Summary

Studio Ghiblifilms are well-regarded for their heart and depth. They’re lauded for their storytelling and praised for their lush visuals. Those hand-drawn details capture your attention while the intricate plots ensnare your heart.

The beauty of Ghibli is its wholehearted acceptance of the mundane. Even its most fantastical films — Ponyo, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away, for instance — are rooted in the joys of daily life. Ghibli’s masterful storytelling makeseverythingexciting and beautiful, even something as boring as drying laundry! These anime capture the same vibes.

Shusaku and Suzuku sit by a mossy stone retaining wall. Shusaku wears an Imperial Navy uniform.

Updated on June 06, 2025 by Meaghan Daly:While Miyazaki has announced his predictable un-retirement following The Boy and the Heron, fans will have a few years to wait before the next Ghibli masterpiece. Rewatches are fun, but it never hurts to try something new. These films are great opportunities to scratch that pesky Ghibli itch.

9In This Corner Of The World

In This Corner of the Worldhas all the visual hallmarks of a Ghibli film. Each scene is rendered in carefully selected pastel. It can easily be likened to lighthearted Ghibli entries like Pom Poko and My Neighbors the Yamadas. However, the plot of this meticulous period drama is closer to Grave of the Fireflies.

But don’t be scared away by the pile of tissues you’ll need to finish this masterpiece. In This Corner of the World perfectly captures the mundane joys and struggles of wartime civilians. Its cast exhibits a very Ghibli-esque tenacity and will to live, bringing hope to the film’s darkest moments.

Gin, Hana, and Miyuki look at a baby in Tokyo Godfathers.

8Tokyo Godfathers

While it’s certainly more thematically risqué than any Ghibli film,Satoshi Kon’sTokyo Godfathershas all the whimsy of a Ghibli film. It stands out from its compatriots thanks to its light-hearted antics and surprising lack of mind-bending surrealism. Moreover, at just a tad over an hour and a half, it’s the perfect bite-sized way to satiate your need for some Ghibli.

While Satoshi Kon is known for his psychologically thrilling twists, Tokyo Godfathers happily adopts a grounded narrative style. The film begins on Christmas Eve, when a trio of homeless friends — Gin, Hana, and Miyuki — find an abandoned baby in the trash. Despite their differences, the unlikely friends eagerly set forth to find the infant’s parents. What follows is a heartwarming film with something to keep everyone happy. There’s action, adventure, and humor in equal parts. In many ways, its ‘something for everyone’ style mirrors Ghibli’s earliest films, like Castle in the Sky.

Kino looks at the horizon. Kino has short hair and a tan overcoat. A pair of aviator goggles is strapped to Kino’s hat.

7Millennium Actress

Millennium Actressis a visually stunning glimpse into the life of an elderly actress. The tale whisks you through decades of scenery in less than an hour. It’s a compelling, emotionally charged film that perfectly captures the unbridled zen of Ghibli.

Its cluttered and lively scenes are drawn from the past, casting a warm, nostalgic filter over otherwise forgettable habits. Small details become plot points, anchoring the characters in a magical in-between world. That heartfelt warmth parallels the fondness of Ghibli’s many historical works, such as Totoro and From Up On Poppy Hill. At the same time, its narrative style parallels Only Yesterday.

Kaoru and Sentaro, two high school boys, stand together. Both wear white button-up polo shirts.

6Kino’s Journey

With just 13 episodes in its 2003 anime adaptation,Kino’s Journeyis a bite-sized anime saga with all the hallmarks of a Ghibli masterpiece. On the surface, it has those soft, sweeping shapes and delicate watercolor backgrounds. However, it’s the plot that really sets Kino’s Journey apart.

There are two anime adaptations of Kino’s Journey. There are few differences between the two series beyond minor stylistic changes. The second adaptation,Kino’s Journey: The Beautiful World, aired in 2017. There are also two animated films based on the series.

A white wooden door in the middle of a reflection pool. Mossy ruins are in the background.

The titular Kino travels the world with a talking motorcycle. If that whimsical twist isn’t Ghibli enough, each episode has a unique and thought-provoking twist. Each entry in the series gives you something to think about, much like the mind-bending works of Hayao Miyazaki.

5Kids On The Slope

If you’re a fan of Ghibli’s more grounded stories — like Whisper of the Heart and Only Yesterday — look no further thanKids on the Slope. This slow-burn tale follows a group of high school friends, carefully capturing their triumphs and failures.

Be warned, though! Kids on the Slope isn’t for fans of Ghibli’s action-based titles. Its realism also means it lacks the speed and scale of the studio’s more fantastical works. Nonetheless, fans of Ghibli’s slice-of-life romps will adore Kids on the Slope’s enthusiasm for daily joys. There’s even some innocent romance to sweeten the deal.

A confused Lupin the Third holds a dart. He wears a green suit with a yellow tie.

4Suzume

Makoto Shinkai’s filmsare known for their complexity and depth. He’s been hailed as a potential successor to Hayao Miyazaki, and his most recent film,Suzume, is yet another notch on a well-decorated belt. However, this fantastical tale is more complex than it seems.

In many ways, Suzume mirrors Spirited Away. It uses rich visuals and a complex narrative to portray the timeless struggle of growing up. The characters frequently interact with unseen mysteries, and the magic within Suzume is given a very Ghibli-esque sense of pragmatism. Notably, the film contains a few loving nods to Ghibli’s enduring cultural influence.

Shun, a teenage boy with brown hair, stands in a grassy field. He wears a brown cloak with a blue collared shirt.

3Lupin The Third

Before Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki worked as a run-of-the-mill animator and producer for various Japanese studios. One of them produced the first of many anime adaptations of Lupin the Third. The series, branded asLupin the Third: Part One, ran from 1971 to 1972, and you’ll probably notice some familiar visuals.

Of course, an action-packed adventure may seem out of place in Ghibli’s catalog. However, it perfectly aligns with the studio’s earlier releases. Lupin the Third matches the excitement of Castle in the Sky and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

Mary looks at the camera. Mary is a young girl with red hair, worn in pigtails, with blue eyes. She wears a pink sweater and blue sneakers.

2Children Who Chase Lost Voices

For all its triumphs, Spirited Away is for younger audiences. Its themes resonate with everyone, although its story may leave older viewers wanting more. Fortunately, there’s a solution.Children Who Chase Lost Voicescan be considered a darker version of Spirited Away, revolving around more mature topics and ideas.

Nonetheless, like Spirited Away, Children Who Chase Lost Voices tells the tale of an ethereal adventure. The cast straddles the line between reality and spiritualism, seamlessly interacting with a world beyond normal comprehension. None of this is treated with incredulity; it’s part of life, and those pockets of fantasy are celebrated.

1Mary And The Witch’s Flower

Mary and the Witch’s Floweris a heartwarming romp througha magical version of the English countryside. The film’s lush, colorful scenes weave a timeless tale of growth and maturity. At the same time, its carefully rendered details highlight the beauty of life.

The 2017 film’s familiarity is far from surprising. Its story comes from a beloved British author, and many of its artists once worked for Studio Ghibli. Its director, Hiromasa Yonebayashi, also directed Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty. (So, youmightconsider this entry cheating!) Nonetheless, despite its roots, Mary and the Witch’s Flower is entirely unaffiliated with Ghibli.