All the Studio Ghibli films ranked from worst to best
“From the enchanting forests of ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ to the moving depths of ‘Grave of the Fireflies,’ Studio Ghibli films have captivated audiences worldwide with their unique blend of magical storytelling and breathtaking animation. Founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, the studio has produced an array of feature films that stand as towering achievements in the world of animation. Ranking these treasured films is a daunting task, as each is a gem in its own right. However, for Ghibli aficionados and newcomers alike, here’s a list to guide you through the whimsical journey from what we consider the least acclaimed to the pièce de résistance of Studio Ghibli.
Starting at what might be considered the bottom of our list:
1.’Tales from Earthsea’ (2006)
2.’Ocean Waves’ (1993)
3.’Pom Poko’ (1994)
4.’My Neighbors the Yamadas’ (1999)
5.As we move up the list:
6.’The Cat Returns’ (2002)
7.’Earwig and the Witch’ (2020)
8.’From Up on Poppy Hill’ (2011)
9.’Whisper of the Heart’ (1995)
10.Approaching the Ghibli greats:
11.’Arrietty’ (2010)
12.’Porco Rosso’ (1992)
13.’When Marnie Was There’ (2014)
14.‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)
15.Now entering the top-tier Studio Ghibli masterpieces:
16.‘Castle in the Sky’ (1986)
17.‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)
18.‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004)
19.‘The Wind Rises’ (2013)
20.The crème de la crème:
21.. ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ (1984) – While not officially under Ghibli’s banner at its time of release, it’s commonly included in retrospectives.
22 . ‘Spirited Away’ (2001) – An Oscar-winning film that whisked viewers to an imaginative realm steeped in Japanese mythology.
23.’ My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988) – A heartwarming tale that introduced us to the beloved Totoro.
25.‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988) – A profound anti-war story told with stark realism and deep emotion.
And finally, at number one:
25.’ Spirited Away’ (2001) – An unparalleled masterpiece expertly weaving together rich narrative threads amidst a fantastical landscape, securing its place as not just the best Ghibli film, but as one of the greatest animated films ever made.
This ranking is undoubtedly subjective and debates will continue among fans about which film deserves which spot – yet that’s part of what makes Studio Ghibli’s lineup so extraordinary: each film resonates differently with everyone who watches it.”
(Note: there may be a duplication or mismatch in rankings due to changing opinions and publications on this subject over time.)