Top 10: Studio Ghibli Movies

Studio Ghibli is a legend when it comes to artistry, story and animation. Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata founded the company in 1985 after the success of their 1984 film Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Since then there was no looking back. In the past 34 years, Studio Ghibli has given us numerous masterpieces. The movies that were a part of our childhood, made us nostalgic and even more touched as adults. So here we are with a Top 10 dedicated to these wonderful movies!
Though we say top 10 but honestly no one can actually rank these masterpieces- each as beautiful as the other. Let’s have a look –

1. SPIRITED AWAY

This is one movie that will always be number one no matter which Studio Ghibli fan you ask. And there is a good reason for that I assure you. Spirited Away, released in 2001, is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s best works and you can really feel it as you progress through the journey with 10-year old Chihiro who is stuck in a spirit world with little help.
There are numerous moments in this film that made me jump (in a good way). The bizarre yet mesmerizing style, the brave protagonist, that element of mystery and of course characters that will awe and scare you at the same time- Spirited Away is really one of a kind. Oh and it gave us No Face one of the most popular animated character ever! Pretty convincing, ain’t it?

2. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO

Okay, who doesn’t like this one? Everyone is in love with the giant fluff ball who is always there for his young neighbors. Honestly, I get a bit teary-eyed every time I think about this film. The story of two sisters with an ailing mother and busy father. They brave through everything and create their own world- of course with some help from their adorable friend. Hold on… let me get the tissues before I continue typing…
My Neighbor Totoro was released in 1988 and even after over 30 years remains one of the best animation movies ever made.

3. HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE

Ah… a beautifully woven fantasy from the master artist. Howl’s Moving Castle was released in 2004 and is a classic classic. Yes, I used the word ‘classic’ twice. It’s important to emphasize how visually stunning and emotionally fulfilling this move is. It is one of those wholesome treats rare beyond the backyard of Studio Ghibli. I am not kidding.
This fairy-tale movie gave us some of the most loved characters and… memes! Can’t forget those.

4. GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

Wait a minute… where are those tissues I kept…. ah found them! Okay let’s continue… Grave of the Fireflies, 1988, will wreck you emotionally. It’s a good one, a masterpiece even, but in my opinion anyone who has watched this more than once is a masochist. No exceptions. I mean, I started ugly crying in the first scene itself…
So the story which is set in the backdrop of World War 2 Japan is adapted from Akiyuki Nosaka’s short story of the same name. It follows two siblings who… okay no spoilers. Anyways tears clean our eyes so go ahead- watch this one if you haven’t already.

5. PRINCESS MONONOKE

1997 movie Princess Mononoke is one of the major productions from Studio Ghibli. It may fall into the fantasy-adventure category but is one of the most complex and philosophical works of Miyazaki. It remains true to the themes running through all Ghibli movies.
I always get goosebumps thinking about this one, it is not as tear-jerking as some other films but it evokes some other deep, different emotion within the viewers. A must-watch, there are no words in which I can completely describe Princess Mononoke.

6. LAPUTA: CASTLE IN THE SKY

The first official Studio Ghibli movie, Castle in the Sky (Laputa) was released in 1986. A true to the bone action-adventure, this movie will take you on a magical journey with airborne pirates, steampunk-style airships, giant robots and of course a giant floating castle.
I can’t even express the emotions I felt when I watched this movie for the first time as a kid… it was just awe-inspiring. And great music to boot!

7. KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE

1989 was the year that gave us the much-loved clumsy teenage witch in Kiki’s Delivery Service. It’s a coming of age story of self-discovery and has some of the most adorable character designs. This movie is a perfect blend of themes of individuality and vulnerability. There is empowerment but also reliance- a balance hard to achieve and even harder to convey as beautifully as Miyazaki and his team does.

8. THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA

Isao Takahata’s final film and one that leaves a deep emotional impression on anyone who watches. The Tale of Princess Kaguya was released in 2013. Sigh… I need tissues again. But moving on, this movie is kind of an old fashioned fairytale but never judge a Studio Ghibli movie by its synopsis.
The art, style, the narration…. It all hits you differently once you approach the end.

9. WHISPER OF THE HEART

This 1995 movie starts with the 1971 classic song ‘Country Roads’ and gives it its own turn in the subsequent scenes. And how well is it done! I still find myself singing this melody every now and then… it just leaves that deep of an impression in the context the movie uses and transforms it. Yoshifumi Kondo’s only feature film; it takes a different form than most Ghibli movies but is nevertheless one of the most inspiring ones.

10. POM POKO

Pom Poko which was released in 1994 is considered to be the best film by Isao Takahata. Another classic and one that uses allegory as a means to deliver its message. It has a lot of comic elements but underlying it are themes familiar to us all and that more relatable. It is a must-watch for even non-Ghibli fans as you won’t be able to remain unaffected even though the same themes have been in centre for dozens of other movies. Maybe that is what Ghibli magic is and what makes it a legend.