Ranking the Best Films by Hayao Miyazaki

• Hayao Miyazaki is a legendary director and animator.
• His films feature strong female characters and environmental themes.
• Miyazaki's animations are colorful and imaginative.
• His films explore mature coming-of-age themes.
• Ranking his films is about great to masterpiece, not good to bad.

We Took On The Difficult Task Of Ranking Hayao Miyazaki Movies

Hayao Miyazaki is a legendary director and animator whose entire filmography is exceptional.

Ranking his films is no easy feat as you'd be hard-pressed to find a bad film from the Studio Ghibli co-founder.

This piece is more about ranking from great to masterpiece rather than from good to bad.

Miyazaki's meticulously crafted hand-drawn animations are colorful and imaginative spectacles.

They feature strong female characters, fascinating fantasy creatures, and strong takes on environmental justice.

His films explore mature coming-of-age themes such as developing compassion, individuality, strength, and independence.

There's a deep and thought-provoking wisdom beneath his exciting adventures and magical worlds.

Read on to see how I ranked each of Hayao Miyazaki's masterpieces and see if you agree.

The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)

It's unfair to compare Castle of Cagliostro to Miyazaki's other films because it was his feature film debut.

Part of the Lupin III franchise, it tells the story of legendary thief Arsène Lupin rescuing Princess Clarisse.

Though not one of Miyazaki's more personal stories, it has enjoyable broad comedy.

The animation is not as intricate as in his later films, but you can see Miyazaki's flair for whimsy.

Thrilling set pieces like car chases and clocktower fights make it an exciting watch.

Porco Rosso (1992)

Porco Rosso is one of Miyazaki's silliest films, telling a tale about a World War I fighter pilot turned into a pig.

With his devil-may-care attitude and salty humor, the various hijinks he gets into are a delight to watch.

The highlights are invigorating action scenes, particularly aerial ones that show off fast-paced slick animation.

Porco humorously contrasts with strong-minded female characters like Fio and Gina.

Porco Rosso lightly touches on deeper themes of wartime trauma and fascism in ways only Miyazaki can.

Ponyo (2008)

Ponyo is one of Miyazaki's most lighthearted films and an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid."

A five-year-old boy named Sosuke discovers a goldfish that wants to be a human girl, upsetting the balance of nature.

Despite the chaos, there's lots of adorable family-friendly humor.

Ponyo's underwater world visuals are stunning, featuring vibrant schools of sea creatures and fish-shaped waves.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is grand in scale with powerful ecological messages.

The story follows Nausicaä, an intelligent and brave heroine navigating a post-apocalyptic world.

The film features action-packed flying scenes and a variety of visually stunning landscapes.

It reminds us of our duty to protect our planet.

Castle in the Sky (1986)

Castle in the Sky features the magical kingdom of Laputa hidden amongst clouds.

The quest of young Pazu and Sheeta is filled with action, high stakes, and drama.

Their contrasting personalities make them compelling characters.

The film also features some of Miyazaki's most vibrant villains.

The Boy and the Heron (2023)

The Boy and the Heron was made by Miyazaki at 82 years old, a decade after his intended retirement.

Set in 1940s Japan, the film centers on 12-year-old Mahito mourning his mother's death.

The film explores ideas of grief, legacy, and family but doesn't quite come together as much as Miyazaki's other films.

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

Howl's Moving Castle features Sophie, a young woman cursed by an envious witch.

She volunteers to work in Howl's castle, a steampunk patchwork of wood and metal.

Their differences make the romance between Sophie and Howl enchanting to watch.

The castle is also home to eccentric characters that add humor.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Princess Mononoke takes a more intense approach to environmentalism.

It's a lengthy epic about a young man involved in a war between forest gods and a mining colony.

Mononoke Hime, a young woman raised by the wolf god Moro, fiercely protects the forest.

The film features lifelike, majestic animals and breathtaking animation.

The Wind Rises (2013)

The Wind Rises is a sophisticated World War II biopic of Jiro Horikoshi, the Japanese engineer who designed fighter jets used at Pearl Harbor.

The film explores complex ideas about the price of artistic creation.

It contrasts the serene countryside with the destruction caused by Horikoshi's machines.

The film also features a touching romance between Jiro and Nahako.

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

Kiki's Delivery Service features Kiki, a resourceful and kind 13-year-old witch.

Kiki starts a delivery service for a bakery in a quaint coastal town.

The film follows her small everyday challenges and builds to a thrilling climax.

It's a sweet coming-of-age journey capturing the uncertainties of growing up.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

My Neighbor Totoro is a simple tale about sisters adjusting to their new rural home.

The film focuses on the magical forest spirit Totoro and the sisters' activities.

The narrative is lovely and uncomplicated, filled with imagination and heart.

Spirited Away (2002)

Spirited Away has all the elements that make Miyazaki's films unique but with a darker edge.

10-year-old Chihiro gets swept away to a dreamlike fantasy world of uncertainty and danger.

She faces numerous trials to rescue her parents who have been transformed into pigs.

The film features surreal creatures and inventive designs.

Spirited Away is Miyazaki's most mesmerizing film, thanks to its sensitive portrayal of childhood fears and suspenseful story.