Studio Ghibli movies in order

In 1986, Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli released the anime feature film, Castle in the Sky (Tenkū no Shiro: Laputa). The movie – a fantasy adventure written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki – was set in the late 19^th Century and centred around the search for a legendary floating castle.

Upon release, Castle in the Sky was met with critical praise and proved to be a hit at the box office. Two years later it was followed by two additional releases from Studio Ghibli – My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies – and both of these films were also met with critical acclaim.

As the years continued, more anime movies were produced by Studio Ghibli, including Kiki’s Delivery Service, Only Yesterday, and Porco Rosso. With each new release the studio’s reputation grew, and very soon Studio Ghibli became known for delivering quality animation and powerful stories that could appeal to audiences of all ages.

Want a list of all the Studio Ghibli movies? Of course you do – and you simply need to read on for all the details.

From Princess Mononoke to Spirited Away, and from Howl’s Moving Castle to Ponyo, all of the Studio Ghibli movies are presented in one handy list. So, if you think you might have missed a couple, be sure to take a look at the list and see what you need to catch up on!

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The Studio Ghibli movies

Castle in the Sky (1986)

As noted above, the Studio Ghibli collection began in 1986 with Hayao Miyazaki’s fantasy adventure movie, Castle in the Sky. In the film, the life of young Pazu changes dramatically when he meets Sheeta.

Sheeta is being chased by pirates, keen to get their hands on her crystal amulet. They believe the amulet has the power to locate Laputa – a legendary floating castle. (124 mins)

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Up next is Hayao Miyazaki’s delightful fantasy, My Neighbour Totoro. In this movie, when two girls move to the country to be near their sick mother, they end up embarking on adventures with the forest spirits who live nearby. (86 mins)

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Onto movie number three now, Isao Takahata’s emotive war film, Grave of the Fireflies. In this picture a young boy and his sister struggle to survive in Japan during the events of World of War II. (88 mins)

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Onto something more whimsical now with the fourth film, Hayao Miyazaki’s fantasy, Kiki’s Delivery Service. In this film, young Kiki sets up a high-flying delivery service, with plenty of magic along the way. (103 mins)

Only Yesterday (1991)

In Only Yesterday, an office worker travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her childhood. Isao Takahata directs. (119 mins)

Porco Rosso (1992)

Hayao Miyazaki directs this adventure fantasy set in Italy during the 1930s. In Porco Rosso, a veteran World War I pilot is cursed to look like a pig. (94 mins)

Ocean Waves (1993)

In Ocean Waves, a young man returning from college recalls his senior year at high school. Tomomi Mochizuki directs. (72 mins)

Pom Poko (1994)

A community of magical shape-shifting raccoon dogs attempt to stop their forest home from being destroyed. Isao Takahata directs. (119 mins)

Whisper of the Heart (1995)

Yoshifumi Kondō directs this next picture – the coming-of-age drama, Whispter of the Heart. The film tells the story of a girl who adores reading and a boy who checks out all of the library books she chooses. (111 mins)

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Hayao Miyazaki takes to the director’s chair once again for the historical fantasy, Princess Mononke. In this film, a young warrior stumbles upon a conflict between a town and a princess raised by wolves.(133 mins)

My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

Onto a comedy for this next film – Isao Takahata’s My Neighbors the Yamadas. The film follows the life and adventures of a family in contemporary Japan. (104 mins)

Spirited Away (2001)

Back to fantasy for this next offering – Hayao Miyazaki’s fantasy, Spirited Away. The film tells the story of a ten-year-old girl who wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits. (124 mins)

The Cat Returns (2002)

Hiroyuki Morita directs this next movie, which focuses on a 17-year-old girl who finds herself involuntarily engaged to a cat prince. (75 mins)

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Hayao Miyazaki is in the director’s chair once again for 2004’s fantasy film, Howl’s Moving Castle. In this film, a cursed young woman attempts to break the spell. (119 mins)

Tales from Earthsea (2006)

In Tales from Earthsea, a man and a young boy investigate a series of unusual occurrences in a mythical land. Gorō Miyazaki directs. (115 mins)

Ponyo (2008)

In Ponyo, a five-year-old boy develops a relationship with a young goldfish princess who longs to become a human. Hayao Miyazaki directs. (101 mins)

Arrietty (2010)

In Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s fantasy, Arrietty, the lives of the Clock family (a group of four-inch-tall people) changes when their teenage daughter, Arrietty is discovered. (94 mins)

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

Goro Miyazaki directs this next film – the 2011 drama, From Up on Poppy Hill. The movie follows a group of teens who attempt to save their school clubhouse from being destroyed ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. (91 mins)

The Wind Rises (2013)

Back to director Hayao Miyazaki for this next film, the historical drama, The Wind Rises. In this film, Jiro Horikoshi’s dream of becoming an aeronautical engineer inches ever nearer when the aircraft he designs end up being used by the Japanese Empire. (126 mins)

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

This next film from director Isao Takahata is a historical fantasy about a beautiful young woman coveted by five nobles. To avoid marrying anyone she doesn’t love, she sends her would-be suitors on seemingly impossible tasks. (137 mins)

When Marnie Was There (2014)

In When Marnie Was There, a shy 12-year-old girl is sent to spend time with her aunt and uncle who live in the countryside. Here she meets Marnie, and the pair become best friends.

But is Marnie who she appears to be? Hiromasa Yonebayashi directs this psychological drama. (103 mins)

Earwig and the Witch (2020)

In Goro Miyazaki’s fantasy, Earwig and the Witch, an orphan girl is adopted by a witch and finds herself living in a spooky house filled with magic. (82 mins)

The Boy and the Heron (2023)

Hayao Miyazaki directs once again for the fantasy film, The Boy and the Heron. The film follows a young boy who ventures into a dreamlike world in search of his missing stepmother. (124 mins)

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Recap: List of Studio Ghibli movies in order

The following list of Studio Ghibli movies is presented in chronological release order. If you wish to watch all of the movies released to date, then please follow this list.

• Castle in the Sky (1986)
• My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
• Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
• Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
• Only Yesterday (1991)
• Porco Rosso (1992)
• Ocean Waves (1993)
• Pom Poko (1994)
• Whisper of the Heart (1995)
• Princess Mononoke (1997)
• My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
• Spirited Away (2001)
• The Cat Returns (2002)
• Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
• Tales from Earthsea (2006)
• Ponyo (2008)
• Arrietty (2010)
• From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
• The Wind Rises (2013)
• The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
• When Marnie Was There (2014)
• Earwig and the Witch (2020)
• The Boy and the Heron (2023)

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Editor/Writer/Mythological Creature

Alex Wiggan

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