Few filmmakers have left a mark on animation as lasting as Hayao Miyazaki. Over more than four decades, his films have blended imaginative fantasy with deeply grounded human emotions, creating stories that feel both magical and profoundly real. Whether it’s the surreal spirit world of Spirited Away, the gentle countryside of My Neighbor Totoro, or the moral complexity of Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki’s work speaks to children and adults in very different—but equally powerful—ways. With themes ranging from environmentalism and pacifism to identity, loss, and growing up, Miyazaki’s filmography can feel overwhelming for newcomers and endlessly debatable for longtime fans. That’s why this guide ranks every Hayao Miyazaki–directed animated film from top to bottom, based on critical acclaim, cultural impact, and emotional resonance. To make your viewing experience easier, each entry also includes a clear streaming guide, so you know exactly where to watch each film today.
Hayao Miyazaki's Films, Ranked
The following table synthesizes critical and popular ratings, historical box office performance in Japan, and competitive award recognition to present a multi-dimensional ranking of Miyazaki's feature films.
| Rank |
Film Title (Year) |
Key Themes & Highlights | Rating / Popularity | Japan Box Office (Incl. Re-releases) | Awards & Nominations (Key Prizes) |
| 12 | Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) | Miyazaki's energetic feature debut, showcasing his early genius for intricate chase scenes and roguish charm in this action-adventure caper. | 7.6 IMDb / 96% RT | ¥610 million | 1 win • Mainichi Film Award - Ōfuji Noburō Award. |
| 11 | Ponyo (2008) | A childlike, poetic fairy tale with stunning hand-drawn ocean animation, celebrating pure friendship and wonder. | 7.7 IMDb / 91% RT | ¥15.5 billion | 3 wins • Tokyo Anime Award. • Venice Film Festival - Mimmo Rotella Foundation Award. |
| 10 | Porco Rosso (1992) | A romantic, melancholic fable for adults, blending aerial combat and anti-fascist themes with a unique midlife perspective. | 7.8 IMDb / 96% RT | ¥4.76 billion | 4 wins • Annecy Int'l Animated Film Fest - Best Film. • Mainichi Film Award - Best Animation Film. |
| 9 | The Wind Rises (2013) | A poignant, realistic drama about aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi, balancing the beauty of dreams with their tragic consequences. | 7.8 IMDb / 88% RT | ¥12.02 billion | 31 wins, 52 nominations • Japan Academy Prize - Animation of the Year. • Annie Award - Writing. • Nominated for Oscar & Golden Globe. |
| 8 | Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) | The foundational eco-epic that established Miyazaki's themes of war, survival, and ecological balance in a post-apocalyptic world. | 8.1 IMDb / 90% RT | ¥2.21 billion | 3 wins • Mainichi Film Award - Ōfuji Noburō Award. • Anime Grand Prix - Best Anime. |
| 7 | Howl's Moving Castle (2004) | A visually spectacular fantasy exploring anti-war sentiment, courage, and self-acceptance in a world of moving castles and magic. | 8.2 IMDb / 87% RT | ¥19.6 billion | 6 wins • Nominated for Golden Lion at Venice. • Tokyo Anime Award - Anime of the Year. |
| 6 | Castle in the Sky (1986) | Ghibli's thrilling debut, a steampunk adventure that defines the romance of flight and questions technology and power. | 8.0 IMDb / 96% RT | ¥1.16 billion | 3 wins • Anime Grand Prix - Best Anime. • Mainichi Film Award - Ōfuji Noburō Award. |
| 5 | Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) | The quintessential coming-of-age story about a young witch finding independence, confidence, and her place in the world. | 7.8 IMDb / RT Certified Fresh | ¥3.65 billion | 4 wins • Japan Academy Prize - Special Award. • Anime Grand Prix - Best Anime. |
| 4 | The Boy and the Heron (2023) | Miyazaki's profound, metaphor-rich "final" masterpiece, a personal summation of life, death, memory, and creation. | 7.6 IMDb / RT Certified Fresh | Final data pending | 32 wins, 64 nominations • Academy Award - Best Animated Feature. • Golden Globe - Best Animated Feature. • BAFTA - Best Animated Film. |
| 3 | Princess Mononoke (1997) | An epic, morally complex masterpiece portraying the brutal, irreconcilable war between industrial humans and forest gods. | 8.3 IMDb / 93% RT | ¥20.18 billion | 13 wins • Japan Academy Prize - Picture of the Year. • Mainichi Film Award - Best Film. |
| 2 | My Neighbor Totoro (1988) | The iconic, heartwarming symbol of childhood innocence and wonder, creating a safe, magical world of forest spirits. | 8.2 IMDb / 94% RT | ¥1.17 billion | 3 wins • Mainichi Film Award - Best Film & Ōfuji Award. • Blue Ribbon Awards - Special Award. |
| 1 | Spirited Away (2001) | The undisputed animated masterpiece—a wondrous, transformative journey and a profound social allegory for our times. | 8.6 IMDb / 96% RT | ¥31.68 billion | 32+ wins • Academy Award - Best Animated Feature. • Berlin Golden Bear. • Japan Academy Prize - Picture of the Year. |
Where to Stream Miyazaki's Films in 2026
1. Max
Official Website：https://www.hbomax.com/
Basic Overview：Max (formerly HBO Max) is a U.S.-based streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It offers a wide range of content including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and exclusive HBO programming. Max is home to the entire Studio Ghibli collection in the U.S., making it the go-to platform for streaming Hayao Miyazaki’s films. In addition to the Ghibli catalog, Max features blockbuster movies, original HBO series like Game of Thrones, and a variety of films from Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, and DC Comics. Max also includes a selection of other anime series and films, making it a great platform for anime lovers.
Subscription Plans & Pricing：
Max offers three different subscription tiers:
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Max Basic with Ads ($10.99/month or $109.99/year): Stream on 2 devices at once in Full HD (1080p).
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Max Standard (Ad-Free) ($18.49/month or $184.99/year): Ad-free streaming on 2 devices at once in Full HD, plus 30 offline downloads.
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Max Ultimate Ad-Free ($22.99/month or $229.99/year): Stream on 4 devices at once in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos (on select titles), plus 100 offline downloads.
Additional Information:
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Free Trial: Max no longer offers a free trial but new users can sign up for the platform at a discounted rate for the first 3 months in some promotions.
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Ghibli Availability: All Studio Ghibli films, including Miyazaki’s works, are available in high-definition on Max. Films are available in both English dubbed and Japanese subtitled versions.
2. Netflix
Official Website：https://www.netflix.com/gb/browse/genre/81227213
Basic Overview：Netflix is a global streaming service, available in nearly every country around the world. It provides a vast selection of TV shows, movies, documentaries, and original programming. Netflix is one of the leading streaming platforms worldwide, and it recently secured the rights to stream Studio Ghibli films outside of the U.S. and Japan. Netflix’s Ghibli catalog is available for regions like Europe, Latin America, and Asia, where users can access the full collection of Hayao Miyazaki’s films along with other Ghibli works. Netflix also offers a variety of original programming, including acclaimed shows like Stranger Things, The Crown, and The Witcher.
Subscription Plans & Pricing：
Please note that pricing varies by country. Below are the standard monthly rates in the United Kingdom (UK) as a reference:
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Standard with Ads (￡5.99/month): Great value; includes most movies in Full HD (1080p) on 2 supported devices.
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Standard (￡12.99/month): Ad-free streaming in Full HD on 2 supported devices, with the option to add an extra member.
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Premium (￡18.99/month): The ultimate experience with 4K Ultra HD + HDR, Spatial Audio, and streaming on 4 supported devices simultaneously.
Additional Information:
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Free Trial: Netflix no longer offers a free trial, but the service provides all content immediately upon subscription.
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Ghibli Availability: Available in over 190 countries (excluding the U.S. and Japan). Offers a massive variety of audio tracks and subtitles, including English, French, Spanish, and more.
Conclusion: Max is the best choice for U.S. viewers who want access to the complete Studio Ghibli catalog with ad-free options and HD/4K streaming. It’s a must-have for Ghibli fans in the U.S. Netflix, on the other hand, is perfect for international users in regions like Europe, Latin America, and Asia, where the Ghibli catalog is available with multiple subtitle and language options. It offers global accessibility and excellent video quality across devices.
Detail Review of Every Hayao Miyazaki Movies
The Top Tier: Defining Masterpieces
1. Spirited Away (2001)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: Ten-year-old Chihiro is disgruntled about moving to a new town, but during the journey, her family takes a shortcut into what appears to be an abandoned theme park. After her parents are magically transformed into pigs for eating spirit food, Chihiro discovers they have entered a realm of Japanese folklore. With the help of a mysterious boy named Haku, she must take a job at a sprawling, magical bathhouse for the gods to find a way to break the curse and return to the human world.
The Review: Spirited Away is the undisputed pinnacle of hand-drawn animation. It is a kaleidoscopic journey through a world that feels infinitely deep, filled with unforgettable characters like the lonely No-Face, the tyrannical witch Yubaba, and the soot sprites. At its core, it is a profound coming-of-age story about a girl finding her inner strength through labor and kindness. Every frame is a work of art, teeming with imaginative detail and emotional truth. Its success—including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature—brought Miyazaki's genius to the global stage, where it has reigned supreme ever since.
2. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: In 1950s Japan, sisters Satsuki and Mei move to a rural farmhouse with their father to be closer to the hospital where their mother is recovering from an illness. While exploring the nearby forest, they discover a world of gentle spirits, including the massive, fluffy Totoro. Through their adventures with these magical creatures and the multi-legged Catbus, the girls find the comfort and courage they need to face their family's uncertainty.
The Review: This is the beating heart and soul of Studio Ghibli. It is a rare film that eschews traditional conflict—there are no villains, no battles, and no grand quests. Instead, it is a pure, evocative celebration of the magic of childhood and the healing power of nature. Miyazaki perfectly captures the way children perceive the world—where a rainy bus stop can become a portal to the extraordinary. Totoro himself has become a global icon of peace and comfort, and the film remains a universal masterpiece of empathy.
3. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: Ashitaka, the last prince of a dying tribe, is cursed by a demon-god while protecting his village. To find a cure, he travels to the distant west and finds himself caught in a brutal conflict between Lady Eboshi, the ambitious ruler of Iron Town who seeks to provide for her people by deforesting the land, and San (Princess Mononoke), a human girl raised by wolf-gods who is sworn to protect the forest at all costs.
The Review: A brutal, epic masterpiece that redefined what animated film could achieve. This is not a "children's movie"; it is a violent, philosophical exploration of the impossible balance between industrial progress and environmental preservation. Miyazaki refuses to provide easy answers, portraying Lady Eboshi not as a villain, but as a complex leader, and the forest gods as terrifyingly alien rather than cuddly spirits. It is visceral, morally gray, and remains one of the most influential works of fantasy in history.
The Essential Classics
4. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Where to Watch:Netflix
Logline: During the height of World War II, young Mahito Maki loses his mother in a fire and moves to a rural estate with his father and new stepmother. Struggling with grief and displacement, he is harassed by a mysterious, talking Gray Heron who claims his mother is still alive. Mahito follows the bird into a crumbling tower and is transported to a surreal, metaphysical world where the laws of time and space are fluid, and he must decide what kind of legacy he will leave behind.
The Review: Miyazaki’s latest (and perhaps most profound) triumph is a dense, abstract, and semi-autobiographical puzzle. It feels like a master artist reflecting on his own life’s work. The film is visually daring, often venturing into grotesque and unsettling territory that contrasts with its moments of sublime beauty. It is a challenging film that deals with the burden of creation and the necessity of moving forward despite the world's inherent malice. Winning his second Academy Award, Miyazaki proved that his vision remains as sharp and uncompromising as ever.
5. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: Following witch tradition, thirteen-year-old Kiki leaves her home on a full moon to spend a year living independently. Settling in a beautiful seaside city with her cynical black cat, Jiji, she starts a flying delivery service. However, the pressures of self-reliance and the fear of failure lead her to lose her magical abilities, forcing her to rediscover her inner strength and creative spark to save a friend.
The Review: A perfect "slice of life" film that serves as a universal allegory for the transition into adulthood. Unlike many fantasy films, the stakes in Kiki are internal—it’s about the vulnerability of being a young person trying to find their place in a world that doesn't always need them. Miyazaki captures the "creative burnout" that many artists face with incredible sensitivity. It is a cozy, atmospheric masterpiece that treats a young girl's loss of confidence with the same gravity as an epic battle.
6. Castle in the Sky (1986)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: A young girl named Sheeta falls from the sky into the arms of Pazu, an orphan who works in a mining town. She possesses a mysterious crystal pendant that points the way to Laputa, a legendary floating city said to hold immense wealth and power. Together, they embark on a high-stakes race against sky pirates and a ruthless government agent named Muska, who intends to use Laputa's ancient technology to rule the world.
The Review: The quintessential adventure movie. Castle in the Sky established many of the visual and thematic tropes that would define Studio Ghibli: a fierce respect for the environment, a fascination with flight, and a belief in the inherent goodness of children. The film moves at a breakneck pace, featuring some of the most thrilling chase sequences ever animated. The discovery of the overgrown, robotic-guarded ruins of Laputa provides a sense of melancholic wonder that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.
Celebrated Adventures and Poetic Works
7. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: Sophie, a quiet and hardworking young hatter, has her life upended when she is cursed by the jealous Witch of the Waste, transforming her into a ninety-year-old woman. Determined to break the spell, she wanders into the mountains and finds employment as a cleaning lady in the "moving castle" of the notorious, vain, and enigmatic wizard Howl. As a devastating war consumes the world outside, Sophie must help Howl find his heart and confront his own inner demons.
The Review: Visually, this is perhaps Miyazaki’s most imaginative and flamboyant work. The steampunk aesthetic of the castle—a clanking, groaning mechanical marvel—is a testament to Ghibli's craftsmanship. The film serves as a powerful anti-war statement, influenced by Miyazaki’s opposition to the Iraq War. While the plot becomes somewhat surreal and chaotic in the final act, the central romance and the theme of finding inner beauty amidst outer decay remain deeply resonant. It’s a film about the transformative power of compassion.
8. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: One thousand years after a global war devastated civilization, the Earth is covered by the Toxic Jungle—a forest of giant fungi and lethal spores guarded by massive, insect-like creatures called Ohm. Nausicaä, the compassionate princess of the Valley of the Wind, seeks to understand the jungle rather than destroy it. When a neighboring empire attempts to use an ancient weapon of mass destruction to "purify" the land, she must risk her life to stop a second catastrophe.
The Review: This film set the template for the iconic Miyazaki heroine: brave, intelligent, and deeply empathetic. Though produced before Ghibli's official launch, it contains all the studio's DNA. It is a fierce, ecological epic that warns against the arrogance of humanity. The world-building is vast and haunting, creating a post-apocalyptic landscape that feels both alien and eerily plausible. Nausicaä’s journey from a curious scientist to a messianic peacemaker is one of the most powerful character arcs in cinema.
9. The Wind Rises (2013)
Where to Watch: Netflix
Logline: A fictionalized biopic inspired by the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the man who designed the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane. The story follows Jiro from his childhood dreams of flying to his education in Tokyo and his eventual career. Amidst the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Great Depression, and a burgeoning world war, Jiro pursues his dream of creating a beautiful aircraft, even as he realizes that his creations will be used for destruction.
The Review: Intended at the time to be his final film, The Wind Rises is a somber, poetic, and controversial exploration of the "cursed dreams" of engineers and artists. It is a departure from his usual fantasy, grounded in historical realism but elevated by stunning dream sequences. The film asks a difficult question: Is the pursuit of beauty and technical excellence worth the terrible cost of its application in war? It is a tragic, visually exquisite meditation on ambition, love, and the relentless passage of time.
10. Porco Rosso (1992)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: In the aftermath of World War I, Marco Pagot—a legendary Italian flying ace—is cursed with the head of a pig after surviving a traumatic air battle. Now working as a freelance bounty hunter known as "Porco Rosso," he patrols the Adriatic Sea, fighting off air pirates and avoiding the rising tide of Italian fascism. His solitary life is challenged when he meets a spirited young mechanic named Fio and an arrogant American rival.
The Review: This is Miyazaki’s most overtly "adult" and personal film, reflecting his lifelong obsession with vintage aviation and his deep-seated political disillusionment. It is a unique blend of high-flying dogfights, Casablanca-esque romance, and melancholic philosophy. Porco’s "curse" is never fully explained, serving instead as a metaphor for his self-imposed exile from a humanity he no longer recognizes. "I’d much rather be a pig than a fascist" remains one of the most defiant and iconic lines in animation history.
11. Ponyo (2008)
Where to Watch: HBO Max & Netflix
Logline: A rebellious goldfish princess named Brunhilde escapes her overprotective father—a wizard who lives underwater—and is rescued by Sōsuke, a five-year-old boy living on a seaside cliff. Renamed "Ponyo" by her new friend, she uses her magic to transform into a human girl. However, her transformation causes a dangerous imbalance in nature, resulting in a massive storm that threatens their coastal village.
The Review: Ponyo is a visual triumph of traditional hand-drawn animation, featuring breathtaking sequences of "living" ocean waves that possess a chaotic, elemental personality. It is Miyazaki’s most vibrant and innocent film, essentially a reimagining of The Little Mermaid through the lens of early childhood wonder. While its narrative is simpler and its resolution relies more on "magic" than logic, its celebration of the bond between humans and the sea—and its message of unconditional love—is profoundly moving for all ages.
12. Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
Where to Watch: Netflix
Logline: The suave "gentleman thief" Lupin III and his stoic partner Jigen track a trail of high-quality counterfeit bills to the tiny, picturesque European duchy of Cagliostro. There, they must pull off a daring heist to rescue the young Princess Clarisse from a forced marriage to the villainous Count Cagliostro, who seeks to unlock a legendary hidden treasure.
The Review: While this was Miyazaki’s directorial debut and predates the official founding of Studio Ghibli, it remains a gold standard for action-adventure cinema. Steven Spielberg famously praised its opening car chase as one of the best in film history. It is lighthearted, witty, and masterfully paced. However, when placed alongside his later works, it feels more like a brilliant genre piece than a deeply personal "Miyazaki" film; it lacks the ecological spirituality and complex moral ambiguity that would eventually define his career.
Final Thoughts
Ranking Hayao Miyazaki’s films is never simple, as each one offers a unique emotional experience. Whether you prefer gentle coming-of-age stories or epic, philosophical fantasies, there is no wrong place to start. With Studio Ghibli films now widely available on platforms like Max and Netflix, exploring Miyazaki’s complete filmography has never been easier. No matter which film you choose, you’ll step away with a renewed sense of wonder and a deeper appreciation for the quiet magic of everyday life.