Top 25 Animated Movies To Watch If You Love Studio Ghibli
Tales of Beauty, Melancholy, and Whimsy
Studio Ghibli has made a profound impact on today’s generation. The animation studio is one of the most beloved and highly acclaimed for the kind of stories it tells — rich in imagination, emotion, and artistry. Studio Ghibli has created many timeless films, and here are some movies we consider must-watch for fans who love that same spirit.
Suzume (2022)
Makoto Shinkai’s blockbuster proves his mastery of breathtaking animation. A young girl teams up with a mysterious man to close magical doors that prevent disasters across Japan. With a strong female lead and awe-inspiring visuals, Suzume stands proudly among Ghibli-inspired modern classics.
The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
The surreal, dream-like sequences in Ghibli films are mirrored beautifully in 'The Triplets of Belleville.' This French film unfolds like a melancholic and unique fairy tale. With little to no dialogue, it relies entirely on visuals and music to tell its story. Indeed, it's a true testament to the power of art to communicate without words.
Weathering with You (2019)
The surreal and breathtaking visuals of this movie captivate you from the very first scene. Director Makoto Shinkai, one of the most renowned animators of this generation, presents a story with familiar elements. We get to see a young protagonist, a girl with a magical gift, and a deep connection to nature. The film’s stunning imagery is one of its greatest strengths.
Akira (1988)
‘Akira’s’ violence is far from the peaceful and lovely visuals of Studio Ghibli’s works. However, as a masterpiece of animation, Akira has earned the same level of respect. The anime’s obsessive attention to detail and its fluid, hand-drawn animation remain unmatched. Ghibli fans who admire artistry and craftsmanship will deeply appreciate Akira.
In This Corner of the World (2016)
Set against the heartbreaking backdrop of WWII Japan, this anime offers a gentle, slice-of-life experience. It tells the story of a young woman trying to hold on to hope and routine amid tragedy. The hand-drawn animation and quiet storytelling evoke the same emotional warmth as 'Kiki’s Delivery Service.'
The Illusionist (2010)
Based on an unproduced script by Jacques Tati and directed by the creator of 'The Triplets of Belleville,' 'The Illusionist' delivers a gorgeous yet melancholic tone. The near-silent story of an aging magician and a young woman captures nostalgia and the beauty of things fading away, which are all themes deeply familiar to Ghibli fans.
Belle (2021)
Imagine the magical charm of 'Howl’s Moving Castle' blended with a modern digital-age fairy tale. Mamoru Hosoda reimagines Beauty and the Beast for a new generation. Music and emotion lie at the heart of this story, building to a spectacular, moving finale.
Mirai (2018)
Mamoru Hosoda crafts another Ghibli-esque masterpiece. 'Mirai' follows a young boy jealous of his baby sister, who discovers he can time travel and meets his family across generations. The movie’s sense of wonder and family intimacy feels much like 'My Neighbor Totoro,' turning an ordinary home into a magical adventure.
The Secret of Kells (2009)
The first film from Cartoon Saloon, which is often called the “Irish Studio Ghibli,” comes this Oscar-nominated gem. It's definitely a visual marvel. Its hand-drawn, medieval-inspired animation brings folklore to life, creating a stunning experience for fans of Ghibli’s mythic storytelling.
Perfect Blue (1997)
The complex, adult themes often found in Ghibli’s films are reimagined here in a darker tone. 'Perfect Blue' is a psychological thriller—a masterpiece of suspense, identity, and obsession. It’s a stunning, mature work that showcases animation’s power to tell deeply unsettling yet profound stories.
Wolf Children (2012)
A film that feels like a lost Ghibli classic. Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, it follows a woman who falls in love with a wolf-man. After his death, she raises their two half-human, half-wolf children alone, moving to the countryside to let them choose their own nature. It’s a tender, powerful story about motherhood and identity.
I Lost My Body (2019)
A truly unique and inventive French film that won the top prize at Cannes Critics’ Week. It tells two intertwining stories: a dismembered hand’s perilous journey across Paris and the life of the young man it belongs to. It’s melancholic, profound, and beautifully strange. Indeed, a meditation on love, loss, and destiny.
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (2018)
A high-fantasy epic with a deeply emotional Ghibli-style core. The story follows a girl from an immortal race who adopts a mortal baby. It’s a heartbreaking exploration of motherhood, time, and the pain of outliving those you love.
Ernest & Celestine (2012)
If you love the gentle, storybook charm of Ponyo, Ernest & Celestine is a must-watch. This French-Belgian film’s watercolor art style complements its heartwarming tale of friendship between a bear and a mouse. Trust us, it's pure, visual comfort.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
From Satoshi Kon comes this heartwarming and grounded story. Three homeless people find an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve and set out to find its parents. The movie balances humor, emotion, and magic, embodying the “found family” spirit central to Ghibli classics.
Paprika (2006)
If you love the dreamlike worlds of 'Spirited Away,' 'Paprika' is a must-see. Directed by Satoshi Kon, this film about a device that allows therapists to enter dreams is visually explosive and wildly imaginative—a work that directly inspired Inception.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
A masterpiece of 2D animation that Hollywood no longer makes. This epic retelling of Moses’ story carries the grandeur of a Kurosawa film. From the hieroglyphic dream sequence to the parting of the Red Sea, the artistry is simply breathtaking.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Mamoru Hosoda’s film blends romance, sci-fi, and slice-of-life storytelling in perfect harmony. A clumsy, headstrong girl discovers she can literally leap through time, using it frivolously until she learns the consequences. It carries the same whimsical energy as 'Kiki’s Delivery Service.'
Flow (2025)
A core Ghibli strength lies in stories that transcend words. 'Flow,' a 2025 sensation, mirrors that quality through its wordless storytelling and hyper-realistic visuals. It follows a cat navigating a flooded world, forming alliances with other animals—a profound reflection on nature, survival, and community in times of crisis.
The Iron Giant (1999)
Often called the great American Ghibli-style film, 'The Iron Giant' tells the story of a boy befriending a giant alien robot in 1950s America while hiding him from a paranoid government. It’s a beautiful, anti-war tale of friendship and compassion, echoing 'Nausicaä' and 'Howl’s Moving Castle.'
Wolfwalkers (2020)
Cartoon Saloon’s crowning achievement. Set in 17th-century Ireland, it follows an English girl who befriends a “wolfwalker.” Yes, a magical girl who can control wolves. The hand-drawn visuals and themes of nature and freedom resonate deeply with 'Princess Mononoke' fans.
Your Name (2016)
'Your Name' is more than an anime, it’s a global phenomenon. Makoto Shinkai mesmerizes viewers with surreal imagery and heartfelt emotion. The story transcends time and place, celebrating love’s power to connect souls across worlds — a celestial fantasy at its finest.
A Silent Voice (2016)
While Ghibli often explores nature and fantasy, A Silent Voice focuses on human emotion. It’s a beautifully animated, heartbreaking story of a former bully seeking redemption from the deaf girl he once tormented. The film explores empathy, forgiveness, and the quiet courage to heal.
Millennium Actress (2001)
Satoshi Kon’s lyrical masterpiece. Two documentary filmmakers interview a reclusive actress, and as she recounts her life, they’re pulled into her memories. The film blends reality and cinema into a dreamlike chase through Japanese history—an elegant reflection on love, memory, and art.
Song of the Sea (2014)
From Cartoon Saloon, this might be the most Ghibli-like film ever made outside Japan. Based on Irish selkie myths, it tells the story of a boy who learns his mute sister is a magical being destined to save the spirit world. With its hand-drawn beauty and emotional depth, it perfectly captures Ghibli’s blend of folklore, family, and wonder.
