Best Hayao Miyazaki Movies — Celebrating a Life in Animation

Ponyo follows the story of a young fish who escapes from her father’s clutches and transforms into a human. Sound familiar? Ponyo shares more than a few similarities to The Little Mermaid. In fact, the former could even be regarded as a retelling of the latter.

But Ponyo is decidedly sweeter than The Little Mermaid; especially Hans Christian Andersen’s original story. The film’s style is more impressionistic than many of Miyazaki’s other films. Personally, I think the watercolor-styled drawings are less visually appealing than the ultra-detailed drawing of say, Spirited Away, but there’s an argument to be made to the contrary.

Studio Ghibli Movies Ranked

11. Castle in the Sky (1986)

Hayao Miyazaki’s groundbreaking 1986 film Castle in the Sky established the Japanese auteur as one of the world’s premier animated filmmakers. Castle in the Sky follows the story of a boy and girl searching for the lost floating island of Laputa.

Castle is steeped in rich literature history; the island of Laputa is derived from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. But Miyazaki adds emotional resonance to the intriguing setting, thus turning the satire into fantasy.

Best Miyazaki Movies Ranked

10. The Boy and the Heron (2023)

The Boy and the Heron is a film that resonated with many longtime Miyazaki fans. There are familiar themes, such as childlike wonder, a love for aviation, and the need for pacifism in the face of great destruction. However – although it feels sacrilegious to say – Miyazaki’s direction is sometimes errant. 

List of Miyazaki Movies

9. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Howl’s Moving Castle, based on Diana Wynne Jones’s novel of the same name, is an enchanting story of witches, wizards, and the magic that binds them. The film follows a young woman named Sophie who’s turned into an old lady by a curse. To cure herself, she seeks the notorious wizard, Howl, who’s hidden within his moving castle.

The English dub of Howl’s Moving Castle features some great voice performances from Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Billy Crystal, and Lauren Bacall. Despite the astounding visuals, the pacing has issues and the plot seems to meander a bit.

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8. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a dystopian, science-fiction adventure film about a young princess caught in the crossfire of a war between two large nations. If that sounds like a genre-stew, that’s because it is. There’s a lot going on in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, but it never feels like too much to keep track of.

The film was certainly foundational for Miyazaki as it prompted the creation of Studio Ghibli and lifelong partnerships with producer (and legendary writer/director) Isao Takahata and composer Joe Hisaishi.

Miyazaki Films Ranked

7. The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)

The Castle of Cagliostro was released in 1979, five years before the founding of Studio Ghibli, and long before Hayao Miyazaki was a name recognized around the world. But although The Castle of Cagliostro may not be as famous as Miyazaki’s later works, it’s still a great movie. 

The film follows master thief Lupin III; famous in Japan for a manga series of the same name. Miyazaki changed the tone of Lupin III – some fans hated it, others lauded it. The Castle of Cagliostro may not have been the movie all Lupin III fans hoped it would be – but it’s fantastic for outside observers.

Studio Ghibli Movies Ranked

6. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

It’s hard not to love Hayao Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service; the film features a multidimensional protagonist, contains an enticing narrative, and is set in front of a beautiful backdrop. Not to mention that it boasts one of the best opening theme songs in cinema history: Yumi Matsutoya’s Rouge no Dengon.

Kiki’s Delivery Service tells the tale of a young witch who leaves home for a year to hone her craft. Yes, that’s a witch-craft pun. The film is surprisingly “slice of life” for a story about a witch. But it works! Mostly, because its themes are so grounded in feelings of loneliness, sadness, and failure.

Miyazaki Movies Ranking

5. Princess Mononoke (1997)

Best Miyazaki Movies Ranked

4. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

My Neighbor Totoro is perhaps the most iconic of all of Hayao Miyazaki’s films. But that iconic stature somewhat diminishes the depth of Miyazaki’s early classic. My Neighbor Totoro is a mature, yet innocent tale of life and love amidst a magically-realist backdrop.

Miyazaki’s direction deftly straddles the line between fantasy and drama; the animated design of the Totoro “monster” is recognizable around the world; and the music of Joe Hisaishi is playful but profound.

Best Movies of Hayao Miyazaki

3. Porco Rosso (1992)

I don’t know how Porco Rosso — a movie about a bounty hunter/war hero who’s been turned into a pig — was made, but I’m glad that it was. Porco Rosso is both hilarious and endearing; mixing and matching humorous characters with touching moments of sincerity.

It may sound ironic to say, but Porco Rosso is far less fantastical than many of Miyazaki’s other movies. It’s also subtly profound; imparting a mature philosophy on life despite its inane premise.  

All Miyazaki Movies Ranked

2. The Wind Rises (2013)

Hayao Miyazaki’s most contemplative picture, The Wind Rises, also happens to be one of his best. The film follows the life of famed aviation designer Jiro Horikoshi, who’s credited with creating the Mitsubishi A6M “Zero” fighter plane used in World War II.

The animation of The Wind Rises is utterly gorgeous, from color-filled city streets to high-detailed interiors. Miyazaki, a lifelong aviation enthusiast, said he was inspired to make the film after hearing the Horikoshi quote, “all I wanted to do was to make something beautiful.” And that he did – The Wind Rises is undeniably one of the most beautiful animated films ever made.

Hayao Miyazaki Movies Ranked

1. Spirited Away (2001)

The film many consider to be Hayao Miyazaki’s magnum opus, Spirited Away, has received near-endless praise from critics, so I won’t harp on it too much here. But I will say that Spirited Away is one of the most visually and narratively creative films I’ve ever seen. The film runs just north of two hours, but every second feels vivacious.

Spirited Away tells the story of a young girl who finds herself indentured in a realm far away. There, she attempts to reanimate her parents, escape servitude, and save the boy who kept her alive.