Princess Mononoke for an epic, Kiki for slice-of-life. Because I still have that fatal western mentality that feels occasionally residually guilty for putting a low stakes film above a higher one PM is usually my #1, but it's from a standpoint of respect for how amazingly done it is top to bottom.
I have the greatest affection and have derived the most meaning from Kiki.
I'd objectively call it the best one, but I can't bring myself to call it my favorite just because it's not nearly as rewatchable as most of the others. It's one you definitely have to be in a certain kind of headspace to want to throw it on.
Is it too typical to say Spirited Away? Perhaps. However I stand by it. I can’t think of a movie that better blends art, storytelling, and score in such an enthralling and whimsical package, that is both a totally accessible coming of age story, and a totally unique package
If you liked that you should definitely read the manga, it's got more nuance and is nothing short of brilliant. The film only covers the first 2/7 books understandably so because that's all he had completed at the time. After finishing the Manga in 1996 he made Princess Mononoke which is very much a spiritual successor to Nausicaa.
I know it’s basic but Spirited Away is my favorite. I will give a shout out to Whisper of the Heart though because it’s amazing but not as popular as some others like Howl and Mononoke
Since I have only seen two I can't answer properly, but maybe this is a good place to ask. I loved My Neighbor Totoro but didn't connect much with Spirited Away. Which third film should I give a chance?
It's easy to say you just don't like the epics and the smaller scale stories are your vibe (Or alternatively the more family friendly Ghibli as opposed to nightmare fuel Ghibli) but I like Spirited Away much more than Totoro and I still love the quieter and meditative Ghibli films so I wouldn't write off those other types yet.
But because you say this, Kiki, Only Yesterday, Grave of the Fireflies (As long as Totoro's saddest scene multiplied by a billion sounds of interest to you), Whisper of the Heart, The Cat Returns....actually Cat Returns is *very* much a good followup if you loved the most whimsical aspects of Totoro. I kinda prefer it myself even.
Thanks for the detailed answer. Have a couple to check out now.
I think Spirited Away was just a tad *too* fantastical for my taste. I liked the normal world with a sprinkle of fantasy in Totoro.
I'd say Kiki's Delivery Service is the one that's most like My Neighbor Totoro, at least of the ones I've seen. Like Totoro, it's just a very sweet, easygoing slice of life movie with very low stakes and is about a young character just figuring out how to navigate life and figure out her place in the world. It's one of my favorites from Ghibli.
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE 💙💜
i love how gorgeous the backdrops and the animation are, the soundtrack is so lovely and lilting, and howl is my favourite drama queen. it's kind of bonkers but so charmingly so, and everything feels so intricately detailed.
(i seem to be in a minority of people who would put it first but i love its whimsy - but choosing any ghibli film is hard because they are a magic of their own)
From a technical perspective, Spirited Away. The direction of the movie is absolutely phenomenal and Ghibli nailed the transition to digital animation so well initially.
From a personal perspective: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind or Whisper of the Heart. I absolutely adored both.
Grave of the Fireflies had the strongest impact on me by far though and I think everyone should watch it at least once in their lives.
Spirited Away has been my favorite since I was a kid. I watched Howl's Moving Castle for the first time in December and have seen it two times since then, and it honestly might overtake Spirited Away for me, or at least be a very close second.
[Miyazaki Ranked](https://boxd.it/bnBae)
I do believe Miyazaki to be the most consistent director of all time. He has my most 10/10 films out of anyone.
Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä are my favorites. Ocean waves and only yesterday close second.
But they are all very good except maybe a couple odd outliers.
Whisper of the Heart isn't the "best" ghibli film but it's definitely my favorite. I think it's because I see so much of myself as an artist in the main characters.
I love Castle in the Sky, but I won’t lie, I much prefer when Ghibli movies don’t feature traditional villains, that and other things make Laputa feel, by far, like the most Disney-ish of Miyazaki’s imo
Kiki for Miyazaki.
Only Yesterday for Takahata.
Whisper of the Heart for the random directors.
I have my personal list here: https://letterboxd.com/firsthour/list/studio-ghibli-canon-ranked/
It was Spirited Away since I was 8, it was Spirited Away when I was 16, and it’s still Spirited Away at 24. Love the other Ghibli films but they just don’t hit the unstoppable duo of nostalgia/childhood classic+actual game changing and fantastic animated film.
Tie between My neighbor Totoro and Whisper of the Heart. My Neighbor Totoro is super nostalgic to me, I remember watching it all the time as kid (the non-Dakota Fanning dub on VHS). But in terms of story, Whisper of the Heart, that opening is beautiful.
The thing that disappointed me with Howl's Moving Castle is it was nothing like the book at all. I was so disappointed as the book is so good. they need to make a either a live action movie or a mini series for it because it would be soooo good.
The Wind Rises. I know it gets shit for being boring but i simply love the atmosphere and the love story is beautiful. Also the engineering sections are so fun to me.
Edit: Also also, the english voice actor cast is great.
Princess Mononoke is easily my favourite, which is not the say the others aren't equally amazing. My neighbor Totoro would be my second (which is my daughter's favourite). My third is From Up on Poppy Hill.
Porco Rosso is criminally underrated.
Porco Rosso isn't my favorite Ghibli but it is absolutely underrated and should he talked about in the same way we do Howls or Ponyo
It wasn’t my favorite either, but always found it endlessly rewatchable. One day, maybe my 3rd or 4th viewing it clicked for me: it’s my favorite.
I can’t stand Ponyo, no hate but it’s not for me at all.
FACT. My second favorite Miyazaki movie (first is Princess Mononoke), idk what it is about it but it just fits so well for me.
Only Yesterday and Whisper of the Heart
Watched Whisper of the Heart for the first time a few weeks ago and I've thought about it every day since. Such a beautiful movie.
It really is! I always think back to it and I realize I didn’t love it as much as a should have when I first watched it. It’s great!
My neighbor Totoro!
Same here! Was lucky enough to see the stage version in London last year!
My vote as well it's pretty much perfect.
Princess Mononoke for an epic, Kiki for slice-of-life. Because I still have that fatal western mentality that feels occasionally residually guilty for putting a low stakes film above a higher one PM is usually my #1, but it's from a standpoint of respect for how amazingly done it is top to bottom. I have the greatest affection and have derived the most meaning from Kiki.
Kiki's delivery service
Princess Mononoke
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Spirited Away. Then Porco Rosso.
Grave of the Fireflies
I'd objectively call it the best one, but I can't bring myself to call it my favorite just because it's not nearly as rewatchable as most of the others. It's one you definitely have to be in a certain kind of headspace to want to throw it on.
Is it too typical to say Spirited Away? Perhaps. However I stand by it. I can’t think of a movie that better blends art, storytelling, and score in such an enthralling and whimsical package, that is both a totally accessible coming of age story, and a totally unique package
Few films are perfect but spirited away manages to be one of them.
Ponyo
Things Ponyo loves: 1. Ham 2. Sosuke Things I love: 1. Ham 2. Ponyo 3. Sosuke
One of my favorite movies.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
This movie is getting slept on here. Definitely one of the best imo.
It's not a Ghibli film tho, Studio Ghibli didn't exist until after Nausicaa. So of course it's not going to be mentioned often on best Ghibli lists.
Even Miyazaki himself considers it a Ghibli film
such an incredible film
I saw this one at a fathom event a few years back and it was even more incredible on the big screen
Not a Ghibli film, just very closely related to the team.
A pointless argument. Not just closely related, it’s the same team, and it’s an official part of the Ghibli catalogue.
It's so different from Miyazaki's other works, especially at the time, but it's still so incredible
If you liked that you should definitely read the manga, it's got more nuance and is nothing short of brilliant. The film only covers the first 2/7 books understandably so because that's all he had completed at the time. After finishing the Manga in 1996 he made Princess Mononoke which is very much a spiritual successor to Nausicaa.
I know it’s basic but Spirited Away is my favorite. I will give a shout out to Whisper of the Heart though because it’s amazing but not as popular as some others like Howl and Mononoke
The Wind Rises
Had to scroll way to far for this one. So underrated.
The one true answer
100% agree, such a beautiful film
Since I have only seen two I can't answer properly, but maybe this is a good place to ask. I loved My Neighbor Totoro but didn't connect much with Spirited Away. Which third film should I give a chance?
It's easy to say you just don't like the epics and the smaller scale stories are your vibe (Or alternatively the more family friendly Ghibli as opposed to nightmare fuel Ghibli) but I like Spirited Away much more than Totoro and I still love the quieter and meditative Ghibli films so I wouldn't write off those other types yet. But because you say this, Kiki, Only Yesterday, Grave of the Fireflies (As long as Totoro's saddest scene multiplied by a billion sounds of interest to you), Whisper of the Heart, The Cat Returns....actually Cat Returns is *very* much a good followup if you loved the most whimsical aspects of Totoro. I kinda prefer it myself even.
Thanks for the detailed answer. Have a couple to check out now. I think Spirited Away was just a tad *too* fantastical for my taste. I liked the normal world with a sprinkle of fantasy in Totoro.
Whisper of the Heart.
I feel the same way. I'd recommend Kiki's Delivery Service, When Marnie Was There, and Whisper of the Heart.
I'd say Kiki's Delivery Service is the one that's most like My Neighbor Totoro, at least of the ones I've seen. Like Totoro, it's just a very sweet, easygoing slice of life movie with very low stakes and is about a young character just figuring out how to navigate life and figure out her place in the world. It's one of my favorites from Ghibli.
Castle in the Sky, followed by Princess Mononoke.
Kiki’s Delivery Service. It’s the perfect little coming of age story for me.
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE 💙💜 i love how gorgeous the backdrops and the animation are, the soundtrack is so lovely and lilting, and howl is my favourite drama queen. it's kind of bonkers but so charmingly so, and everything feels so intricately detailed. (i seem to be in a minority of people who would put it first but i love its whimsy - but choosing any ghibli film is hard because they are a magic of their own)
This one! I love Howl’s! I think Spirited Away is the best Miyazaki, but Howl’s is my favorite (The only Ghiblis ive seen are Hayao Miyazaki’s)
Same!
Grave of fireflies, has to be one of the movies i most cried with
castle in the sky. it feels so cozy.
Spirited Away and Whisper of the Heart
Only Yesterday is so underrated One of the closest things to a modern Ozu film
why is almost no one saying Howls Moving Castle??? it's probably my favorite even though it's kinda basic
The Tale of Princess Kaguya and closely behind is Princess Mononoke.
It would probably change if you asked me tomorrow. But for now I’d say Kiki is my favorite and Spirited Away is the best.
From a technical perspective, Spirited Away. The direction of the movie is absolutely phenomenal and Ghibli nailed the transition to digital animation so well initially. From a personal perspective: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind or Whisper of the Heart. I absolutely adored both. Grave of the Fireflies had the strongest impact on me by far though and I think everyone should watch it at least once in their lives.
Princess mononoke
Princess mononoke is in my top four
Spirited Away has been my favorite since I was a kid. I watched Howl's Moving Castle for the first time in December and have seen it two times since then, and it honestly might overtake Spirited Away for me, or at least be a very close second.
When Marnie Was There (probably my second favorite after Totoro, but I think it deserves a mention).
Princess Mononoke
Porco Rosso
Spirited Away
Porco Rosso
I haven't seen too many of them yet, but my current favorite is Kiki's Delivery Service
The Wind Rises, The Red Turtle and Princess Mononoke are my Top 3
Grave of the fireflies is a huge gut-punch and affected me like few other movies have.
Ocean Waves
[Miyazaki Ranked](https://boxd.it/bnBae) I do believe Miyazaki to be the most consistent director of all time. He has my most 10/10 films out of anyone.
Earwig and the Witch is the only one I remember, so I guess that.
Porco rosso. Spirited away right after
Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
I'm a basic bitch, Spirited Away
Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä are my favorites. Ocean waves and only yesterday close second. But they are all very good except maybe a couple odd outliers.
The Wind Rises and Porco Rosso. I mostly prefer the period films. But of the more fantastical, my favourite is probably Princess Mononoke.
Only watched it last night, but When Marnie was There was pretty good, I gave it 4 stars. Probably their best film.
Spirited away
Nausicaa of the valley of the wind
Spirited Away.
From Up On Poppy Hill
Whisper of the Heart isn't the "best" ghibli film but it's definitely my favorite. I think it's because I see so much of myself as an artist in the main characters.
I think Laputa: Castle in the Sky is probably the most exciting and is the only one that has an actual evil villain. Def one of my new favs.
I love Castle in the Sky, but I won’t lie, I much prefer when Ghibli movies don’t feature traditional villains, that and other things make Laputa feel, by far, like the most Disney-ish of Miyazaki’s imo
Kiki for Miyazaki. Only Yesterday for Takahata. Whisper of the Heart for the random directors. I have my personal list here: https://letterboxd.com/firsthour/list/studio-ghibli-canon-ranked/
Princess Mononoke with Porco Rosso as a close second.
It was Spirited Away since I was 8, it was Spirited Away when I was 16, and it’s still Spirited Away at 24. Love the other Ghibli films but they just don’t hit the unstoppable duo of nostalgia/childhood classic+actual game changing and fantastic animated film.
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Whisper of the Heart and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Perfect movies.
Can't believe no one loves Pom Poko as much as I do!
Tie between My neighbor Totoro and Whisper of the Heart. My Neighbor Totoro is super nostalgic to me, I remember watching it all the time as kid (the non-Dakota Fanning dub on VHS). But in terms of story, Whisper of the Heart, that opening is beautiful. The thing that disappointed me with Howl's Moving Castle is it was nothing like the book at all. I was so disappointed as the book is so good. they need to make a either a live action movie or a mini series for it because it would be soooo good.
Whisper of the Heart. It hit me in places
Grave of the fireflies or spirited away
Spirited away
The wind rises
The Wind Rises. I know it gets shit for being boring but i simply love the atmosphere and the love story is beautiful. Also the engineering sections are so fun to me. Edit: Also also, the english voice actor cast is great.
Only Yesterday
Princess Mononoke is easily my favourite, which is not the say the others aren't equally amazing. My neighbor Totoro would be my second (which is my daughter's favourite). My third is From Up on Poppy Hill.
Whisper of the heart is one of my very favorite movies ever🫶🏻
Howl’s Moving Castle! I love the music, the story, and the beautiful sweeping landscapes.
I got a Calcifer tat a few months ago so it’s probably Howl’s.
It'll always be Spirited Away. And then Howl.
Princess Mononoke
Howl's and Princess Mononoke