The world of animation in film is a vast and endless realm, where boundaries are tested and lines are redefined. As much as we appreciate the art that goes into live-action movies, there is something about animated movies that bring out the magic of film in new, refreshing, and creative ways. When we think about animated movies that are must-watches, nothing stands quite as tall as Studio Ghibli.
We understand that Disney and Pixar own a huge part of the animation space. However, Studio Ghibli has constructed stories, characters, and worlds that stand the test of time and remain some of the best films ever to be released. From Princess Mononoke to Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli is in a category all on its own. What makes a film great is always up to interpretation. However, an excellent score from critics is always a good sign. Here is a list of best Studio Ghibli films, ranked based on their Rotten Tomatoes score.
11 Princess Mononoke — 93%
Toho
To kick off this list, Princess Mononoke has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. This film is a fantasy adventure that showcases some amazing storytelling. Audiences follows young Ashitaka, who goes to the gods to find a cure for his world. The balance in the relationship between animals and humans is crumbling, and Ashitaka encounters an angry wolf-god and its companion, Princess Mononoke.
10 Whisper of the Heart — 94%
Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli has a reputation for incredibly wholesome coming-of-age fantasy films. However, let’s dive all the way into some romance. 1994’s Whisper of the Heart has a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. This romance drama is based on a Manga and follows a young reader and aspiring writer as she begins to build her career when she decides to go on the search for her soulmate: the boy who had previously borrowed all of her favorite books from the library.
9 The Secret World of Arrietty — 94%
The Secret World of Arrietty, released in 2010 and as Arrietty the Borrower in Japan, is one of the newer films on this list. With a Rotten Tomatoes Score of 94%, this film is one to watch. Arrietty is part of a group of small and tiny humans who are living in the nooks and crannies of their hosts’ homes, occasionally leaving to take what they need to survive. However, all the structure they build is put at risk when she meets and befriends a 12-year-old boy named Shawn.
8 Porco Rosso — 95%
1992’s Porco Rosso is not the most well-known Studio Ghibli movie out there. However, do not even think about sleeping on this film. Although Ghibli is mainly known for other titles like My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service, this film still has an incredible 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Imagine sky pirates attacking cruise ships for a second. In a world taking place in Italy in the 1930s, Porco Rosso is the man for the job. He has previous experience as a flyer in WWI and has somehow turned into a pig during the war. Yes, you read that right.
7 My Neighbor Totoro — 95%
Even if you don’t know a single detail about Studio Ghibli, chances are you recognize Totoro. My Neighbor Totoro has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 95%. Marketability is huge for films, and Studio Ghibli knew exactly what they were doing with this big cuddly creature. The film itself follows the lives and minds of Satsuke and her younger sister Mei. As the girls try to settle into their new lives, they begin to form relationships with the house’s spirits and the giant creature we have all grown to love, Totoro.
6 Castle in the Sky — 96%
Wholesome to its very core, 1986’s Castle in the Sky sports a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. This film has the Studio Ghibli formula of seamlessly mixing fantasy elements with a whimsical child-like feel that appeals to more than a young demographic. This movie and its stunning animation follows Sheeta, who quite literally falls into the arms of another young orphan named Pazu. The two get thrown into a whirlwind adventure to discover and protect the mystical floating city of Laputa from those trying to steal the treasure it holds.
5 Spirited Away — 97%
Spirited Away is one of, if not, the most talked about and recognizable Studio Ghibli film to date. It came out in 2001 and currently sports an incredible 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. The storyline of this one is interesting, to say the least. 10-year-old Chihiro’s world gets turned inside out when her parents turn into pigs after coming across an abandoned amusement park. After meeting Haku and finding out that the park is a getaway for bored spirits, she is tasked with freeing herself and her parents.
4 Kiki’s Delivery Service — 98%
Toei Company
1989 gave us Kiki’s Delivery Service. This movie scored an impressive 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is one of the most mainstream marketed and advertised movies from Studio Ghibli. The movie itself as a brand makes it a fitting entry this high up on the list. The coming of age story revolves around a young Kiki and her talking cat Jiji. The two are partners in crime and when Kiki, a little witch in training, take up the job as a courier, they seem unstoppable. Of course, insecurity and doubt begin to chip away at Kiki’s confidence in herself, and she is forced to reconnect and find her powers within herself.
3 Only Yesterday — 100%
100% on Rotten Tomatoes? A movie like 1991’s Only Yesterday would do it. Conflicting feelings surrounding nostalgia are rarely executed in films. Only Yesterday beautifully captures what it is like to reflect upon your youth, whether it be from amusement, fondness, or even longing and regret. In this film, we follow Taeko Okajima as she recalls moments from her young life, and reevaluates her current life and if she actually happy where she is.
2 The Tale of the Princess Kaguya — 100%
Now, if we are going to be this high up on the list, the Ghibli films are bound to be next level. 2013’s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is definitely a stand-out coming from this studio. With an impressive 100% on the Tomatometer, this movie has all the right elements to immerse you into a good story and win you over with its unique animation style. The film falls under historical fantasy and, like many on this list, reflects on life and humanity in ways that touch a broad audience.
1 Grave of the Fireflies — 100%
This one has to be #1. Having a Rotten Tomatoes score of 100%, Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most known and beloved movies in this entire universe of cinema. Studio Ghibli is an expert at making audiences cry. Well, this one does just that, and then some. When this film came out in 1988, audiences were introduced to the lives of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, who is left to his care when they are separated from their parents. This gut-wrenching film digs deep into the harsh realities of a world at war and how that takes a devastating toll on the human spirit. If none of the movies above had you reaching for your tissues, this one is sure to wreck your soul.
