Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli is known for consistently creating quality films. Their first feature-length picture was Castle in the Sky, released in 1986. While the fantasy film received many positive reviews, the movies released after it also garnered high praise, including the studio's recent feature, When Marnie Was There in 2014.
While viewers will have to wait until 2021 for the studio's How Do You Live?, they can still look back on the studio's best movies so far. To rank them, we'll be using the scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
The review aggregation website has given every Studio Ghibli film a Tomatometer score based on the positive and negative ratings of critics. Those with the highest percentages will be showing up here.
It's time to look back at some of the most artful animes around. Here are the best Studio Ghibli films of all time, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988): 94%
Set in 1958 Japan, My Neighbor Totoro finds a professor and his two daughters moving to a house in the country. While the girls are forced to wait for their mother to recover in the hospital, they are nonetheless excited to explore the new location.
When venturing through the woods nearby, they end up encountering wood spirits, including the sweet, mysterious, and giant Totoro.
Whisper Of The Heart (1995): 94%
Whisper of the Heart has junior high school student Shizuku dreaming of becoming a writer one day. After she discovers that all of her favorite books at the library have been checked out by someone named Seiji Amasawa, she set out to track him down.
Amid her quest to find her mystery boy, Shizuku becomes friends with an antique dealer, chases after a cat, and attempts to pen her first book.
Porco Rosso (1992): 95%
In Porco Rosso, a brave pilot-turned-pig must take down a group of sky pirates as they sail toward the Adriatic Sea. In order to prepare for this, the titular Porco must team up with a spunky mechanic and an old friend. However, completing his bounty hunting duties in a post-World War I era will not be easy.
The Secret World Of Arrietty (2010): 95%
The Secret World of Arrietty has little teenager, Arrietty, living in the walls and floors of a suburban home. Though she's supposed to keep her family's presence a secret, she ends up befriending the 12-year-old who lives in the main house. Unfortunately, this relationship could cause trouble for the tiny borrower and her parents.
Castle In The Sky (1986): 96%
Castle in the Sky was Studio Ghibli's first feature film, and it was also one of the strongest.
The steampunk fantasy-adventure has a girl and boy trying to keep a powerful crystal hidden from military agents in the 19th century. While on the run, the pair sets out to find a mysterious castle floating among the clouds.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989): 97%
In Kiki's Delivery Service, the titular 13-year-old moves with her cat to the port city of Koriko to work on her witch skills. After figuring out how to fly her broomstick, Kiki decides to create a courier service that operates within the community.
Though she is at first successful, her powers begin to fade over time. Kiki must overcome her insecurities if she hopes to ever recoup her abilities.
Spirited Away (2001): 97%
In Spirited Away, 10-year-old Chihiro ends up in an empty amusement park with her family. Soon after her parents are turned into pigs, she is confronted by the strange Haku who explains that the park is a place for souls to take a break from the stresses of earth.
It's up to Chihiro to turn her parents human again and save herself in the process.
Grave Of The Fireflies (1988): 98%
Set in Japan during World War II, Grave of Fireflies has teen Seita and his young sister Setsuko being separated from their parents because of a firebombing.
It is up to Seita to care for Setsuko and stay alive. This proves to be difficult, however, with necessities including food, money, and shelter growing scarce.
Only Yesterday (1991): 100%
Two Studio Ghibli films have managed to pull in a perfect 100% Tomatometer rating. The first of these is Only Yesterday.
The adult drama follows the career-focused Taeko as she visits her sister in the rural Yamagata for the safflower fest. Away from the businesses of Tokyo, she has flashbacks to her life as a child. This makes her reconsider whether the life she has now is the one her younger self wanted.
The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya (2013): 100%
The final perfectly rated Studio Ghibli film is The Tale of Princess Kaguya.
The fantasy tells of a girl named Princess Kaguya who is raised by a bamboo cutter and his wife after they come across her in a bamboo stalk.
The couple eventually sends Kaguya away to a mansion where she is trained as a noblewoman. She must fend off five suitors who fight for her hand in marriage and push through her depression.