Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli revolutionized the world of animation with their wide range of fantasy-forward films, boasting captivating visuals, surreal story concepts, and a heartwarming feeling that no other animation studio can replicate.
From classics like My Neighbor Totoro to lesser-known gems like Porco Rosso, Studio Ghibli movies have gained a huge fanbase, and the studio is seen as one of the most important cultural exports of Japan. Ghibli movies are unique, but their strong themes, coupled with philosophical musings and the use of magical realms, can be found in a selection of other recent fantasy movies that are like Studio Ghibli — almost.
Updated on June 3, 2022 by Stacie Rook: While fans eagerly await Studio Ghibli's new movie, the in-production How Do You Live?, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, there are films from a variety of other sources that feel in some way similar to the studio's works, eliciting a sense of wonder from audiences in thought-provoking tales with memorable flair.
Kubo And The Two Strings (2016)
Rent Or Buy On Apple TV, And Amazon Video
Travis Knight served as an animator for The Boxtrolls and ParaNorman, both of which were critically acclaimed as worthy animated films in a pantheon that's otherwise dominated by Disney and Pixar. Knight followed up this success with the stop-motion fantasy film Kubo and The Two Strings.
A mythical saga inspired by Japanese folklore, the film details the life of young Kubo, a boy who plays the stringed-instrument shamisen and embarks on a journey to battle his evil power-hungry relatives. This Oscar-nominated film offers a lot to appreciate, from the action scenes to its voice cast to Regina Spektor's meditative cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
The Little Prince (2015)
Rent Or Buy On Apple TV, Amazon Video, And Vudu
Although the 1943 novella The Little Prince is a children's book, it's also much more than that. This French classic delves into themes of loneliness, love, loss, and the futility of human life while using the titular prince as a metaphor.
The stop-motion style preserves the essence of the book while making it more palatable for younger audiences. Benefiting from its visuals and philosophical elements, The Little Prince is an incredibly satisfying watch.
Pan's Labyrinth (2007)
Stream On Starz And Spectrum On Demand
With its reliance on fairy tales, mythology, and a dark fantasy-driven plot, Pan's Labyrinth can be easily compared to the Ghibli classic Spirited Away. This Spanish-language film is often considered director Guillermo del Toro's best movie, and rightfully so, given his masterful, visually rich filmmaking that twists familiar horror and fantasy tropes.
Set in the 1940s, the story follows a young girl named Ofelia who chances upon a labyrinth that functions as a kind of alternate dimension. What follows is a rollercoaster of thrills and frights as she encounters magical creatures and completes Herculean tasks in the titular maze.
Song Of The Sea (2014)
Rent Or Buy On Apple TV, Amazon Video, And Vudu
Song of the Sea is the second installment of Tomm Moore's "Irish Folklore Trilogy". While many mythological heroes need their own movie, this film explores Celtic and Norse goddesses and creatures, as a 10-year-old boy finds out the secret behind his sister's selkie abilities, which let her easily transform from a seal to a human and back again.
The movie sees both siblings embark on an underwater adventure to free fairies from the clutches of a vengeful goddess. Emotional and stirring, the film is set apart from its peers for its hand-drawn animation.
Where The Wild Things Are (2009)
Stream On HBO Max
Based on Maurice Sendak's 1963 bestselling children's book of the same name, Where the Wild Things Are is director Spike Jonze's foray into fantasy, incorporating both live-action and CGI elements. A boy named Max, who's otherwise lonely in his own world, finds himself in another realm where its creatures crown him as their king.
Despite its premise, the film is a somewhat deeper interpretation of the source material and was therefore marketed toward older viewers — who likely grew up with the book. The dark tones and story aside, this film is all the more worthwhile because of a memorable performance from James Gandolfini, who voices the reckless Wild Thing, Carol.
Your Name (2016)
Rent Or Buy On Apple TV, Amazon Video, And Vudu
One of the best-known anime films outside of Studio Ghibli's classics, Your Name is an incredible and emotional movie showing how a single connection can change everything.
At its most basic, the premise is similar to Freaky Friday, as a city boy and countryside girl wake up in each others bodies with no explanation as to why, which leads to them both setting out to learn more about each other. The film is also often considered writer-director Makoto Shinkai's best movie.
Raya And The Last Dragon (2021)
Stream On Disney+
An animated story from Disney, Raya and the Last Dragon is set in a world where humans and dragons used to co-exist. Now, however, notorious creatures known as the Druun wreak havoc, which compels protagonist Raya to find the last dragon Sisu in order to restore peace.
An action fantasy at its core, Raya and the Last Dragon elevates familiar tropes to continue Dinsey's successful streak of family-friendly fun and introduces one of the most heroic Disney princesses yet.
I Lost My Body (2019)
Stream On Netflix
Darkly surreal, I Lost My Body is unique in its approach to animated tragedy. At the center of this French film is a pizza delivery boy named Naoufel, who grows up with the grief of losing his parents and wanders aimlessly in hopes of finding a companion. When he does find a connection with a girl, a series of events lead to his hand getting dismembered.
The life of this severed hand then forms a parallel story, as viewers witness the journey it takes all on its own. Both stories are heavily metaphorical and emotional, yet the film doesn't overdo its tragicomic tones.
The Book Of Life (2014)
Stream On Disney+ And Freevee Amazon Channel
Before Coco, The Book of Life explored the vibrance of the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. The movie follows a bullfighter who roams the afterlife attempting both to reunite with his lost love and to emerge as a renowned singer.
The story is full of warmth and has an engaging animation style that sets it apart from many of its contemporaries. Adding further atmosphere is the series of popular pop song covers performed by the movie's cast.
Isle Of Dogs (2018)
Stream On Disney+
While Wes Anderson's debut animated feature Fantastic Mr. Fox is a must-watch, it's his sophomore effort, Isle of Dogs that truly shows what the medium can do. Embracing a surprisingly gritty tone, the narrative is set in a dystopian Japanese future where all dogs are exiled to a garbage dump island.
A 12-year-old boy dares to defy the authorities and explores the island, looking for his pet dog. This journey turns out to be an eye-opener for him as he bears witness to the experiences of the other stray dogs, most of whom have had tragic lives. Ultimately, the child and his canine friends then decide to stage a revolution of their own.