Nine Best Animated Movies of Studio Ghibi

Have you ever watched an animated movie of Studio Ghibi? This production company offers high quality works. The list below was composed in year 2011.

Studio Ghibi was established in 1985. It keeps producing animated movies that are worthy of watching. Maybe you are a Studio Ghibi fan and have already watched the complete list of its production. Though I haven’t watched all, I can still recommend nine movies with two honorable mentions, listed in alphabetical order. All photos are from Wikipedia except the one for On Your Mark that comes from Anime News Network's Encyclopedia. The IMDb links are provided for your quick reference.

Castle in the Sky or Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092067/

The story was about a lovely girl being kidnapped to a flying castle. A brave boy saved her from the bad guy. Audience will learn about the secret of this flying castle in which there are interesting robots. The supporting casts, a gang of robbers, are also amusing.

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095327/

The story was about a young boy and his little sister struggling to survive during the wartime. The two protagonists are piteous and the movie may provoke some audience shed tears. It is said to be one of the most powerful anti-war movies. Hope you won’t skip it due to the sad theme and mood.

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347149/

The movie is an adaption from the famous fantasy work (same title) written by Diana Wynne Jones. Though some changes were made on the plots, Sophie’s adventure remained to be wonderful. Her new friends were fascinating and she found her true love, Howl.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097814/

When we talk about witch, the first impression is often creepy. It’s time for a change then. Let Kiki work her magic to show us the life of a lovely and good-natured young witch. See how she learned to work independently and help others using her talent.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096283/

Do you believe in forest spirits? I hope you won’t turn down the opportunity to see some cute spirits and even a grinning cat bus. The story is simple. Two little girls got the help of these lovely and kind spirits to take a peek at their mother in the hospital. The characters, spirits and humans, will make your day.

Ponyo (2008)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0876563/

What’s good to be a human? If you can’t find a mermaid to give you an answer, maybe the goldfish princess could solve the riddle. She desperately wanted to be a human. Pray that she will have a better fate than the Mermaid in the fairy tales. Let’s see what happened to her.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119698/

The world portrayed was a bloody one. There were a lot of wars between humans and forest beasts. The Forest Spirit was shot to death. With all the killings and death, can life find its way to sustain and turn over a new leaf?

                                             

Spirited Away (2001)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245429/

The little girl, Chihiro experienced a terrible sight -- her parents turned to pigs. Alone in a strange world, she was forced to work and came across many marvelous things. How could she save herself and her parents, and get away from the spirit world? Any help?

The Cat Returns (2002)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347618/

Repayment of one’s kindness is common but sometimes, it could be annoying due to the absurd method and content. Poor Haru, let’s follow her and we will have an extraordinary adventure in the cat kingdom.

Two honorable mentions:

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087544/

Again, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this animated movie was released before the setup of Studio Ghibli. It adopts the
environmental theme. War polluted the world and the Nature was off balanced. Giant insects existed. Under the self-recovery process of the Nature, could the giant insects and humans live in peace together?

On Your Mark (1995)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114038/

Unlike others, this one is a music video Hayao Miyazaki directed for Change and Aska’s song, On Your Mark. It lasts for 6 minutes and 29 seconds. The theme is freedom and I find the story very touching.

Studio Ghibi is still producing high quality animated films. So, the list may be updated in the future. If you enjoy most of the movies in the list, I suggest that you check out the missing ones as well. Welcome to leave a message telling us your favorites. Enjoy watching.

Author’s note:

Besides Studio Ghibi’s productions, there are many other good animated films available in the market. If you would like to have some quick references, click into the two articles below for some ideas.

10 Best Celebrity Voice Actors in Animated Movies

Ten Best Animated Movies for All Ages