The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013). 🤍 “The Procession of Celestial Beings I” by Joe Hisaishi is such an ethereal piece of music.
My Neighbors the Yamadas
It’s cute, hilarious, and uplifting.
I’d have to flip a coin between Porcco Rosso and Naussica
This is like asking what is the best or favourite South Park episode. I can’t think of a favourite studio Ghibli movie. But for me, probably the closest to my number 1 spot is “When Marnie was there.” I am not sure why, but the movie pulls a heart string for me and it feels more personal. Speaking of the movie, I can’t believe that the movie is 10 years old this year! I remember watching it for the first time in my local independent theatre!
Porcco Rosso. I can literally watch that movie on repeat.
I’ve only seen one so far (twice) - My Neighbour Totoro, so it’ll have to be that one for now.
Grave of the fireflies. I’ve only watched it once but out of all movies i’ve ever watched, it’s the one that made me the most emotional. Incredibly powerful.
- Only Yesterday - Probably my favorite movie ever. It’s so authentic and personal and real.
- Spirited Away - Really emotional and dramatic and surprisingly NOT overrated at all.
- The Wind Rises - Feels very personal while also feeling broad and important.
- From Up on Poppy Hill - I love complicated family situations, and I like the aesthetics and music.
- The Secret World of Arrietty - The philosophy of the characters in this one is actually really interesting.
I’m one of the people that don’t get the appeal. I’ve watched a few highly praised ones and found them to be incredibly boring.
They tend to have a lot of depth and character, and they don’t follow the same plot or set of acts so it sets them apart from DreamWorks/Pixar movies in the west. Unless you hate the art style entirely theres a good chance theres a few movies you will like.
Yeah that’s the same I keep hearing from everyone who likes the movies, and I’ve heard/read lengthy explanations of a few of them, and was pushed to rewatch a couple with various groups or individuals. Most often I think that movie with the dirty river god in some bath house, forgot what it’s called.
I believe I must have watched 5 or 6, most of which more than once, and it’s seriously not my cup of tea.
Favorite is not the right word.
I think there are different Ghibli movies for different questions.
Which is the most rewatched in my home? Probably Porco Rosso since it’s light-hearted and easy to consume. Miyazaki’s Magnum Opus? Mononoke or Nausicaa. Best to watch with your kids? Totoro, Kiki, and Ponyo. Most emotionally impactful? Grave of the Fireflies.
“Favorite” though? No idea. Depends on how I’m feeling.
I agree with all this. I also have a soft spot for The Cat Returns because that was the first one I saw, lol
Absolute favourite:
Kiki’s Delivery Service. Character and story that I relate with most of our of all of the movies. I wish I’d watched it when I was a kid.
Other favourites:
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
- Pom Poko
- Whisper of the Heart
- Howl’s Moving Castle
- The Tale of Princess Kaguya
- When Marnie Was There
Almost favourites:
- Princess Mononoke (I don’t like Ashitaka that much by the end)
- Spirited Away (only because this is the only Ghibli that I ever came across in the wild before watching all of them, I’m over exposed to it)
- Earwig and the Witch (love the concept and general story, not a fan of the animation style and a lot of specifics)
It’s probably too basic, but Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke have always been my favorites, the latter of which was where I started.
These two plus Tonari no Totoro for me (My Neighbor Totoro). I guess it would be Totoro if I had to choose just one but hard to say.
Castle in the sky is my all time favourite! The music and theme hits all the right boxes for me.
I adore Porco Rosso for its gentle simplicity.
When Marnie Was There… hit me in the emotions in a way that I was not prepared for, and I love it for that.
Porco Rosso is also really funny!
Nausciaa, but they’re all magical.
Out of the ones I’ve seen, The Cat Returns. It’s not the most cinematic, amazing, fantastical movie like Spirited Away, Ponyo, Princess Mononoke, etcetera, but it’s one I really like regardless.
Though, if we’re talking about the opposite, Earwig and the Witch is at the very bottom.
