9 Best Studio Ghibli Movies of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · February 5, 2026

Studio Ghibli’s handcrafted animation and deeply humane storytelling have made it one of the most beloved and influential animation studios in the world. In Spirited Away (2001): A young girl must work in a magical bathhouse to free her parents from a witch’s curse. Equally memorable is Grave of the Fireflies (1988): Two siblings struggle to survive on their own in the devastating final months of World War II Japan.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

TMDB ★ 8.0

A mysterious girl found inside a bamboo stalk grows into a woman torn between two worlds.

Directed by Isao Takahata · 2h 17m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Wind Rises (2013)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A dramatization follows the visionary aircraft designer behind Japan's World War II fighter planes.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki · 2h 06m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ponyo (2008)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A magical goldfish princess longs to become human after befriending a young boy.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki · 1h 40m · Rated G

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 88% Metacritic 82

A young woman cursed with old age seeks refuge in the walking castle of a mysterious wizard.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki · 1h 59m · Rated PG

Nominated for 1 Oscar14 wins & 20 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Spirited Away (2001)

IMDb ★ 8.6 RT 96% Metacritic 96

A young girl must work in a magical bathhouse to free her parents from a witch's curse.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki · 2h 05m · Rated PG

Won 1 Oscar58 wins & 31 nominations

Where to watch

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Princess Mononoke (1997)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 93% Metacritic 78

A prince cursed by a demon becomes entangled in a war between forest gods and industrial humans.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki · 2h 14m · Rated PG-13

14 wins & 6 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A young witch leaves home to start an independent life running a flying delivery service.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki · 1h 43m · Rated G

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

IMDb ★ 8.5 RT 100% Metacritic 94

Two siblings struggle to survive on their own in the devastating final months of World War II Japan.

Directed by Isao Takahata · 1h 29m · Rated NR

3 wins

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 94% Metacritic 87

Two young sisters befriend gentle forest spirits after moving to the countryside with their father.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki · 1h 26m · Rated G

6 wins & 2 nominations

Where to watch

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

9 Best Studio Ghibli Movies of All Time

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

The Wind Rises (2013)

Ponyo (2008)

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

Spirited Away (2001)

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

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