Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio that creates high-quality animated cinematics. The studio explores intense themes, messages about people and life, and blends them with unique storytelling elements.
But for me, the studio, especially the work of Hayao Miyazaki, holds intense emotions and a memorable meaning. The term “Ghibli” means “dessert wind” and is from Arabic origins. It is a direct reference to the hot winds of the Sahara Desert.
- Info:
Directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, along with producer Toshio Suzuki, founded the name and the studio’s work. Their work under the studio was meant to blow through the existing animation industry at the time and it did.
Now, 4 decades later, it still managed to touch the hearts and souls of people around the world, no matter their race, color, or ethnicity.
- Note: I mention 5 here in detail since I can’t compile all 12 (feature-length films) under a 2-minute read, you must explore all his work, IF, like me, you’re a fan of his work or a new fan onboard.
And if you want a place to watch these masterpieces, you can stream them for free or on paid sites like 9anime (free), Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Netflix – mix and match, and you’ll find all of them as they never go out of being watched.
But for streaming these pieces, ensure your internet is seamless because you would not want interruptions or slow buffering. For me, Xfinity is the choice, with reliable speeds and a great support system, i.e. servicio al cliente en español or English. The support is helpful, and will make sure you pick the right plan.
So, let’s just get right into the 5 must watch Hayao Miyazaki movies that have the power to shake your core, give you those feel-good vibes, or wake you up to the reality of life and its bittersweet moments.
Note: There is no pattern to the list and just my preference for them.
Howls Moving Castle (2004)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adventure
Watch Time: 119 minutes
The story in Howl’s Moving Castle revolves around Sophie, a young woman who is cursed with the body of an old woman by a witch, jealous of her youth and beauty. This is, after all, a world of magic and many possibilities.
Sophie then stumbles upon a castle while looking for shelter. The castle of the mysterious wizard Howl, who, with the help of Sophie, will discover his heart and humanity. It is such a whimsical tale layered with pure love, identity, and a transformation of a person with their circumstance.
The end is so soft and gives such a heartfelt moment into what the power of love and a little bit of patience can achieve.
Spirited Away (2001)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Coming of Age
Watch Time: 125 minutes
Spirited Away is such a core memory of my childhood, though I understood its true themes later when I grew up. It revolves around a little girl, Chihiro, who enters the spirit world after her parents get cursed.
She has to work in the bathhouse run by the witch Yubaba, make the guests happy, and in return earn to pay her debt and free her parents from the curse. There she meets a spirit and is drawn to it. What shall unfold is something for you to find out.
The movie is a great watch when it comes to resilience, patience, sacrifice, and spiritual growth. Spirited Away won an Academy Award. I’ve watched this movie on repeat, and it’s truly a Hayao Miyazaki masterpiece for me.
Ponyo (2008)
Genre: Fantasy, Family, Adventure
Watch Time: 101 minuets
Hayao Miyazaki’s most child-friendly film yet, Ponyo is a fun watch with the kids. It is about a goldfish Ponyo who longs to become human. She escapes from the sea and forms a magical bond with a kind young boy named Sousuke. Slowly, Ponyo transforms into a human girl, offsetting the balance of nature.
The aftermath of the transformation results in heavy storms in the city, flooding their seaside town. Together, they must restore harmony between the land and the sea.
The movie is an inspiration taken from The Little Mermaid by Disney. It is a tale of love, nature, and the power of emotions that children have. It has a gentle message about environmental issues and trust, the main theme being balance.
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Coming of Age
Watch Time: 124 minuets
The Boy and the Heron is the latest collection of Hayao Miyazaki films and has been deemed his most introspective work. It is set during World War II where Mahito loses both his parents in a hospital fire and relocates to a new place with his step-mother.
The boy struggles with grief and the change in his life, leading him to follow a mysterious grey heron into an otherworldly realm. In the new place, he is forced to confront his fears, sorrow, death, and legacy, while realizing his place in the world.
These adult emotions take time for us to understand. Thus, the movie is gripping with reality mixed with surrealism. The themes are all about loss, grief, healing, and the resilience of humans. It is visually rich and open for interpretation –a must-watch.
KiKi’s Delivery Service (1989)
Genre: Kids, Family, Adventure, Slice of Life
Watch Time: 103 minutes
KiKi’s Delivery Service is simpler than most of the Hayao Miyazaki animations. It is about a 13-year-old girl KiKi, a witch to be precise, who leaves her home as she is coming of age. She has a talking cat, Jiji, too, a very iconic character.
So, Kiki leaves her home and learns to become independent. She finds a job with Osono and Fukuo, who own a bakery. From there KiKi starts a delivery service, flying through the town on her broom delivering goods.
The movie has some very amazing twists and turns, which land KiKi in an insecure block questioning her witch abilities, leaving her not able to wield them. But with the help of some friends, she gets them back.
Fly with Kiki through the journey of resilience and trust in oneself and how that can help in overcoming the issues of life. This is a great watch for kids, too, so you can sit with your kids and watch this movie too.
Last Thoughts
Ah well! This ends my list of the Hayao Miyazaki movies. But honestly, no summary can encompass the depth of these 5 movies or the rest of his movies. So, watch them for yourself, and you might be as drawn in as me by the themes of these movies.
