First up: Howl's Moving Castle from 2004. The story follows a young woman named Sophie, who is transformed into an elderly woman by a witch's curse (and if that isn't something we can't relate with, I don't know what is – I, too, feel like a grandma at times). In search of a cure, Sophie encounters a mysterious, moving castle belonging to the wizard Howl. As she becomes involved in the castle's affairs, she discovers the complexities of love, friendship, and the consequences of war.
Did you know Howl's Moving Castle is based off of a British book series? | © Studio Ghibli
Let's stay with the castles a little bit, yeah? Castle in the Sky is one of Studio Ghibli's earliest movies and was released back in 1986. Despite being nearly forty years old, it still holds up amazingly well!
Sheeta possesses a mysterious crystal pendant that holds the key to finding the legendary floating castle of Laputa. Pursued by government agents and air pirates, Sheeta crosses paths with a young boy named Pazu, who dreams of finding Laputa, the mythical city his father had spoken of. Together, Sheeta and Pazu embark on an adventure filled with airships, robots, newfound friendship and ancient civilizations. A beloved classic! | © Studio Ghibli
Also pretty old (1988), but one hell of a nostalgic and heart-warming movie: My Neighbor Totoro.
The story revolves around two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their mother, who is recovering from an illness in a nearby hospital. As they explore their new surroundings, they encounter playful forest spirits and, of course, Totoro. Totoro helps them deal with the cards life has dealt them in his own unique way. | © Studio Ghibli
In the early 2000s, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli graced the world with Spirited Away. The movie tells the story of Chihiro who stumbles into a magical world by mistake. In an effort to not only get back to reality, but also to save her parents, she meets an array of unique characters – some unsettling, some undeniably cute. Among them is Haku who tries his best to get her back to her own world.
I'm not going to lie, Chihiro's early days in the bathhouse are my Roman Empire. | © Studio Ghibli
This isn't just one of the best Studio Ghibli movies, this is one of the best movies in general. We're talking of course about Princess Mononoke from 1997, which has a special place in my heart, and I will fight anyone who says anything bad about this absolute masterpiece.
Ashitaka gets cursed while protecting his village from a furious demon and sets off on a journey to search not only for a cure, but for answers. On his quest, he gets entangled in the war between the Iron Town and the spirits of the forest. He meets San, a vengeful girl raised by wolves and, in my humble opinion, one of the best characters to ever exist.
If you haven't seen the movie, I beg you to do so. If you've already seen it, I beg you to rewatch it. Just 'cause. | © Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli is absolutely beloved by many, and for good reason. Those movies hit the sweet spot of having light-hearted fun and, at times, absolutely devastating themes. Pair that with the amazing animation style and the iconic look the movies share, and you've got some of the best movies of all time!
We've picked our Top 5 Studio Ghibli movies. Do you agree with our ranking?
