Studio Ghibli films: where to start

Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio, founded in 1985 by people including the directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Its films are mostly drawn by hand, take time for small moments and often tell of children who have to find their way alone in a strange world. Many of them are made for children, some explicitly are not. Here is a path through the best-known Ghibli films, with age guidance and without spoilers.

The easy way in

Spirited Away

2001, 125 minutes. Ten-year-old Chihiro and her parents wander into an abandoned theme park that turns out to be a world of spirits, and she has to work in a bathhouse there to save her parents. Hayao Miyazaki directed it. The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2002 and then the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It has some eerie scenes, and children's film guides tend to suggest it from about age ten.

My Neighbor Totoro

1988, 86 minutes. Two sisters move to the countryside with their father and discover Totoro, a big, fluffy forest creature, in the woods behind the house. There is no villain, just summer, rain and curiosity. The gentlest way in, also with younger children, and Totoro is still the studio's logo today.

For a family evening

Kiki's Delivery Service

1989, 103 minutes. Young witch Kiki moves alone to a town by the sea at 13, as is the custom for witches, and starts a delivery service with her broom. A film about growing up and standing on your own feet, with a black cat called Jiji who has a lot to say. Based on a children's book by Eiko Kadono.

Ponyo

2008, 101 minutes. A little fish girl called Ponyo befriends five-year-old Sosuke and badly wants to become human. Colourful, playful and made with younger children in mind. Next to Totoro, the easiest Ghibli film for little ones.

Howl's Moving Castle

2004, 119 minutes. Young hatmaker Sophie is turned into an old woman by a witch and finds shelter in a walking castle that belongs to the wizard Howl. A love story with a war in the background, based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones. For children rather from about ten, and for adults a good first film if Totoro feels too young for them.

For older viewers

Princess Mononoke

1997, 134 minutes. A young prince is cursed and travels west to find a cure. On the way he is drawn into a war between the people of an ironworks and the gods of the forest. The film has no simple heroes and villains, but it does have bloody battles. Not for small children, but a good first film for adults who like adventure films.

The Boy and the Heron

2023, 124 minutes. During the Second World War a boy moves to the countryside with his father and follows a talking grey heron into another world. Miyazaki's latest film so far is the most puzzling one on this list; it explains little and likes to jump. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2024. You will get the most out of it if you already know two or three other Ghibli films.