Top 10 Best Anime by Hayao Miyazaki

Howl's Moving Castle is a 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, based on the 1986 novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones. The film was produced by Toshio Suzuki, with animation by Studio Ghibli and distribution by Toho.

Set in a fictional kingdom where both magic and early 20th-century technology coexist, the story follows Sophie, a young hatmaker content with her quiet life. After being cursed by a witch and transformed into an old woman, Sophie encounters the wizard Howl and joins him in resisting the king, who demands Howl's participation in a war with a neighboring country.

Howl's Moving Castle earned 190 million USD in Japan and 236 million USD worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Japanese films in history. The film received critical acclaim, particularly for its visuals and Miyazaki's storytelling. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 78th Academy Awards and won several other awards, including four Tokyo Anime Awards and a Nebula Award for Best Script.

IMDb Rating: 8.2

Spirited Away is a 2001 Japanese animated coming-of-age fantasy film directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki.

The film tells the story of Chihiro Ogino, a bored 10-year-old girl who, while moving to a new home, stumbles into the spirit world of Japanese Shinto folklore. After her parents are transformed into pigs by the witch Yubaba, Chihiro is forced to work in Yubaba's bathhouse to find a way to free herself and her parents and return to the human world.

Spirited Away became the most successful animated film in Japanese history, grossing over 347 million USD worldwide. It is often ranked among the greatest animated films ever made. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, making it the first hand-drawn, non-English-language animated film to win the award. It also won the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and was included in the British Film Institute's top 10 list of films to watch by age 14. In 2016, the film was voted the fourth greatest film of the 21st century by 177 film critics worldwide, making it the highest-ranked animated film on the list.

IMDb Rating: 8.6

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/60023642

Princess Mononoke is a 1997 epic fantasy anime film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The term "Mononoke" is not a name but a Japanese word meaning spirits, demons, or vengeful entities. The film premiered in Japan on July 12, 1997, and in the United States on October 29, 1999.

The story is set in the vast and mysterious forests of late Muromachi period Japan (1392–1572), where firearms began replacing swords, and the samurai's dominance waned, reducing many to banditry. During this time, humans sought to conquer and exploit nature, leading to its wrath and calamities.

Though animation is often associated with children, Princess Mononoke is best suited for adults and teenagers. The film addresses the timeless issue of environmental conservation, making it one of Studio Ghibli's most iconic works. It reflects Miyazaki's deep concern for nature and humanity.

At the 21st Japan Academy Prize in 1998, Princess Mononoke became the first animated film to win the award for Best Animation of the Year. It also received numerous other accolades and honors.

IMDb Rating: 8.3

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/28630857

Porco Rosso is the sixth anime film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli, first released in 1992.

The story is set during World War I and follows a bounty hunter pilot who targets air pirates over the Adriatic Sea. Cursed with the face of a pig, the pilot, formerly known as Marco Pagot, is now called Porco Rosso (Italian for "Red Pig") due to his red plane.

Porco Rosso was the top-grossing film in Japan in 1992, earning 2.8 billion yen. It won the "Best Film" award at the 1993 Annecy International Animated Film Festival and was listed among Time Out's top 50 animated films.

IMDb Rating: 7.7

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/70019060

Kiki's Delivery Service is a Japanese animated fantasy film produced by Studio Ghibli, written, produced, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

The story revolves around a young witch named Kiki, who moves to a new town and uses her flying ability to earn a living. Miyazaki highlights the gap between independence and dependence among teenage girls in Japan. The film is simple, gentle, and uncomplicated, offering a slice-of-life narrative. Through her journey, the film tells a beautiful story about human connections, learning, growing up, overcoming obstacles, and self-acceptance.

Kiki's Delivery Service premiered in Japan on July 29, 1989, and won the Animage Anime Grand Prix. It was the highest-grossing film in Japan in 1989, attracting over 2 million viewers. The film also marked the beginning of a 15-year distribution partnership between Studio Ghibli and Walt Disney Pictures, which dubbed the film in English in 1997 and released it in the U.S. at the Seattle International Film Festival on May 23, 1998.

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/60027106

My Neighbor Totoro is a 1988 Japanese animated film produced by Studio Ghibli, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is considered one of Miyazaki's earliest major works, a cheerful and pure-hearted film suitable for all ages. It marked the beginning of a series of hand-drawn animations.

The story follows the Kusakabe family as they move to the countryside. The house they move into is rumored to be haunted, but this doesn't deter the curiosity of the two Kusakabe sisters, Satsuki and Mei. While exploring the nearby forest, 4-year-old Mei encounters a giant creature, the forest's guardian, whom she names Totoro. The film beautifully captures themes of friendship, family, and the magic of childhood.

My Neighbor Totoro is celebrated for its vibrant visuals, heartfelt storytelling, and meaningful messages. It has become one of Studio Ghibli's most beloved works and a cultural icon in Japan. With its perfect blend of stunning animation, enchanting music, and profound themes, the film has won millions of hearts and is regarded as a masterpiece of world cinema.

IMDb Rating: 8.1

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/60032294

Castle in the Sky, released in 1986, was directed by the talented Hayao Miyazaki and is considered the first film produced by Studio Ghibli.

The story follows Pazu, a young boy with big dreams of exploring the vast skies and discovering forgotten cities hidden among the clouds. Set in a fictionalized Earth during the 1900s, the film opens with a magical and poetic landscape.

Through this film, Miyazaki subtly conveys messages for those beyond childhood. As science and technology advance, humanity loses its innocence and becomes more ambitious. The film also carries meaningful themes about love, justice, and gratitude toward nature.

This debut work marked the beginning of Studio Ghibli's success in nurturing the imaginations of countless generations. Castle in the Sky won the Anime Grand Prix award by Animage magazine in 1986 and has been used in Japanese flights to promote the country's culture.

IMDb Rating: 8.0

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/60027393

The Boy and the Heron is a Japanese animated drama film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, produced by Studio Ghibli, and inspired by the 1937 novel of the same name. The film premiered in Japan on July 14, 2023, and in Vietnam on December 15, 2023.

Set during World War II, the story follows Masato, a boy who loses his mother during the Tokyo air raids in 1944. His father remarries Natsuko, his late wife's sister, and they move to her countryside home. There, Masato is frequently bothered by a mysterious gray heron on the family's land.

The film is a vibrant tapestry of nature, humanity, and imagination. Each scene carries its own color palette, conveying unique messages, parables, or plot points. The Boy and the Heron tells its story through harmonious and visually stunning imagery, captivating viewers with its continuous motion and enchanting visuals.

The film has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature, making it the first hand-drawn, non-English-language animated film to win this honor.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

The Wind Rises is a historical animated film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, based on the manga of the same name. Released in the summer of 2013, the film is inspired by the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the World War II fighter plane, the Zero.

The protagonist, Jiro, is born during the transition of Japan from its old traditions to modernity. Despite his nearsightedness, Jiro dreams of designing airplanes and conquering the skies. The film not only focuses on his journey to achieve his dreams but also explores his inner world through his romantic relationship.

The Wind Rises tells a story of passion and love during a turbulent wartime era. Through Jiro's journey, the film inspires viewers to pursue their aspirations and find meaning in life.

As the highest-grossing film in Japan in 2013, The Wind Rises received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

IMDb Rating: 7.7

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/70293674

Ponyo is a 2008 anime film produced by Studio Ghibli, directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki. It is the eighth film Miyazaki directed for Ghibli and his tenth overall. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid," the film's production began in 2006.

The story revolves around a goldfish girl who dreams of becoming human. She befriends a five-year-old boy named Sōsuke, who names her Ponyo.

The film won numerous awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year. It premiered in Japan on July 19, 2008, in North America on August 14, 2009, and in the UK on February 12, 2010. It ranked 9th in the U.S. box office during its opening week.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Watch the film: https://www.netflix.com/vn/title/70106454