All 12 Hayao Miyazaki Movies, Ranked

I did not come to Hayao Miyazaki movies as a kid. I found them much later in life, in college, after I had a roommate obsessed with Studio Ghibli. If you didn't know, Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese animator, manga artist, and director. He's considered a major figure in animation and international filmmaking, and his films are more than just animated features; they're cinematic poems, each a unique exploration of humanity, nature, and the power of imagination.Today, I wanted to go over them and ask my favorites. Let's dive in. 1. Spirited AwayProbably the most famous of his movies, it tells the story of Chihiro, a young girl who enters a spirit world. It's a movie about courage, identity, and wonder. 2. My Neighbor TotoroMy buddy in college was obsessed with this movie and had it on all the time. It's about taming a childhood spirit as your friend. 3. Princess MononokeA picturesque and deep tale about nature and and humanity. It's basically a metaphor for conservation and being good stewards of the earth. 4. The Boy and the HeronA semi-autobiographical movie; I love how much magic we can tell the doctor seeds in the world and how he's able to translate that into an emotional journey for us. 5. Kiki's Delivery ServiceDifferent than the others, this is a coming-of-age story follows Kiki, a young witch who moves to a new city to complete her training. It's more about young adult life and very charming. 6. Howl's Moving CastleIt's one of the more famous titles since the American dub had a ton of stars. It has some of the most stunning cinematography I've seen in an animated movie. 7. Castle in the SKyThis is like another deep anti-war movie that is about the search for a mythical city in the sky. It tells the story of orphans on the run from rogue pirates. 8. Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindAnother look at our complex relationship with the environment and war: this is a post-apocalyptic animated movie that has a character who can talk to giant bugs, which evolved alongside us to survive. 9. The Wind RisesAnother movie here that feels wholly unique is about Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the Mitsubishi A5M and A6M Zero fighter planes which were used in WWII. 10. PonyoMiyazaki's take on The Little Mermaid follows a goldfish boy who wants to escape the sea kingdom of his father and become human. It's pretty weird but also kind of charming. 11.Porco RossoWar is a constant theme in these movies, and this one follows a WWI pilot who is cursed to have the head of a pig. He's now defending a fleet against pirates. 12. Lupin III: The Castle of CagliostroI have not seen this movie, so I put it last. It seems cool, with a casino heist and forgers and lots of other stuff. I will add it to my queue asap. Summing Up All 12 Hayao Miyazaki Movies, RankedMiyazaki is an auteur whose work has spanned a few decades and whose influence has no measure. Making favorites among his films was really hard, and I would encourage everyone to watch as many of them as they can and to form their own lists. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Mar 28, 2025 - 18:36

I did not come to Hayao Miyazaki movies as a kid. I found them much later in life, in college, after I had a roommate obsessed with Studio Ghibli.

If you didn't know, Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese animator, manga artist, and director. He's considered a major figure in animation and international filmmaking, and his films are more than just animated features; they're cinematic poems, each a unique exploration of humanity, nature, and the power of imagination.

Today, I wanted to go over them and ask my favorites.

Let's dive in.

1. Spirited Away

Probably the most famous of his movies, it tells the story of Chihiro, a young girl who enters a spirit world. It's a movie about courage, identity, and wonder.

2. My Neighbor Totoro

My buddy in college was obsessed with this movie and had it on all the time. It's about taming a childhood spirit as your friend.

3. Princess Mononoke

A picturesque and deep tale about nature and and humanity. It's basically a metaphor for conservation and being good stewards of the earth.

4. The Boy and the Heron

A semi-autobiographical movie; I love how much magic we can tell the doctor seeds in the world and how he's able to translate that into an emotional journey for us.

5. Kiki's Delivery Service

Different than the others, this is a coming-of-age story follows Kiki, a young witch who moves to a new city to complete her training. It's more about young adult life and very charming.

6. Howl's Moving Castle

It's one of the more famous titles since the American dub had a ton of stars. It has some of the most stunning cinematography I've seen in an animated movie.

7. Castle in the SKy

This is like another deep anti-war movie that is about the search for a mythical city in the sky. It tells the story of orphans on the run from rogue pirates.

8. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Another look at our complex relationship with the environment and war: this is a post-apocalyptic animated movie that has a character who can talk to giant bugs, which evolved alongside us to survive.

9. The Wind Rises

Another movie here that feels wholly unique is about Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the Mitsubishi A5M and A6M Zero fighter planes which were used in WWII.

10. Ponyo

Miyazaki's take on The Little Mermaid follows a goldfish boy who wants to escape the sea kingdom of his father and become human. It's pretty weird but also kind of charming.

11.Porco Rosso

War is a constant theme in these movies, and this one follows a WWI pilot who is cursed to have the head of a pig. He's now defending a fleet against pirates.

12. Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro

I have not seen this movie, so I put it last. It seems cool, with a casino heist and forgers and lots of other stuff. I will add it to my queue asap.

Summing Up All 12 Hayao Miyazaki Movies, Ranked

Miyazaki is an auteur whose work has spanned a few decades and whose influence has no measure.

Making favorites among his films was really hard, and I would encourage everyone to watch as many of them as they can and to form their own lists.

Let me know what you think in the comments.