Hayao Miyazaki, the mastermind behind Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli, took the world of animated storytelling to new heights with his directorial prowess. No wonder almost every cinephile around the globe is familiar with at least a few of the 22 feature-length Hayao Miyazaki movies produced by Studio Ghibli and wants to watch the titles in the correct order.
Beginning its journey in 1985 with Castle in the Sky, the Koganei-based studio was headed by auteurs Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Named after the Italian word for a hot desert wind, Miyazaki christened the studio Ghibli to signify the new wind of change that was to blow over the industry with his works. True to the prediction, Ghibli films won over anime fans with five movies earning their spots among the top 10 highest-grossing anime feature films made in Japan.
The most prolific director in the studio, Hayao Miyazaki’s unique style garnered immense praise from fans and critics as multiple films bagged prestigious global awards, including the Oscars.
From the whimsical wonders of My Neighbor Tororo and Ponyo to the inspired Spirited Away, each Miyazaki film in Studio Ghibli’s style is a testament to his childlike imaginative vision. After 10 years, the visionary director returned for his supposed swan song, The Boy and the Heron. Keeping the tradition of frame-by-frame hand-drawn animation alive, the film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2024.
The Boy And The Heron has won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature 🌟 Congratulations Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli 👏 #Oscars #oscars2024 pic.twitter.com/PiJstXYo9r
— The Boy And The Heron (@boyheronfilm) March 10, 2024
Since the honour is just one glimpse of Hayao Miyazaki’s celebrated life, a look into his extensive Studio Ghibli portfolio of movies, in order, is necessary to truly appreciate his cinematic treasures.
Here are all of Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli movies, arranged in order of their release date
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind has played an important role in Studio Ghibli’s founding. Even though it had been produced before the studio’s establishment, it is often regarded as a Ghibli movie and is commonly included in the collections of their works. It was the success of this film that is said to have led to the studio’s origin.
The story, set in a post-apocalyptic future, is about a young princess from the Valley of the Wind, named Nausicaä. She is caught up in a conflict with Tolmekia, a kingdom attempting to use an ancient weapon to eliminate a jungle inhabited by enormous mutated insects.
With prominent anti-war themes and an environmental focus, the film was released with a recommendation from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The film shared with audiences one of the first glimpses of Miyazaki’s distinct storytelling style that borrows from science fiction, brought alive by sketches, developmental watercolours, and cel animation.
IMDb score: 8/10
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Castle in the Sky, aka Laputa: Castle in the Sky, marked Miyazaki’s first official film under the Studio Ghibli banner, after its establishment in 1985.
The plot revolves around two orphans Sheeta and Pazu, who are pursued by a government agent Muska, the army and a band of pirates. Their quest centres around Sheeta’s crystal necklace, the key to unlocking Laputa, an extraordinary airborne fortress boasting advanced technology.
With painstaking detailing and world-building, the film advanced Miyazaki’s hand-drawn animation style putting together layers and layers of visuals for each frame. In 1986, the film garnered accolades such as the Animage Anime Grand Prix and the Ōfuji Noburō Award.
IMDb score: 8/10
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
My Neighbor Tororo marks Miyazaki’s second directorial feature under Studio Ghibli, which majorly emphasises themes including animism, Shinto symbolism, environmentalism and the joys of living in a rural setting.
It chronicles the tale of Satsuki and her younger sister, Mei, who move into an old rural house with their father while their mother recovers from an illness in a local hospital. While exploring their new home, the sisters bond with playful spirits in the house and the nearby forest. One of the most notable spirits they befriend is Totoro, a massive and lovable creature.
The film bagged multiple awards including the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize, the Mainichi Film Award and Kinema Junpo Award for Best Film in 1988.
IMDb score: 8.1/10
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono, Kiki’s Delivery Service is Miyazaki’s third directorial film in the Studio Ghibli universe, highlighting themes of independence and coming-of-age. According to the filmmaker, the movie highlights the contrast between independence and reliance experienced by teenage girls in Japan.
In the film, 13-year-old Kiki moves to a coastal town accompanied by her talking cat, Jiji. This move is in line with the tradition of her village, which requires young witches to spend a year alone to hone their skills. After mastering her broomstick, Kiki establishes a flying courier service and quickly becomes an integral part of the community.
However, when her self-doubt starts to creep in, she loses her magical abilities. Now, she must find the strength to overcome her insecurities and regain her powers.
IMDb score: 7.8/10
Porco Rosso (1992)
This fantastically unique animated film is situated in 1930s Italy, where wealthy cruise ships sailing the Adriatic Sea are constantly threatened by sky pirates. The only pilot willing to confront these pirates is Porco Rosso, a skilled flying ace of World War I, who has somehow been transformed into a pig. As Porco Rosso prepares to face off against the pirate crew’s American ace, he seeks assistance from a female mechanic Fio Piccolo and his longtime friend Madame Gina.
Distinguishing itself from American animated films of that era, Porco Rosso etched itself on the minds of its viewers with a character who was quite different from the cliche humour of run-of-the-mill films. The films instead showed Porco as a suave and witty character with a humorous point of view.
It bagged the prestigious Cristal du long métrage (aka Best Feature-length Film award) at the 1993 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
IMDb score: 7.7/10
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Princess Mononoke takes place during the late Muromachi period in Japan and introduces fantastical elements into its story. The animated movie delves into themes centred around Shintoism and environmentalism.
When the harmonious relationship between humans, animals and gods starts deteriorating, Ashitaka becomes infected by an animal attack and seeks a remedy from a god resembling a deer, Shishigami. Throughout his journey, he witnesses humans devastating the land, which angers the wolf god Moro and his human companion Princess Mononoke. Can Ashitaka’s attempts to mediate peace reduce the conflicts?
The moving Miyazaki creation was named the first animated feature film to win the Japan Academy Prize for Best Picture. It was also the Japanese submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for the 70th Academy Awards ceremony but unfortunately, it was not nominated.
IMDb score: 8.3/10
Spirited Away (2001)
An absolute Hayao Miyazaki essential that Studio Ghibli movie fans should watch in order is Spirited Away. It follows the story of a 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino, who stumbles into the realm of kami — the spirits found in Japanese Shinto folklore — while relocating to a new city with her family. After a bizarre incident turns her parents into pigs, Chihiro sets on a journey to set them free and return to the human world. To achieve this, she accepts a job at Yubaba’s bathhouse and goes through various challenges to break the enchantment.
Considered one of the best anime films of all time to grace the silver screen, the Studio Ghibli film went on to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards. Moreover, it is the first and only, hand-drawn and non-English language animated film that won this prestigious award.
IMDb score: 8.6/10
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Howl’s Moving Castle takes place in a make-believe kingdom where a blend of magic and early twentieth-century technology coexists. Set against the backdrop of a war with another kingdom, it follows the journey of a young hatmaker Sophie, who transforms into an elderly woman due to a witch’s curse. Along her adventure, she crosses paths with a wizard named Howl and becomes a part of his resistance against participating in the king’s war effort.
Another Studio Ghibli classic, Howl’s Moving Castle premiered at the 61st Venice International Film Festival and is roughly based on the 1986 novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones. It also received an Oscar nomination in the Best Animated Feature category at the 78th Academy Awards, although it ultimately lost.
IMDb score: 8.2/10
Ponyo (2008)
A princess goldfish goes on a forbidden journey to the surface world where she meets Sosuke, a young boy. Sosuke names her Ponyo and their friendship blossoms as she yearns to become human. However, Ponyo’s father takes her back to their ocean kingdom. Despite this, her desire to live on the surface is so strong that she breaks free, unintentionally unleashing magical elixirs that put Sosuke’s village in danger.
Ponyo is the eighth film directed by Miyazaki for Studio Ghibli. It was an official entry in the 65th Venice International Film Festival and received a special mention at the Bologna Future Film Festival. In 2009, it won five awards at the 8th Tokyo Anime Awards, including Anime of the Year and Best Domestic Feature. The film also won the Animation of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Music awards at the 32nd Japan Academy Prize.
IMDb score: 7.6/10
The Wind Rises (2013)
The Wind Rises tells the fictionalised story of Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the fighter aircrafts Mitsubishi A5M and the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Jiro Horikoshi diligently pursues his dream of becoming an aeronautical engineer. As World War II begins, the Japanese Empire starts using those two fighter aircraft, the engineer had designed against its enemies.
The film received nominations for several awards, including Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globe Awards and Animation of the Year at the Japan Academy Prize, winning the latter.
IMDb score: 7.8/10
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
The Boy and the Heron, the latest Miyazaki film to grace the screens, is dubbed the most expensive film in Japan. 12-year-old Mahito is adjusting to a new town following the loss of his mother when a talking heron reveals to him that his mother is alive. Determined to find her, he ventures into an abandoned tower, transporting him to an entirely different realm.
This film has received widespread recognition and praise, earning prestigious awards such as the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film, the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film and the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
IMDb score: 7.6/10
Hero and Feature Images: Courtesy IMDb
This story first appeared here.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which Studio Ghibli movie was released first?
Castle in the Sky is the first official Studio Ghibli film released in 1986.
– What is the timeline of Studio Ghibli movies?
The timeline of Hayao Miyaxaki’s Studio Ghibli movies is as follows: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Tororo, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, The Wind Rises and The Boy and the Heron.
– Which Studio Ghibli movie should be watched first?
While they are not bound by an overarching storyline, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Tororo, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Porco Rosso are some Studio Ghibli movies by Hayao Miyazaki that you should watch first in order to get a taste of the animation studio’s fantastical universe.
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