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From the quiet poetry of My Neighbour Totoro to the emotional depth of Grave of the Fireflies, each film is a window into wonder, and now’s the perfect time to catch up on the very best of them. If you’ve hopped onto the Ghibli trend sweeping social media lately, you’re definitely not alone. If you have also fallen in love with the cutesy, warm, water-colour painted graphics, trust us, you won’t want to miss out on the studio’s finest masterpieces.
While the whimsical clips and dreamy aesthetics might’ve pulled you in, there’s a whole world of breathtaking storytelling, unforgettable characters and hand-drawn magic waiting to be explored beyond the trending posts and reels. The visionary behind it all, Hayao Miyazaki, is the creative genius whose storytelling and animation have turned Studio Ghibli into a beloved cultural treasure across the globe. From the quiet poetry of My Neighbour Totoro to the emotional depth of Grave of the Fireflies, each film is a window into wonder – and now’s the perfect time to catch up on the very best of them.
Here are the 5 most heartwarming Ghibli films to watch on Netflix: Spirited Away (2001) Spirited Away isn’t just Ghibli’s biggest hit, it made history. This one has won the Best Animated Feature Academy Award at the time of its release. In this story, we meet 10-year-old Chihiro, who stumbles into the spirit world with her parents.
When evil turns them into pigs, Chihiro must gather all her courage to save them and find her way back home. The movie is frequently cited as being one of the best animated movies of all time and honestly, one watch and you’ll know exactly why. My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Ah, Totoro.
Chances are, even if you’ve never seen this film, you’ve seen him. The titular wood spirit Totoro is one of the most iconic animated characters ever. This film is pure, childlike wonder bottled up in a neat 86 minutes.
Two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, move to the countryside to be closer to their sick mother. There, they meet gentle woodland spirits and go on the kind of magical adventures only children can dream up. The movie is a delightfully simple depiction of childhood abandonment.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) Somewhere between growing up and figuring yourself out is Kiki, one of Studio Ghibli’s most relatable characters. This 13-year-old witch leaves home with her chatty black cat and a broomstick, hoping to find her calling. Adapted from a novel by Eiko Kadono, this film brings vulnerability and independence together in the most tender way.
Kiki’s journey to self-belief is the kind that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Whisper Of The Heart (1995) This romantic drama film is the first movie from the studio to not be directed by either of the founders but by the long-time Ghibli animator Yoshifumi Kondo. Whisper of the Heart follows Shizuku, a book-loving teen who notices a mysterious pattern: someone keeps checking out all the same books she does.
Intrigued, she takes on a small but significant journey – one that leads her to a peculiar cat statue called The Baron and a boy who might just be her muse. My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999) Let’s end on a delightfully unexpected note. This experimental Ghibli film is presented through unique newspaper cartoon-style watercolour animations in a series of vignettes.
Forget epic fantasy or magical beasts, this film zooms in on something even more whimsical: everyday life. The Yamadas are a regular Japanese family just trying to get through daily routines with humour and heart. The slice-of-life comedy follows the Yamada family and their mundane daily lives.
What makes it so special is how it finds beauty in the little things. So, whether you’re new to Studio Ghibli or revisiting these gems with fresh eyes, these films will be whimsical, heartfelt, sometimes bittersweet and always unforgettable. There’s never been a better time to curl up and press play.
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