Few animation houses are as beloved as the Japanese outfit Studio Ghibli. The company is known for its brilliant films and iconic animations, providing us classics like Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbour Totoro. If you’re a Studio Ghibli superfan who wants to revisit all your favorites, or are a newcomer to the hype and want to learn all about their wonderful films, then read ahead for our guide on how to watch all Studio Ghibli movies in order of release.
How many Studio Ghibli films are there?
24 films have been made by Studio Ghibli. However, their 2017 film The Red Turtle was made in collaboration with numerous other studios (all from France), Ghibli didn’t do any animation work on it directly, and so in some lists it isn’t counted as a film from the famous Japanese company.
However, Ghibli had a huge part to play in the making of the film, it was produced by Ghibli co-founder Suzuki, and it has that beautiful Studio Ghibli blend of heart, vivid animation, and charm that netted it an Academy Award nomination, so we’re counting it.
Where can I stream all Studio Ghibli movies?
The long and short of it is that you can watch most of the Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix, except for The Red Turtle and Grave of the Fireflies. You can learn more about how to stream all Studio Ghibli movies with this handy article.
How to watch all Studio Ghibli movies in order of release
Below is a list of all Studio Ghibli movies, in order of release.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
A young princess named Nausicaä lives in a post-apocalyptic landscape in which much of the world’s ecosystem has been destroyed. The few remaining humans live scattered around the earth in barely hospitable environments that survive within what the remnants of humanity call a “toxic jungle.” However, Nausicaä can communicate with the huge insects that make up the population of the jungle, and under the guidance of an old warrior named Lord Yupa, helps to bring peace and life back to the planet.
Castle in the Sky (1986)
In the late 19th century, orphan Sheeta and her kidnapper Colonel Muska are on their way to a military prison when their plane is boarded by Dola and her gang of air pirates. Sheeta survives the crash and meets a fellow orphan named Pazu. The pair begin traveling together, in the hope of finding the mystical floating city of Laputa, all while Colonel Muska and the pirates follow them, hoping to steal the city’s famous treasures.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
After an American firebombing destroys their city and separates them from their parents, teen Seita and his little sister Setsuko attempt to reunite their family, facing tremendous hardship and loss along the way. Although they have each other, it soon transpires that simply won’t be enough in the face of a hungry war machine.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
When sisters Mei and Satsuki move into a new home with their father so they can be closer to the hospital their sick mother is in, they become friends with a spirit named Totoro, who takes the shape of a giant rabbit. The spirit helps them to deal with their mother’s sickness, and their sense of dislocation after the move.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki is a young witch who leaves home to make her own way in a new town. She uses her ability to fly to start a delivery service and earn money, and hopefully her independence.
Only Yesterday (1991)
A few more adult themes appear in Only Yesterday, which follows Taeko, an unmarried, career-focused woman who travels to the countryside so she can visit her sister’s family during the yearly safflower harvest. While on the train she falls into memories of her childhood and ponders whether or not she really wants to live the life she does.
Porco Rosso (1992)
Porco Rosso takes place in Italy in 1930 when sky pirates are robbing cruise ships sailing the Adriatic. Thankfully, a mysterious former World War I pilot named Porco Rosso, who inexplicably turned into a pig during the war, is willing to help. He soon battles the pirate crew, enlisting the help of a spirited young mechanic named Fio and an old friend named Madame Gina.
Ocean Waves (1993)
Another Ghibli effort that focuses on memory, Ocean Waves follows Taku, a man on his way to his hometown for a high school reunion. During the journey, he remembers being at the school and recounts a love triangle he was in.
Pom Poko (1994)
When the forest home of the tanuki, a race of magical raccoon dogs, is threatened by industrial and commercial buildings, they use their powers and the help of a few human allies to try and save it.
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Based on a best-selling manga, this charming movie focuses on Shizuku, a book lover who notices all of the works she checks out of her local library have been previously borrowed by a boy named Seiji. She goes out in search of him, hoping to find love.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Set in the 14th century, this film follows Ashitaka, a young boy with an infection seeking a cure from the deer-like god Shishigami. On his journey, he sees humans destroying the earth, bringing the ire of Moro the wolf god, and his human companion, the titular Princess Mononoke.
My Neighbours the Yamadas (1999)
This comedy is made up of a series of vignettes about the Yamada family, an average Japanese family. Unlike most other Ghibli films, this is animated like a comic rather than in their distinctive style but retains the charm that we’ve become used to from the studio.
Spirited Away (2001)
Probably the most famous Studio Ghibli film, Spirited Away chronicles the adventures of Chihiro, who takes on a job at a spirit hotel after her parents are turned into pigs by magic. Winner of the Oscar for best-animated feature in 2003.
The Cat Returns (2002)
After Haru rescues a cat from being run over, she discovers the creature is a prince named Lune. She is whisked away to the Cat Kingdom, where she soon develops feline features, and is prevented from leaving. She teams up with two magical statues to help her escape.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Sophie runs afoul of a witch, who turns her into an old woman. She seeks the help of the wizard Howl to return her to her normal state.
Tales from Earthsea (2006)
Adapted from the famous novel series by the legendary Ursula K Le Guin, this film follows a group of magical beings as they seek to restore balance to the earth.
Ponyo (2008)
When a goldfish princess meets a human boy named Sosuke, he gives her the name Ponyo and ignites a desire in her to become human. However, her attempts to change end up with terrible consequences for Sosuke’s village.
The Secret World of Arrietty/Arrietty (2010)
Small teen Arrietty and her parents live secretly in the hidden corners of another’s home, occasionally venturing out for supplies. When she meets the regular-sized Shawn, they bond, but their new friendship could be dangerous for her and her family. Based on The Borrowers.
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
When Umi and Shun become friends, they embark on a mission to clean the school’s clubhouse. However, the chairman of the local school threatens to demolish the building, so they work together to try and save it.
The Wind Rises (2013)
This film is a fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft and the A6M Zero, which were used by the Japanese during the second world war.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
This fairytale-like film follows the life of a nymph who grows into a desirable bride. She orders her wannabe lovers to prove their dedication to her by completing a number of incredibly hard and dangerous tasks.
When Marnie Was There (2014)
A young girl sent away from the city for health reasons befriends the mysterious Marnie, who it transpires might not be a complete stranger.
The Red Turtle (2017)
A shipwrecked man befriends a giant red turtle, who refuses to let him escape from the island he’s marooned on. The turtle soon morphs into a woman, and they begin a life together.
Earwig and the Witch (2020)
An orphan who lives with a self-involved witch learns how to use magic and spells, even though she doesn’t know how to fully control her powers. Computer-animated, but still packed full of Ghibli genius.
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
The working title of this film was How Do You Live a reference to a famous Japanese novel, but the English version is known as The Boy and the Heron. The plot follows a boy living through the Pacific War who loses his mother. While grieving, he stumbles across an abandoned tower that’s a gateway to a magical world, where he becomes involved with a talking grey heron.
