Amid the stress of college life, finding time to unwind and engage with high-quality media is as important as ever. With Studio Ghibli’s popularity and accessibility through Vanderbilt’s Max subscription, it is an excellent idea to finally watch those films on your watchlist. Still, with nearly 30 films in their repertoire, it can be overwhelming to choose one. After watching every Ghibli film, I found that many of them deserved a nearly perfect score. So, here is that list — summarizing why they are worth your time in only two sentences.
“Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” (1984)
This post-apocalyptic masterpiece focuses on the importance of environmentalism and disapproves of war as it distracts from more important issues, such as pollution, in the world. “Nausicaä” is one of the most visually creative films that Ghibli ever produced and hosts one of the most enjoyable protagonists in the entire roster: the smart and kind Nausicaä herself.
“Castle in the Sky” (1986)
“Castle in the Sky” is my favorite Ghibli film, with it also doubling as Ghibli’s first true feature film. This one has it all: intelligent protagonists, beautifully creative scenery, the best soundtrack of any Ghibli film and a compelling plot that leaves you on the edge of your seat — featuring a mysterious girl and an even more mysterious floating acropolis.
“My Neighbor Totoro” (1988)
“My Neighbor Totoro” is a nature-driven story about the mysticism of childhood shown through the forest spirit, Totoro. With an excellent soundtrack and whimsical characters, this is a timeless classic and worth its reputation as one of Ghibli’s most iconic films.
“Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989)
“Kiki’s Delivery Service” is a childlike commentary on the struggles of finding your place in the world, as the young witch Kiki sets off to find her talents. Kiki is an incredibly sweet and funny protagonist, living in a beautifully written world narrated with the gorgeous soundtracks that Ghibli is known for.
“Porco Rosso” (1992)
Though much less serious than some of its counterparts, “Porco Rosso” is a lighthearted film set in fascist Italy depicting a disgraced famous pilot. He befriends a young girl, Fio, who takes a feminist role in the film and holds her ground in a man’s world.
“Princess Mononoke” (1997)
“Princess Mononoke” is a mature film about environmental conservation and the horrors of war, often considered to be a sister film to “Nausicaä,” though “Mononoke” is much more graphic and realistic. While “Mononoke” is not intended for children and has a rare-to-Ghibli PG-13 rating, the film boasts some of the most beautiful scenery and likable, dynamic characters of any Ghibli film.
“Spirited Away” (2001)
Often considered the quintessential Ghibli film, “Spirited Away” chronicles a young girl trying to save her parents in a strange world surrounded by monsters. Like many other Ghibli films, this movie has a moving soundtrack and a unique plot with visually interesting characters across the board.
“Howl’s Moving Castle” (2004)
“Howl’s Moving Castle” is a visually stunning, anachronistic story of true love with an anti-war commentary, told through the eyes of a young woman cursed to be old. With a vast array of diverse characters and a stellar soundtrack, this is an enchanting film that is enrapturing on every re-watch.
“From Up On Poppy Hill” (2011)
A rare perfect score from a director other than the founders of Ghibli, “From Up On Poppy Hill” depicts a lighthearted love story between two students who both lost their fathers to seafaring accidents. As they fall in love, they work together with other students to restore a historical campus building to its former glory to prevent its demolition.
“The Wind Rises” (2013)
A beautiful love story with a background in aviation, “The Wind Rises” is a bright film chronicling a savant-like airplane engineer who travels the world in search of inspiration for his planes. Both tragic and inspiring, this film brought me to tears more than once.
“The Tale of Princess Kaguya” (2013)
In a watercolor art style that stands out from its peers, “The Tale of Princess Kaguya” shows a young, mystical girl falling in love with the world she lives in. This film is beautiful and moving, evoking a feeling of nostalgia in its audience that is hard to replicate.
“The Red Turtle” (2017)
Though generally not considered a mainline Ghibli film, Studio Ghibli’s touch on “The Red Turtle” is palpable. This dialogue-free film chronicles a man stuck on a deserted island and comments on how important it is to make the most of life — no matter how dismal things seem.
“The Boy and the Heron” (2023)
Ghibli’s newest film, “The Boy and the Heron,” masterfully combines the classic art styles of the past and the computer-based styles of the present to create a one-of-a-kind, beautiful work of cinema. As a young boy searches for his lost stepmother, he faces many alternate realities and the opportunity to become far more than he ever imagined.
