All Studio Ghibli Movies in Order (And Where to Watch Them In the U.K.)

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was released before Ghibli was founded, but it’s still widely considered to be part of the studio’s back catalogue, and one of the company's greatest movies. Miyazaki had already been working in anime for 20 years by the time he directed Nausicaä, but the movie gave him the opportunity to adapt his own manga that debuted in 1982 and would continue its run until 1994.

One of the best things about Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is that it lays the foundations for many other great Studio Ghibli stories. It explores humanity's relationship with the natural world, a recurring theme in Miyazaki's work, and features a strong-willed young girl as the protagonist. This is also one of the director’s most action-packed movies: a true hero’s quest in an unfamiliar world.

If you have any love for expansive sci-fi franchises like Dune or Avatar, this is a Studio Ghibli gem you don't want to miss.

Sticklers for details will tell you that Castle in the Sky is technically the first Studio Ghibli movie, which is true—but that's far from the only reason to watch it. It’s also a wonderful example of all the things that Studio Ghibli (and Hayao Miyazaki in particular) do best; It's got steampunk vibes and an endearing child protagonists, flying pirates and magical castles. What's not to love?

Castle in the Sky follows two young protagonists on a quest to enter Laputa, the legendary flying castle, using a magical crystal necklace. This is a great one to watch if you’re a fan of Miyazaki’s more fantastical movies, like Ponyo or Howl’s Moving Castle. It's also perfect for fans of high fantasy animation movies like How to Train Your Dragon and The Sword in the Stone.

There are many reasons why My Neighbour Totoro is considered the quintessential Studio Ghibli movie and why the character went on to symbolise what the studio is all about. The plot is classic Miyazaki, focusing on two young girls who move to the country and meet a group of forest spirits, including the eponymous, cuddly hero. But it’s the way that the director uses these magical elements—first for the characters to escape from a difficult time in their lives and later as a lens through which to process it—that proved to be the most significant and influential aspect for the studio going forward. 

Totoro is a Studio Ghibli movie that viewers of all ages can enjoy—so if you like Ponyo and The Cat Returns, or even non-Ghibli films like The Wild Robot or The Iron Giant, this is one you need to check out. 

Directed by Isao Takahata, Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most heartbreaking movies ever made. The story is set in the final months of WWII, making it one of the rare Studio Ghibli movies to be fully set in the real world and based, at least partially, on true events.

The movie was adapted from Akiyuki Nosaka’s semi-autobiographical story of his experiences as a boy during that time. It’s also a rare Studio Ghibli movie that wasn’t made by Miyazaki, but if you liked the director’s The Boy and The Heron and The Wind Rises, or even Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun, all of which took war and personal histories as their backdrop, you’ll definitely appreciate this one. 

After two masterful, heart-wrenching movies, Studio Ghibli returned to magical, steampunk fun with Kiki’s Delivery Service. This is the kind of Miyazaki-directed movie you can watch with pretty much any member of the family—it’s fun, it’s light, and it’s action-packed from start to finish. 

Focusing on a 13-year-old witch who leaves home for the first time, as a kind of rite of passage, the movie is a classic Studio Ghibli coming-of-age tale that fans of later works, like Spirited Away, or similar female-led movies, like Pixar’s Brave, will adore.  

Only Yesterday is probably one of the least well-known of the studio’s early output, but it’s definitely worth seeking out. The moving and melancholy story follows an office worker who takes a vacation to the countryside; while there, she reminisces about her childhood.

Only Yesterday is Takahata’s followup to Grave of the Fireflies and, unlike most Studio Ghibli movies, it takes place in the real world and the present day—so if you like anime that’s a bit more grounded in reality (think Whisper of the Heart) or are simply a fan of Japanese melodrama (think Kore-eda’s After the Storm and Still Walking), this might be the one for you.

Miyazaki returned in 1992 with Porco Rosso, one of the most fantastical movies in his career. The story follows a fighter pilot and war hero who, due to some kind of curse, also now resembles a pig. 

Like Kiki’s and Nausicaä, Porco Rosso is a movie that showcases the director’s beautiful fascination with flight—so if you are a fan of his gorgeous recent movie, The Wind Rises, or even just need something to watch with the younger members of the family, this is one I can’t recommend enough. 

Directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, Ocean Waves was originally produced as a TV movie in Japan and only later received a theatrical release. As a result, it’s understandably less well known and less ambitious than most other movies on this list, but it’s still a thoughtful and introspective piece of work—and if you liked Only Yesterday, it’s one you’ll probably vibe with.

Adapted from Saeko Himuro’s novel, the story focuses on a college student, Taku, as he reflects on a young romance and a pivotal time in his life. 

Pom Poko is Isao Takahata’s third movie for Studio Ghibli and his first work of fantasy for the studio. The story focuses on some real-world themes (namely, how urban development takes its toll on the natural world), but it’s told from the perspective of a community of raccoon dogs.

In some ways, this is a classic Studio Ghibli setup—and if you appreciate Nausicaä or Princess Mononoke, you’ll probably like it—but you might also find it reminiscent of some Western animations, like FernGully and Watership Down. 

As we mentioned earlier, Whisper of the Heart is one of the rare Studio Ghiblis that feels rooted in the real world and the present—so if you’re a fan of Ocean Waves and Only Yesterday, make sure to add it to your list. 

That said, where those movies looked at memory with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, Whisper of the Heart, which is told from the perspective of a 14-year-old girl, is more of a classic coming-of-age tale. If you appreciate the vibe of Kiki’s or Totoro but would prefer something with fewer fantastical elements, this could be the one for you.