Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have given us something rare: films that don’t just tell stories, but create entire worlds that feel like memories from a dream. I can confidently say that Miyazaki has created some of the most enchanting and emotionally powerful films in animation history.
Watching these films is like being wrapped in warmth and wonder, and their stories will linger in your heart long after the credits have rolled. But among the many masterpieces to come out of Studio Ghibli, there are five films that stand out the most.
Spirited Away
In first place, Spirited Away is pure magic. This film follows a young girl named Chihiro who, while moving to a new town with her parents, stumbles into a strange spirit world. When her parents are transformed into pigs, Chihiro is forced to survive on her own, working at a bathhouse run by a witch to try and save them.
The world of this film is strange and wonderful, full of spirits, gods and magic that never feels random. It’s all so breathtakingly colorful, and it’s the kind of animation where you notice new details every time you watch. The whole film is fun, the type that just makes you forget about all your problems.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
In second place, Kiki’s Delivery Service tells the story of a thirteen-year-old witch who leaves home for the first time to live on her own, as part of her training. She settles into a charming seaside town and starts a delivery business using her broom. But as time passes, Kiki begins to lose her confidence and even her ability to fly.
This is a soft, gentle movie, but it says so much about growing up. It’s a meditation on loneliness, independence, and the quiet struggle of finding your place in life. The town in the film is so lovingly drawn, with winding streets and cozy shops, with the sea always shimmering in the background. It’s like a mix of London and the Italian countryside, and you’ll want to step into the screen and live there.
Howl’s Moving Castle
In third comes Howl’s Moving Castle, which follows Sophie, a quiet hat maker who’s suddenly cursed by a witch and turned into an old woman. Looking for a way to break the spell, she stumbles upon a magical walking castle, owned by the mysterious wizard named Howl. Together, they get swept into a strange world of magic, war and love.
This film is visually stunning, with lush green hills, crumbling towns, floating fortresses and of course, the castle itself, which clanks and huffs across the landscape like a living creature. The story blends magic and reality in a way that feels effortless.
Grave of Fireflies
While these three movies are especially close to me, Studio Ghibli has created so many other films that will leave a deep emotional mark on you. Grave of Fireflies, in particular, is one of the most heartbreaking movies you will ever watch. It follows a young boy and his little sister, as they try to survive in Japan during the final days of World War II.
This movie is quiet, raw and devastating, not just because of what occurs on screen, but because it’s all shown through the eyes of two children who never stop loving each other, even in the darkest moments. Grave of Fireflies is not easy to watch, but it is absolutely unforgettable.
Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke is another powerful story, and it is much more intense than most Ghibli films. It follows Ashitaka, a young warrior caught in a war between a mining town and the gods of the forest. This movie is about balance, nature, anger and healing. The animation is wild and beautiful, with massive wolves, ancient forests and strange creatures, and it pulls you into a world that feels as sacred as it is dangerous.
Some might believe that watching animated films sounds childish, that these are just movies you watch as a kid. But Studio Ghibli films are something you can enjoy at any age. While there are a lot of witches and spiritual beings present in these stories, it doesn’t lessen the emotional impact that they will have on you.
Not to mention, the music featured in Studio Ghibli films is nothing short of perfection. Composed by Joe Hisaishi, the score of each movie elevates every scene, making quiet moments feel intense and magical ones feel like soaring. The musical soundtrack doesn’t just accompany the story; it becomes part of the soul of the film. The music is something that you will carry with you long after the movie has ended.
In the end, the films of Studio Ghibli are more than just children stories—they are experiences that will stay with you forever. With their stunning animation, unforgettable music and heartfelt characters, these movies speak to something deep inside all of us. Whether it’s wonder, sadness, hope or love, Ghibli captures it perfectly, leaving behind a kind of quiet magic that never fades.
