellings of survivor Nosaka Akiyuki and directed by Iaso Takahata , Grave of the Fireflies has been universally hailed as an artistic and emotional tour de force. Now digitally remastered and restored, it is one of the rare films that truly deserves to be called a masterpiece.
As the Empire of the Sun crumbles upon itself and a rain of firebombs falls upon Japan, the final death march of a nation is echoed in millions of smaller tragedies. This is the story of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, two children born at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and now cast adrift in a world that lacks not the care to shelter them, but simply the resources. Forced to fend for themselves in the aftermath of fires that swept entire cities from the face of the earth, their doomed struggle is both a tribute to the human spirit and the stuff of nightmares. Beautiful, yet at times brutal and horrifying.
4. My Neighbor Totoro
The legendary Studio Ghibli, comes a classic tale of magic and adventure for the whole family. When Satsuki and her sister Mei move with their father to a new home in the countryside, they find country life is not as simple as it seems. They soon discover that the house and nearby woods are full of strange and delightful creatures, including a gigantic but gentle forest spirit called Totoro, who can only be seen by children. Totoro and his friends introduce the girls to a series of adventures, including a ride aboard the extraordinary Cat Bus, in this all-ages animated masterpiece featuring the voices of Tim Daly, Lea Salonga, and real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning, in one of their earliest roles.
5. Kiki’s Delivery Service
Director Hayao Miyazaki, comes the beloved coming-of-age story of a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt. It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world, featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, and Debbie Reynolds.
6. Only Yesterday
Deftly switching between past and present, Only Yesterday is a masterpiece of time and tone, rich with humor and stirring emotion, and beautifully animated by Studio Ghibli, one of the world’s most revered animation studios. It tells the story of Taeko, a single woman working a desk job in Tokyo, who has reached a point in her life where she needs to get away from her job, her family and most of all, big city life. A much needed vacation to the countryside stirs childhood memories, recalling her time as a schoolgirl in 1966. Amidst beautiful country scenery, Taeko reflects on her life and forming new friendships, begins to make some tough decisions about her future.
7. Porco Rosso
Director Hayao Miyazaki, comes a dazzling aerial adventure set in and above the scenic port towns of the Adriatic Sea. “Porco Rosso” is a world-weary flying ace-turned-bounty-hunter, whose face has been transformed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell. When he infuriates a band of sky pirates with his heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a hotshot American rival, to get rid of him. But with the help of the teenage girl Fio, an aspiring airplane designer, and a sultry lounge singer named Gina, Porco takes to the skies for what may be his final high-flying showdown.
8. Ocean Waves
Kochi is your average coastal town on the sleepy, idyllic island of Shikoku and young Taku is definitely your average high school student. But soon his quiet life will be turned upside down with the arrival of Rikako: a beautiful student recently transferred from Tokyo. By the end of the term Taku will have learnt a valuable lesson in love and friendship.
9. Pom Poko
Director Isao Takahata, comes an action-packed ecological fable about the clash between nature and human civilization. The tanuki (raccoon dogs) of Tama Hills find their fun-loving community under attack when their quiet woodlands are threatened by encroaching developers looking to create still more houses and shopping malls. Desperate to survive, the tanuki band together and learn the ancient art of transformation, shape-shifting into a comical variety of humans and spirits as they undertake a last-ditch plan to scare away the humans and save their home, in this deeply affecting, funny and heartfelt look at what it means to live in the modern world.
10. Whisper of the Heart
Discover the brilliance of this heartwarming coming-of-age classic from the legendary Studio Ghibli. A chance encoutner with a mysterious cat sends Shuzuku, a quiet schoolgirl, on a quest for her true talent. Together with Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted byThe Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers of her heart, Shuzuku embarks on a life-changing adventure that takes her beyond the boundaries of her imagination. This beautiful tale based on a screenplay from Hayao Miyazaki will delight and amaze audiences of all ages!
11. Princess Mononoke
A beautifully realised tale of civilisation versus nature, PRINCESS MONONOKE is a true epic by Japan’s master animator Hayao Miyazaki.
Director Hayao Miyazaki, comes an epic masterpiece that has dazzled audiences worldwide with its breathtaking imagination, exhilarating battles, and deep humanity. While protecting his village from a rampaging boar-god, the young warrior Ashitaka becomes afflicted with a deadly curse. To find the cure that will save his life, he journeys deep into sacred depths of the Great Forest Spirit’s realm where he meets San (Princess Mononoke), a girl raised by wolves. It’s not long before Ashitaka is caught in the middle of a battle between iron-ore prospecting humans and the forest dwellers. He must summon the spirit-powers and all his courage to stop man and nature from destroying each other.
12. My Neighbors the Yamadas
Director Isao Takahata, comes a classic comedy for the whole family, now available in high-definition Blu-ray for the first time ever in North America! Join in the adventures of the quirky Yamada family – from the hilarious to the touching – brilliantly presented in a unique, visually striking comic strip style Yamada family in this wonderfully o beat celebration of the little and sometimes bigger victories of life. Presented in a series of brilliant comic vignettes, Takashi Yamada and his wacky wife Matsuko navigate their way through the ups and downs of work, marriage, and family life with a sharp-tongued grandmother, a teenage son who wishes he had cooler parents, and a young daughter with an unusually loud voice.
13. Spirited Away
From Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animated cinema, comes the Academy Award winning masterpiece, Spirited Away.
Spirited Away is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl named Chihiro who discovers a secret world of strange spirits, creatures and sorcery. Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the soceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time.
14. The Cat Returns
From the legendary Studio Ghibli, comes a charming and magical adventure that will delight the entire family. Haru is walking home after a dreary day of school when she spies a cat with a small gift box in its mouth crossing a busy street, and she jumps in front of traffic to save the cat from an oncoming truck. To her amazement, the cat gets up on its hind legs, brushes itself off, and thanks her very politely. But things take an even stranger turn when later that night, the King of Cats shows up at her doorstep in a feline motorcade. He showers Haru with gifts, and decrees that she shall marry the Prince and come live in the Kingdom of Cats!
15. Howl’s Moving Castle
Director Hayao Miyazaki, comes the Academy Award- nominated fantasy adventure for the whole family. Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman. On a quest to break the spell, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and into a new life of wonder and adventure. But as the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, Sophie finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery that threatens their world.
16. Tales from Earthsea
From director Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill), comes an animated fantasy epic based on the classic book series by Ursula K. Le Guin. In the land of Earthsea, crops are failing and livestock dying. Two dragons appear from the storm clouds and devour each other – an omen of impending disaster. The balance of the world is in peril of tearing apart. In his search for the cause of this encroaching catastrophe, the Archmage Ged, the greatest of wizards, meets Arren, exiled Prince of Enlad, in flight from a nameless Shadow. They journey through ruined landscapes to Hort Town – a city where blank citizens deal only in fake goods, slaves are traded and addicts wander the dangerous streets – and cross paths with Therru, an orphan girl with a fire-scarred face. Ged learns that the wizard Cob, in his search for eternal life, is preparing to open the door between the realms of the living and the dead. An old and defeated adversary, Cob has sworn to take terrible revenge on Ged.
17. Ponyo
Director Hayao Miyazaki, comes a heartwarming adventure, now featuring hours of new bonus features never-before-released in North America. In a small town by the sea lives five year old Sosuke, high on a cliff overlooking the Inland Sea. One morning while playing on the rocky beach below his house, he discovers a goldfish he names Ponyo, her head stuck in a jam jar. Sosuke rescues Ponyo and keeps her in a green plastic bucket. Both Ponyo and Sosuke are fascinated by each other and promise to stay firm friends until Ponyo’s father, a sorcerer who lives deep under the sea, forces her to return with him to the ocean depths. What follows is an amazing underwater adventure for all ages…
18. Arrietty
Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, comes a gorgeous and adventure-filled adaptation of The Borrowers, one of the most beloved children’s books of all time. In this whimsical adventure, tiny 14-year-old Arrietty lives under the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden with her father and mother. Arrietty and her family live by borrowing. Everything they have, they borrow or make from the things they have borrowed from the old lady who lives in the mansion. Their peaceful life is dramatically changed when the ever-curious Arrietty accidentally allows herself to be seen by Sho, a lonely 12-year-old human boy. The two begin to confide in each other and, before long, a friendship begins to blossom…
19. From Up on Poppy Hill
From the legendary Studio Ghibli, comes another animated triumph, a high school love story that takes place in 1963, the year before the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Yokohama, 1963. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the Olympics. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi (Sarah Bolder) and Shun (Anton Yelchin) – but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart. From a screenplay by Academy Award® winner Hayao Miyazaki and featuring an all-star English voice cast!
20. The Wind Rises
Hayao Miyazaki comes a spellbinding movie beyond compare. Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted and unable to be a pilot, he becomes one of the world’s most accomplished airplane designers, experiencing key historical events in an epic tale of love, perseverance and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.
21. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
From Studio Ghibli, the studio that brought you a powerful and sweeping epic that redefines animated storytelling and marks a triumphant highpoint within an extraordinary filmmaking career for director Isao Takahata. Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her – but ultimately she must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime.
22. When Marnie Was There
Based on the beloved young adult novel by Joan G. Robinson and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (The Secret World of Arrietty), When Marnie Was There is a haunting tale gorgeously rendered with its moonlit seascapes, glowing orchestral score, and powerful portrayals of friendship and belonging. A sweeping story of friendship, mystery and discovery that delivers stirring emotions and breathtaking animation as only Studio Ghibli can.
When Twelve-year-old Anna believes she sits outside the invisible magic circle to which most people belong, and shuts herself off from everyone around her. Concerned for her health, Anna’s foster mother decides to send her to rural Hokkaido to stay in a sleepy town by the sea. As she dreams her days away amongst the marshes, Anna finds herself strangely drawn to the enigmatic house which sits upon the edge there. This is where she meets Marnie, an energetic young girl who seems to appear from nowhere. The pair quickly become inseparable. One evening, Marnie makes a heartfelt request of Anna: “Promise me something – that we’ll remain a secret, forever.” Anna begins to wonder about her newfound friend and is compelled to investigate the truth about her. As she is drawn deeper into Marnie’s world, she begins to learn about family, friendship and kindness.
23. The Red Turtle
A co-production between Studio Ghibli and several French companies, including Wild Bunch, and The Red Turtle tells the story of a man who becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island and meets a giant red female turtle.
In a majestic world of intricate hand-drawn textures, a shipwrecked man is found marooned on a desert island. With his attempted escapes thwarted by the strange and larger-than-life titular red reptile, the man’s existence is forever altered when something extraordinary occurs. The film has no dialogue.
24. Earwig and the Witch
Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.
25. How Do You Live?
An upcoming Japanese animated film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli, How Do You Live? is inspired by the 1937 novel of the same name by Yoshino Genzaburo, centers around how the real-world novel How Do You Live? features prominently in the protagonist’s life. It will released in Japan on July 14, 2023, and distributed by Toho.
How many Studio Ghibli movies are there?
Best known for its animated feature films, the Studio Ghibli film series consists of a total of TWENTY FIVE (25) movies that delivers plenty of action and adventure — think Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Yuyu Hakusho, and so much more.
All Studio Ghibli Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is the all of the Studio Ghibli films in order, they were released.
1. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — March 11, 1984
2. Castle in the Sky — August 2, 1986
3. Grave of the Fireflies — April 16, 1988
4. My Neighbor Totoro — April 16, 1988
5. Kiki’s Delivery Service — July 29, 1989
6. Only Yesterday — July 20, 1991
7. Porco Rosso — July 18, 1992
8. Ocean Waves — May 5, 1993
9. Pom Poko — July 16, 1994
10. Whisper of the Heart — July 15, 1995
11. Princess Mononoke — July 12, 1997
12. My Neighbors the Yamadas — July 17, 1999
13. Spirited Away — July 20, 2001
14. The Cat Returns — July 19, 2002
15. Howl’s Moving Castle — November 20, 2004
16. Tales from Earthsea — July 29, 2006
17. Ponyo — July 19, 2008
18. Arrietty — July 17, 2010
19. From Up on Poppy Hill — July 16, 2011
20. The Wind Rises — July 20, 2013
21. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya — November 23, 2013
22. When Marnie Was There — July 19, 2014
23. The Red Turtle — May 18, 2016
24. Earwig and the Witch — August 27, 2021
25. How Do You Live? — July 14, 2023
Order of Studio Ghibli Movies by Ranked [Rottentomatoes]
Here is the List of Studio Ghibli movies ranked by Rottentomatoes:
1. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013) — 100%
2. Only Yesterday (1991) — 100%
3. Grave of the Fireflies (1988) — 100%
4. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) — 98%
5. Spirited Away (2001) — 97%
6. Castle in the Sky (1986) — 96%
7. My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — 95%
8. Porco Rosso (1992) — 95%
9. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) — 94%
10. Whisper of the Heart (1995) — 94%
11. Princess Mononoke (1997) — 93%
12. When Marnie Was There (2014) — 92%
13. Ponyo (2008) — 91%
14. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) — 89%
15. Ocean Waves (1993) — 89%
16. The Wind Rises (2013) — 88%
17. The Cat Returns (2002) — 88%
18. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) — 87%
19. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) — 87%
20. Pom Poko (1994) — 86%
21. My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) — 78%
22. Tales from Earthsea (2006) — 40%
23. Earwig and the Witch (2020) — 29%
Where to Watch Studio Ghibli Movies?
The legendary animations from Studio Ghibli now live on HBO Max. Experience all the magic in store when you become a subscriber.
Has Studio Ghibli been removed from Netflix?
The Studio Ghibli movies are not currently available to stream on Netflix in the US & Canada. Instead, they’re exclusive to HBO Max, because HBO bought the rights to stream films in the US in 2019. It announced in October that the same 21 movies will be available on its own streaming service HBO Max.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Studio Ghibli movies, spanning from their debut film “Castle in the Sky” to the latest release “Earwig and the Witch,” have captivated audiences with their stunning animation, profound themes, and unforgettable characters. These films have pushed the boundaries of imagination, exploring diverse narratives and touching the hearts of viewers worldwide. With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to preserving the art of hand-drawn animation, Studio Ghibli has created a remarkable collection of films that provoke thought and evoke a range of emotions. Their legacy as masters of storytelling and artistry will continue to inspire generations to come.
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