Summary
Hayao Miyazaki has long been held up as a legendary figure both in the realm of Japanese animation and throughout global cinema as a whole. His works – spanning a staggering five decades – have inspired generations of viewers with their tales of love and loss, joy and heartbreak, and above all, magic.
So much of Studio Ghibli’s global success is thanks to the endlessly imaginative mind of this singular filmmaker. And while Miyazaki’s filmography may only span twelve feature films, they each earn their place in the annals of anime glory.
12Porco Rosso
Proof That Pigs Can Fly
To start with, it’s important to note that there is no such thing as a bad – or even mediocre – Hayao Miyazaki movie. Porco Rosso simply lacks some of the same cultural cut-through as his other works, but that in no way means it isn’t worth watching.
The story of an Italian pilot who has been transformed into a pig may seem to feature many of Miyazaki’s favourite touchstones – namely, his deep fascination with flight and having his main characters drastically change their appearance – but Porco Rosso actually plays it rather straight compared to some of his more fantastical stories. Its more grounded storytelling can be a refreshing change of pace when compared to many of Miyazaki’s other films.
11Ponyo
Under The Sea
Ponyo has long been a divisive entry in Hayao Miyazaki’s filmography. Some viewers find its story and characters to lean a bit too heavily towards a younger audience, while others really embraced its breezier tone and uplifting message.
Despite these split opinions, Ponyo still earns its place alongside other Miyazaki films thanks to striking visual direction and the adorable chemistry between the lead characters. If nothing else, Ponyo introduced a whole new generation of viewers to the wonder and magic of Studio Ghibli, and that’s worth celebrating.
10The Wind Rises
The Magic And Madness Of Creation
For a long time, The Wind Rises was Hayao Miyazaki’s swan song – the final instalment in an illustrious career. While he did eventually return to the director’s chair, this bittersweet biopic of Jiro Horikoshi feels like a fitting examination of Miyazaki’s own life as a creator.
The fantastical elements of The Wind Rises are all presented in the abstract as Miyazaki is largely content with the exceptional tale of this exceptional inventor speaking for itself. Crucially, the film doesn’t shy away from the devastation caused by many of Horikoshi’s planes, even if it juxtaposes such tragic consequences with the relative purity of a creative soul chasing their dreams.
9My Neighbour Totoro
The Birth Of An Icon
If this was a ranking of Hayao Miyazaki’s most iconic films, there’d be no question that My Neighbour Totoro would be at number one. And while Miyazaki has created more layered works before and after this film, it’s hard to argue that its global recognition isn’t well deserved.
The story of two sisters discovering a family of magical creatures in a nearby forest is as timeless as they come. The film is packed full of moments and experiences that have effortlessly woven their way into the mainstream cultural consciousness, meaning if there is one thing you know about Hayao Miyazaki, it’s probably from My Neighbour Totoro.
8Howl’s Moving Castle
Cinema’s Greatest Mobile Home
Howl’s Moving Castle was an adaptation of the classic young adult fantasy novel of the same name, but this film has Miyazaki’s signature touches all over it. From the sweeping vistas to the strong anti-war commentary, most people would now associate the words “Howl’s Moving Castle” with this film, and not the original novel.
At its heart though, this film is atimeless romance animeabout an endlessly charming yet deeply troubled wizard falling in love with a young woman who has been cursed with an elderly appearance. The chemistry between Howl and Sophie is bolstered by one of the greatest supporting casts in any Ghibli movie (we’re looking at you, Calcifer), resulting in one of the studio’s most widely recognised and popular works.
7Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro
A Heist For The Ages
Before Studio Ghibli and all the global acclaim and being recognised as a master of anime cinema, Hayao Miyazaki was given the director’s duty for a film in the Lupin III franchise. And while The Castle of Cagliostro didn’t make much of an impact on its launch, the film has since been re-evaluated for the masterpiece it truly is.
The Castle of Caliostro is as close to a perfect adventure heist film as you can get. Even with his first feature film, Miyazaki already proved his talent for timeless storytelling and immersing viewers in worlds that are simultaneously dangerous and whimsical.
6Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind
Reaching New Heights
While technically not a Studio Ghibli movie, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind nonetheless saw the coming together of some of Japan’s most creative minds in the anime industry. With Hayao Miyazaki directing, Isao Takahata producing, and Joe Hisaishi composing, you could not ask for a better dream team to adapt Miyazaki’s epic fantasy/sci-fi manga.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind manages to convey a strong environmental message without sacrificing time for developing an interesting world and characters. It showcases Miyazaki’s masterful control of animation and storytelling and continues to inspire generations of anime lovers.
5The Boy And The Heron
A Touching Epilogue To An Epic Career
The Boy and the Heron is one of Miyazaki’s more reflective films, positioned as what will (most likely) be the final feature he ever directs. The film is about a young boy who overcomes his childhood trauma by visiting a fantastical land in the Japanese countryside.
While this plot description has shades of Spirited Away to it, The Boy and the Heron eschews the whimsical for the melancholic. While there are magical sights and sounds in the film, Miyazaki intentionally frames them through the eyes of a creator who wants you to see how beauty and heartbreak often exist side by side.
4Princess Mononoke
An Epic Tale Of Gods And Men
Princess Mononoke isn’t just considered to be one of Hayao Miyazaki’s best works but is often namedone of the greatest anime films of all time. This is one of Miyazaki’s most ambitious films, telling the tale of a young prince who gets caught up in the great conflict between a town of humans and a pack of wolves led by the goddess Moro.
Princess Mononoke effectively tells this story from both sides, exploring the shades of grey that lie at the heart of this divide. With thrilling action sequences and gorgeous animation – particularly, any of the forest scenes – Princess Mononoke has long been one of Miyazaki’s most lauded works.
3Kiki’s Delivery Service
A Bewitching Good Time
One of Hayao Miyazaki’s strengths as a storyteller is his ability to extract the most amount of emotional impact from the most innocuous of concepts. This adaptation of Eiko Kadono’s children novel may be the simple tale of a young witch who finds her purpose as a delivery worker in a small coastal town, but Miyazaki makes sure you care deeply about every moment in this film.
The small scale gives the characters so much room to express their loveable personalities, ensuring you will be fully invested in something as simple as a cake delivery. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a perfect anime film for all ages and stacks up as one of Miyazaki’s absolute best.
