The Definitive Ranking of Studio Ghibli Movies from Worst to Best
All Studio Ghibli Movies Are Great, But Only One Can Be the Best!
*Updated 3/8/2021*
When it comes to animation, few studios can match the same level of quality and consistency that Studio Ghibli movies consistently rise to (Pixar gives them a run for their money though). Founded in Japan by producer Toshio Suzuki, alongside directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki (whom many call the Walt Disney of Japan, but who I think is the superior animator), Studio Ghibli specializes in anime films. Now I know that anime isn’t for everyone, but trust me when I say that Studio Ghibli films are. Not only are they filled with incredible stories and stunning visuals, but they’re so good they get some first-class voice actors when they are dubbed into English (including the likes of Christian Bale, Patrick Stewart, and Michael Keaton). That’s why I decided to rank all of Studio Ghibli’s animated feature films from worst to best. You’ll note that even the “worst” movies on this list are pretty great and definitely worth watching. For those of you uninitiated in these flicks, prepare yourself for a treat! For you tried and true anime geeks, hopefully, these rankings won’t ruffle your feathers too much since there has long been a heated debate among fans as to the best Ghibli movie is. You’ll find out soon though!
22. Tales from Earthsea
Coming in the last spot among Studio Ghibli movies is one of the few films from the studio not directed by Miyazaki or Takahata. Instead, Gorō Miyazaki (Hayao’s son) was in charge of this fantasy epic featuring dragons, mages, and magical swords. It’s not exactly a bad film, but like so many movies adapted from novels, Tales from Earthsea tries to pack in a little too much into its relatively short runtime. Even the director of the original books, Ursula K. Le Guin, couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed by the film.
21. Earwig and The Witch
The key to Studio Ghibli’s success isn’t just due to the brilliance of lead directors, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, but the studio’s whimsical and wondrous hand-drawn animation. Earwig and The Witch is actually the first full 3D CG film from the studio, and that’s where it all starts going downhill. While the film mimics the classic style of Ghibli movies, it feels cheap by comparison. While ‘Earwig and The Witch’ isn’t very good, it’s not altogether unpleasant. There’s a sort of novelty in seeing Ghibli’s style transferred to 3D and the theme ‘Don’t Disturb Me’ is pretty catchy.
20. The Cat Returns
You might notice a trend early on that a lot of the “lesser” Studio Ghibli movies weren’t directed by the two founders. Hiroyuki Morita tackled directorial duties on The Cat Returns and, as much as I love animated cats, this film was a bit of a snooze. Sure, it features a dapper, impeccably dressed, gentleman feline, but it feels like there’s not much of a point to the story. It ends pretty much as soon as it really gets going and leaves the audience feeling a bit underwhelmed. It’s a cute flick, but nowhere near Ghibli’s best.
19. When Marnie Was There
Studio Ghibli tends to do a lot better with original stories but has still tried to make plenty of adaptations over the years. One of the least memorable is When Marnie Was There, which is surprisingly heavy even for Ghibli. It’s the tale of two girls who become fast friends over the course of one summer until one discovers the grim secret of the other. Honestly, you kind of see it coming, but the reveal is over-encumbered to the point where it feels soap opera-esque. Still, Hiromasa Yonebayashi maintains the high quality of filmmaking we’ve all come to expect from Ghibli, reminding us that even the “worst” of their films is still awe-inspiring.
18. Ocean Waves
I promise we’re going to get to some Takahata and Miyazaki movies soon, but up next is Tomomi Mochizuki’s Ocean Waves, a film about how complicated feelings can be in high school. At the center of it is a girl who is struggling with her parents’ divorce,which causes her to take her anger and frustration out on others. While most of the students shun her, one makes an effort to be nice. They have a hard time expressing their true feelings to each other, and their inability to communicate nearly causes a missed connection.