Cover Must-watch Studio Ghibli films
Must-watch Studio Ghibli films
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These Studio Ghibli films have made us laugh, cry, and smile throughout the years
After shaping our childhoods since 1985, Studio Ghibli was recognised at the 77th Cannes Film Festival by receiving an honourary Palme d’Or. “Forty years ago, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and I established Studio Ghibli with the desire to bring high-level, high-quality animation to children and adults of all ages. Today, our films are watched by people all over the world, and many visitors come to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park to experience the world of our films for themselves. We have truly come a long way for Studio Ghibli to become such a big organisation,” says Toshio Suzuki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli.
Fans worldwide are thrilled to see their favourite studio recognised, and we at Tatler want to make sure you get to see some of its timeless classics.
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Howl’s Moving Castle
A timeless classic filled with unforgettable characters, mesmerising visuals, and a striking message of love, courage, and forgiveness, Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) is one of the most iconic films in Studio Ghibli’s collection. It follows Sophie, a young milliner, who meets a wizard named Howl. Their budding relationship catches the attention of a witch who curses Sophie, ageing her. Howl’s Moving Castle is Miyazaki’s anti-war philosophy that was made manifest. In 2003, the director refused to attend the Academy Awards ceremony because he “didn’t want to visit a country that was bombing Iraq.”
Spirited Away
When you think Studio Ghibli, you immediately think of Spirited Away (2001). The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003 and is regarded as the best movie in the studio’s portfolio. Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro, who gets transported to a mysterious land filled with spirits rooted in Japanese folklore. While its visuals scared some of us as children, it filled us with wonder.
My Neighbor Totoro
Easily the most recognisable Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbor Totoro (1988), is nostalgia in a bottle. The adorable raccoon dog-cat spirit, Totoro, became their mascot for a reason. A tale of innocence, childhood, and wonder, the film taught us never to lose our smile. It follows sisters Mei and Satsuki as they move into an old house near the hospital where their mother is confined. They then meet a gentle giant unseen by adults who takes them on a series of gentle adventures to help them cope with their difficult situation. The whimsical imagery and astounding visuals like the soot sprites, catbus, and Totoro himself make this a classic Ghibli film.
Princess Mononoke
One of the films that made Studio Ghibli known to the rest of the world, Princess Mononoke (1997), transports us to the Muromachi period of Japan. The film opens with a battle between Prince Ashitaka and a demon. While the prince manages to defeat his adversary, he sustains a cursed wound that must be cured quickly. He then meets San, a woman raised by wolves who despises humans for damaging the forest and its creatures. What unfolds is a complex story about the imbalance between humans and nature. While it seems like your typical fantasy film, it raises important questions on how we can coexist with a world that’s been around longer than we have.
Grave of the Fireflies
A powerful anti-war movie, Grave of the Fireflies (1988) is Studio Ghibli’s most grounded film. The movie tells the story of siblings Seita and Setsuko attempting to survive in the wake of the bombing of Kobe in the final months of World War II. It’s unapologetically bleak and harrowing, instilling us with the dreadful aftermath of war. While thousands cheered at the end of the Second World War, innocent Japanese citizens struggled to pick up the pieces—facing hunger, disease, and crumbling cities. Talking animals and loveable spirits are absent in this film, showing only the raw reality and cost of conflict.
The Boy and the Heron
Miyazaki’s magnum opus—containing many references to his work over the years and considered the most visually stunning—The Boy and the Heron (2023) is the legendary director’s farewell to 38 years of Studio Ghibli. The film follows Mahito, a 12-year-old boy who moves into a new town after his mother’s death. He then meets a talking heron who tells him his mother is still alive. Mahito then journeys into an abandoned tower, which takes him to another world.
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Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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