Best Hayao Miyazaki Movies

The Top Ten
1 Spirited Away

This is by far my favorite movie of all time. The plot is intriguing and strange enough to hold your interest and the animation is stunningly beautiful. The characters are in depth and well voice acted and the character of No Face is possibly the greatest character in film ever, without even saying a word. Miyazaki really outdid himself with this film and I believe it deserves all the praise it gets.

This particular Hayao Miyasaki movie is simply astounding. It has a unique plot, like one I've never seen before. The first time I ever watched this movie, I knew it was one of the best movies EVER.

I also love how everything in this movie is drawn. It's simply, detailed, colorful, and magical. Spirited Away is truly a wonderful experience.

This movie is too ungodly amazing to describe with words but here I am. You know how some movies patent themselves off as magical? Spirited away IS magical because it is so damn good. Everything in this movie is developed and likable and it all works.

2 Princess Mononoke

A story of war, nature, destruction and hate, this movie is by far the most emotionally and thematically complex film of Hayao Miyazaki. No side is truly good, nor truly evil; only what is known is war and hate-- hate which is manifested in a demon curse that consumes the protagonist who seeks to end the conflict. This is truly a masterpiece.

Spirited Away gets SO much credit because it won an Oscar in Japan and America. In my opinion, this movie is better. Don't get me wrong, I love Spirited Away, but this one's story had more of an impact on me. And just so you know, at the American Academy Awards, this was going to be nominated for Best Foreign Film, but they decided not to include it.

Love the story and the action! Best anime movie ever! Although spirited away is also one of the best anime movies! That's the reason they are on top of this list, I would just have these two movies flip flopped. All in all for the most part I think this list is pretty accurate. I would have the wind rises higher though.

3 Howl's Moving Castle

I really liked this movie a lot. From its setting to the anti-war messages, this is my favorite movie from Miyazaki himself. A charming love story between a sorcerer and a girl who has been cursed to become an old woman amidst a war. And Sophie (the protagonist) also gains more self-confidence as the movie progresses even in her worst times (being old). Now, that just really reflects myself.

*Sniffs* every time I think about Miyazaki's movies, I just can't help but have a feeling of heart wrench and shedding a tear.

I was around 9 years old when I first saw this movie. It showed on Cartoon Network, and I remember being so completely hooked that I would scream whenever someone touched the remote control. Sadly, I never remembered the name of the movie and spent years wanting so badly to watch it again. I didn’t have access to the internet until I was 14, and that was when I finally found out the name after doing a few quick google searches. I rewatched it, and my god, the satisfaction and happiness I felt when I saw it again was indescribable. This movie has such a soft spot in my heart and I feel like it’ll remain my favorite movie for the rest of my life.

4 Castle in the Sky

I understand why Spirited Away is in the number one spot, but this is easily number two! Amazing characters and their development, a wonderful story, and all of the scenes on Laputa are so amazing and melancholy that I cry every time I watch it. Awesome ending too.

This should be in the top 2 with Spirited Away at least. An amazing plot, am amazing cast, amazing visuals and the characters are just lovable. Come on people vote this up!

I have seen this film 7 times and have never gotten bored.
The animation is amazing though it's from 1986 and it's better than any Disney film I have ever seen (ever the aristocats which was my favourite film until a year ago).
The soundtrack is amazing and The girl who fell from the Sky and Carrying You are the best songs/ pieces of music ever.
Sheeta (or Lusheeta Toel Ul Laputa) and Pazu are amzing characters and even the villain, Muska, is great (though I hate him).
This film is far too underrated and should get more credit.
I LOVE IT!

5 Kiki's Delivery Service

This movie had an effect on me that no other movie has ever had. The plot is simple, as a concept, but the characters and the artwork mark this movie as truly unique, and a beautiful experience. It is possibly my favorite movie of all time.

6 Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

I always loved Miyazaki's work since a kid. Several of his movies always convey these pacifist, environmentalist, and feminist messages in them and including this. The heroine is not only kickass but she's level-headed and doesn't always resort to violence. Conflicts between nations with organisms being victims of crossfires and mistreatment of mother nature really brings out the worse qualities of mankind in this movie.

This movie left me speechless. The world turning against humans because of what we've done to the world. Including when she reveals that the jungle plants are no longer poisonous when you give them clean soil and fresh water. It really shows us how interconnected we are and the effects we have on the environment. Its truly powerful.

The details on this are amazing, the plot on this is amazing, the feels on this are amazing. It's as good as Akira

7 My Neighbor Totoro

This is the greatest movie of all time.

8 The Wind Rises

The movie that, in my opinion, has the most misunderstood ending ever, and that may be what makes it his best film. On the surface, it's a movie about not letting go about your passion, but if you dig deeper, it's a love story that leaves the protagonist broken and backed against a corner with nothing to save him other than his wife's leaving words in his recurring dreams. So messed up, but so great.

A good film with a nice setting but the protagonist (Jiro) just felt plain and the female characters such as Naoko fell flat. The aesthetics were really nice plus the idea of doing your passion of creating airplanes even if they turn out to become war machines and I particularly enjoyed the dream sequences involving Caproni.

Only one word for it: Beautiful.

9 Ponyo

This movie perfectly captured childlike innocence and fun. Its story is so moving and heartwarming. I highly suggest it to absolutely anyone.

Nothing happened in this movie.

10 The Cat Returns
The Contenders
11 Porco Rosso
12 The Secret World of Arrietty

Ah... this movie is actually directed by Yonebayashi Hiromassa

13 Lupin the III: The Castle of Cagliostro

I really love this movie. A princess saved by a thief only to find that she loves him. It has mystery adventure and romance. What more do you want?-PrincessAWSOME

This looks like an interesting movie. I should watch it someday.

14 Whisper of the Heart

One of the best movies ever it has this cute romance and it's fun to watch I really like this film... For those who like happy endings and simple story line this I a must I hope you enjoy as much as I did ^^

15 Grave of the Fireflies
16 Tales From Earthsea

One of the worst movies ever!

17 From Up On Poppy Hill
18 The Boy and the Heron
19 The Last Airbender
20 Only Yesterday
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