The 5 Most Underrated Studio Ghibli Movies

Imagine a story about a former fighter jet pilot who becomes a bounty hunter intent on dismantling the fascist regime that is taking over his country. Sounds like a cool movie, right? Okay, now what if we told you he’s a literal pig? I know what you’re thinking; Porco Rosso might just be the coolest movie of all time, and you’d be absolutely right.

Not only does Porco Rosso have some truly incredible action sequences, including epic dogfights in the skies, but it’s also side-splittingly funny and has a lot of heart, too. For my money, this is actually the best Studio Ghibli film, and not enough people feel the same.

We all know Studio Ghibli movies are pretty weird, but Ponyo might just be one of the most bizarre of them all. It’s kind of like a cross between classic Disney movies, The Little Mermaid and Pinocchio, with a fantastical, fish-out-of-water element as the titular character (a literal goldfish) longs to become human after falling in love with a land-dwelling boy.

Ponyo has astounding visuals, both above and below sea, and the story’s blend of cute and peculiar vibes will charm audiences young and old. Oddly, this has never quite been regarded as one of the top Studio Ghibli films, especially in the West, as it’s actually pretty accessible and universal in terms of the demographics it appeals to.

It may be the oldest film on this list, but Kiki’s Delivery Service, a fantasy story that encapsulates themes of adolescence, independence, and finding a sense of belonging in a new and unusual place, is truly timeless.

Obviously, with so many more Ghibli movies coming after Kiki’s Delivery Service, it’s sometimes easy to forget about the young witch and her adventures in Koriko. But in terms of the real-world, very human concepts it tackles, you’d be hard pressed to find a Ghibli picture that hits the mark quite like this one. It’s a beautiful-looking film, with a tight narrative and lovable characters. Think Moana, but with broomsticks, and you’re on the right track.

If you love the surrealist nature of Studio Ghibli’s work, particularly the anthropomorphic angle to storytelling, you’ll really dig Pom Poko. What’s not to enjoy about seeing a group of sentient raccoons transforming into humans and infiltrating the city of Tokyo in an attempt to protect their woodland home?

In a world that is becoming increasingly at risk due to environmental issues, Pom Poko is now more relevant than ever. If you want to introduce those kinds of themes to younger viewers, it would be far better to get them started with this fairly cute and playful effort rather than diving straight in with the far more bleak and unforgiving Princess Mononoke.

Remember the brilliant ‘90s movie The Borrowers? Well, what if I told you there’s a Studio Ghibli version of that exact story, which is also roughly 90 minutes long, and features the voice work of top stars like Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, and Saoirse Ronan? Sounds like a dream come true, right?

The Secret World of Arrietty may not be the most original piece of work from Ghibli, but it’s such a sweet and endearing little film that it’s a real shame most people forget it even exists. It would be harsh to write this off as merely a copy of The Borrowers, when, as always, this is a movie imbued with so much heart and attention to detail. It may not be as comically inclined as its source material, but it’s just as enjoyable, especially for younger viewers.