It would be wild to say that the only anime movies worth watching are those directed by Hayao Miyazaki, but at the same time, his contributions to that whole medium (yeah, more a medium than a genre) cannot be overlooked. Being a fan of anime and not watching anything by Miyazaki would be a bit like being a fan of gangster movies, but never watching one directed by Martin Scorsese. On both fronts, technically possible, yet also largely confounding. You’re missing out, either way. Hell, there are Miyazaki films you should watch even if you don’t really consider yourself all that fond of anime, much as it’s worth watching the likes of Goodfellas and The Irishman, even if you’re not crazy about gangster films (okay, sorry, last time Scorsese will be referred to).

Hayao Miyazaki is also noteworthy as a producer and writer, as he’s been credited with doing those things for movies he didn’t direct, but were made within Studio Ghibli, the company he co-founded. He also started directing feature films later than you might’ve expected, as he turned 38 the year that his feature-length directorial debut, The Castle of Cagliostro, came out (1979). Since then, he’s directed 11 other movies, and honestly, all of them are, at worst, very good. There is no Miyazaki film that comes anywhere close to being bad, but if you want a rundown of the absolute best of the best, that’s what the following intends to do. Maybe it’s only going to be useful for those who are somehow new to Studio Ghibli and/or Hayao Miyazaki, but still, there’s merit in starting with these ones and then still making sure to watch the other seven he’s directed. You can’t go wrong with any, but you especially can’t go wrong with the following.

5

‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ (1984)

There’s a bit of science fiction (and dystopian/post-apocalyptic stuff) to be found in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, alongside the fantastical elements, which ensures it stands out within Hayao Miyazaki’s filmography. Plenty of the director’s movies belong to the fantasy genre, to the point where, come to think of it, not many don’t; really just the aforementioned The Castle of Cagliostro, and then also the biographical war film that is The Wind Rises. But back to Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. It’s the last film Miyazaki directed before Studio Ghibli was formed, though it does have certain elements that are found in his movies that he would direct after co-founding the company, including environmental themes and a conflict that revolves, in one way or another, around humanity and the natural world. Oh, and a character with a royal title, plus some unusual and creatively designed creatures.

There’s enough Ghibli-ness here to the point where Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind sometimes gets labeled as a Studio Ghibli movie, but that just speaks to Miyazaki’s style and how he brought so much to the films he did direct once that studio was actually formed. You might expect a film made so long ago to be a bit rough around the edges or unpolished compared to what came later, but that really isn’t the case with Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. This still feels like a great and pretty much timeless film, and even if the best was still to come for Miyazaki, this 1984 release was already excellent and demonstrated the director at close to his full potential.

4

‘Castle in the Sky’ (1986)

As was the case with Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, it’s wild to consider how Castle in the Sky is now 40 years old. Well, with the other, it’s more than 40 years old technically, and Castle in the Sky is 40 at the time of writing, but still. Four decades feels like a while in filmmaking sphere and movies from that long ago don’t always hold up for obvious reasons, but Miyazaki’s do. In all likelihood his more recent movies will still be striking decades from now too when they themselves turn 40… or older.

This was the first Miyazaki movie made after formation of Studio Ghibli and has lots of his trademarks on display while being typically imaginative with its story about a race to find a flying castle and a whole chase involving two main characters being pursued by large group of adversaries. Saying the Miyazaki film about floating castle is better than one about moving castle might be bold take, but again: all Hayao Miyazaki films are worth watching (yes including Howl’s Moving Castle. Of course. Consider that its honorable mention).

3

‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)

Of all Hayao Miyazaki films,The Boy and the Heron might well be most complex and it’s also one that might end up being Miyazaki’s final film. If you’re fan of filmmaker you’ll know that he’s talked about retirement before then has kept on making movies regardless but he turned 82 year The Boy and The Heron came out since there was decade between The Wind Rises and The Boy and The Heron another film could still be many years away if it’s to come out at all. So,The Boy and The Heron is bittersweet but it’s worth celebrating fact that it does exist while also appreciating how much it has to say about legacy. It would be good swansong for Miyazaki in other words.

There’s fantastical world here explored in way that’s somewhat reminiscent another Miyazaki film released in 2001 (more on that one later) butThe Boy and The Heron goes some other interesting directions narratively thematically all while being quite bit darker. Whole thing is fairly overwhelming after just one watch but it’s kind thing where rewatches reading up on what certain things mean help/enrich entire experience great deal. Time may prove such guess wrong but at moment feels likeThe Boy and The Heron could really be considered just as great eventually as his older films are right now. There’s always significant enthusiasm for movie but feels likely strengthen as more time passes.

2

‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)

With two best Hayao Miyazaki movies it’s easy get hyperbolic.Princess Mononoke, being one those two movies really is quite masterful judged by any standard (you know not just animation or anime). It’s about personal quest leads something much bigger because begins with young man trying rid himself curse but then whole journey takes him town filled people warring against nature essentially. They’re industrialized village using up environmental resources beings forest fighting back against whole thing.

It’s familiar territory for fantasy/adventure movie with environmentalism angle stuff butPrincess Mononoke does interesting things so ends up not feeling clichéd overly familiar. It’s well-told story top-tier animation (obviously) also gives you almost much chew on as aforementioned (more complicated)The Boy and The Heron. If you wanted argue it’s Miyazaki most well-rounded movie or offers particularly large number things appreciate (runtime helps department) then such argument would indeed fair one attempt. People probably wouldn’t scoff you too much for saying that.

1

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

It could well be definitive one as far anime movies go yeah it’sSpirited Away . It’s easiest put #1 spot here as it also hardest fault considering how strong all previously mentioned movies were saying lot . It’s fantasy movie about growing up maturing unusual circumstances say least involves young girl trapped strange world without help parents they’ve been transformed pigs . It all happens suddenly when she her parents get lost while driving new home she has work out how get herself her parents out where they’re all trapped . Getting her parents back normal/non-pig form would obviously plus too.

And maybe all that mostly just excuse for Miyazaki depict explore another wild world could only come from imagination no one else no there’s lot more here . You get lotSpirited Away , it’s sort great movie can watch pure experience like visuals style alone but then if you want dig little deeperin terms what it got say about growing up coming age braving hardships can indeed get analytical. It easily one very best animated movies all time can count itself legendary family film actually well it just great movie however you want classify it . Hyperbole stops here could go on whole lot longer talking about movie likeSpirited Away .