Few names in the entertainment medium have earned the same international recognition as Hayao Miyazaki. A titan in the Japanese film industry, Miyazaki is best known today for his revolutionary work in the field of anime. A prolific director who’s glistening body of work speaks for itself, Miyazaki has been acclaimed the world over for his impressive contributions to animation, with many film experts pointedly describing him as “the Disney of Japan.”
With Miyazaki recently returning from his temporary 10-year retirement to produce his latest venture (The Boy and the Heron), we decided to look back at some of the master’s past movies, ranking them in order from worst to best.
7. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Designed by Miyazaki as the ultimate testament to his fervent anti-war humanitarianism, Howl’s Moving Castle adequately illustrates Miyazaki’s opposition to conflict of any kind. Examining war’s true cost on both combatants and noncombatants alike, Howl’s Moving Castle advocates for love, mutual understanding, and close communication, allowing us all to move past the debilitating effects of war, death, and societal disconnect.
6. Ponyo (2008)
A stylistic rendition of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless fable “The Little Mermaid,” Ponyo once again displays Miyazaki’s ability to craft a movie suitable for all ages. Delighting viewers with its agreeable story of younger children learning to navigate the complex adult world around them, every frame of Ponyo is a visually astounding piece of artwork, warming our hearts even as it nourishes our imaginations.
5. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
The fact that Miyazaki released Kiki’s Delivery Service one year after My Neighbor Totoro seems almost surreal. As with his previous film, Kiki’s Delivery Service shows off Miyazaki’s boundless creativity and astute handling of relatable subject matter. Focusing on the eponymous Kiki’s growth from a headstrong young witch into a mature, responsible adult, Kiki’s Delivery Service is the perfect example of Miyazaki’s penchant for crafting unique fantasy films with a relatable central storyline.
4. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Announcing his retirement after the 2013 release of The Wind Rises, Miyazaki eventually returned to the cinematic realm with his most recent project, The Boy and the Heron. Quite possibly the most autobiographical of Miyazaki’s many films, The Boy and the Heron provides an outstanding look at the hardships that come with loss and the individual grieving process. A marvelous return to form for the legendary director, The Boy and the Heron also proves that Miyazaki’s hasn’t lost a touch since his initial departure 10 years ago.
3. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
It’s not an accident that the title character in My Neighbor Totoro became the official mascot for Studio Ghibli. One of the earliest breakthrough films in Miyazaki’s career, My Neighbor Totoro propelled the director to new heights in international cinema, resulting in his continued exposure to both Eastern and Western audiences the world over. A touching meditation on loss, grief, and childhood imagination, it’s an extraordinarily light-hearted fantasy film able to be enjoyed again and again.
2. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Few movies personify Miyazaki’s prevalent interests as a director to the same extent as Princess Mononoke. Blending historical fantasy with agreeable messages about environmentalism, feminism, industrialism, and technological innovation at the expense of our natural surroundings, Princess Mononoke’s breathtaking story captures viewers’ attention from the opening credits onward.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
It’s impossible to bring up Miyazaki’s name in casual conversation without discussing Spirited Away. After his slow ascension to the top of the anime medium throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Miyazaki cemented his place in Japanese pop culture with this masterful fantasy film. Frequently hailed as one of the greatest movies to exit from the country, everything about Spirited Away is pure artistry, from its gorgeous visuals and calming soundtrack to its charming characters and spellbinding central storyline.
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