Best 10 Hayao Miyazaki Movies

In the last 30 years, Japanese animated films, commonly referred to as ‘Anime’, have become hugely popular. At the forefront of this exciting genre is Hayao Miyazaki, one of Japan’s most highly respected animators and filmmakers. His masterful blending of traditional Japanese morality tales and animated fantasy and science fiction has pushed the art of Anime to new levels.

The best Hayao Miyazaki movies blend all of these elements, creating futuristic worlds with ancient values where conflicts between humanity and aliens or spirits often take centre stage. The top Hayao Miyazaki movies of all time can stand alongside more established animators, embracing a unique method of story-telling and creating hugely entertaining films in the process.

Our list of the top 10 Hayao Miyazaki movies and their IMDb scores takes you on an enchanted journey through the imagination of this extraordinary cinematic visionary, so grab some popcorn, settle in, and let’s take a look at the top 10 Hayao Miyazaki movies.

1. Spirited Away (201) – 8.6

Probably the most famous of any film on any Hayao Miyazaki movies list, this enchanting and whimsical tale tells of a 10-year-old girl called Chihiro and her family, who step through a tunnel and are magically transported to another dimension. Here, gods, spirits and sorceresses have replaced the ordinary everyday world. This Oscar-winning film is a delight, with darker undertones that may scare some younger children. Starring Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino, and Rumi Hiiragi.

2. Princess Mononoke (1997) – 8.3

This classic animation charts the physical and spiritual journey of Ashitaka, who has to find a cure for a curse laid upon him by a Tatarigami. On the way, he stumbles into a war between forest gods and a mining colony. This beautifully animated film is one of the best Hayao Miyazaki movies and explores environmental issues long before the ‘green movement’ became popular. Starring Yôji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yûko Tanaka, and Billy Crudup.

3. My Neighbour Totoro (1988) – 8.1

This utterly charming family movie is a delightful tale of two young girls who move to the country to be closer to their sick mother. However, as they settle into rural life, they find that their neighbours are not farmers but a wonderfully whimsical collection of forest spirits who love going on adventures. This enchanting movie is a perfect introduction to the world of Japanese animation for younger film buffs. Starring Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, and Shigesato Itoi.

4. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) – 8.2

A terrible curse leaves a bright, vivacious young girl at the mercy of a broken old body. Sophie has to do everything she can to break the spell, including facing her own fears. But can she defeat the author of her misery, the talented but vindictive Howl? Sophie must break into his terrifying home and live to tell the tale. Starring Chieko Baishô, Takuya Kimura, Tatsuya Gashûin, and Akihiro Miwa.

5. Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986) – 8.

This delightful story tells of a young boy and girl who are the guardians of a magic crystal. Using all their skills to defeat pirates and sinister foreign agents, they must search for a legendary floating castle. This beautiful story is one of the top Hayao Miyazaki movies of all time and a charming movie for younger children who love to let their imaginations run wild. Starring Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, and Minori Terada.

6. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) – 8.0

Can a princess be a warrior and a pacifist at the same time? This stunning animation takes the ancient warrior code of the Samurai as its foundation, wrapping it in myth and magic to create an enchanting and moralistic tale of Princess Nausicaä. This strong and independent woman is sworn to try and bring peace between two warring nations and to save her dying planet from oblivion. Starring Sumi Shimamoto, Mahito Tsujimura, Hisako Kyôda, and Gorô Naya.

7. Whisper of the Heart (1995) – 7.8

This beguiling tale takes younger movie fans into the world of Shizuko, a young girl who loves to read. But every book she checks out of the library has already been read by the same boy. Curiosity gets the better of her, and after a chance encounter with a mysteriously magical cat, Shizuo goes on a quest to find out who she really is. This sweet story is a perennial favourite when it comes to compiling any Hayao Miyazaki filmography, especially for younger children who are just beginning to be captivated by the world of Japanese animation. Starring Yoko Honna, Issei Takahashi, Takashi Tachibana, and Shigeru Muroi.

8. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) – 7.8

This is one of the best Hayao Miyazaki movies and one that's surprisingly funny, too. Forced to spend a year living as an independent young woman before she can graduate as a witch, Kiki has to work out how to make ends meet and to try and fit into her new neighbourhood. So, with the help of her trusty black cat, Jiji, she starts up an air courier service with a difference. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, and Kappei Yamaguchi.

9. Porco Rosso (1992) – 7.7

What happens if you’re a WWI flying ace and a respected veteran of the skies, but life has left you jaded and a money-hungry opportunist? Haunted by guilt for his actions in the war, Porco Rosso is now a bounty hunter. But he’s crossed swords with the wrong crowd, and now air pirates have enlisted an American to bring him back down to earth with a bump. This delightfully funny film has all the elements of the best Hayao Miyazaki movies, including comedy, plenty of action, and lots of adventure. Starring Shûichirô Moriyama, Tokiko Katô, Bunshi Katsura Vi, and Tsunehiko Kamijô.

10. Ponyo (2008) – 7.6

In a wonderfully wry twist on the original ‘Little Mermaid’ fairy story, Sosuke, a five-year-old boy and the son of a sailor, becomes firm friends with Ponyo. She is a young goldfish princess who dreams of leaving her watery world and becoming human. Ponyo is the daughter of a powerful wizard with plenty of skills in the magical arts herself. So, she transforms herself so she can be with Sosuke. But magic this powerful always has consequences. This delightful film definitely deserves the last spot on our list of top Hayao Miyazaki movies and their IMDb scores. Starring the voices of Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, and Tomoko Yamaguchi.

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