The complete collection of Studio Ghibli films has been widely acclaimed in the film industry, earning numerous awards and high praise. Their pure and heartfelt storytelling resonates deeply with audiences, often sparking reflection and emotional connection.
To help you reconnect with your inner emotions, we’ll now introduce several platforms and methods where you can watch Studio Ghibli movies.
Where to Watch Studio Ghibli Movies
To watch Studio Ghibli movies, you can use official streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max. However, they all have pros and cons.
Stream Studio Ghibli Movies on Netflix
Netflix is a great site for watching all Studio Ghibli movies. To watch Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix, you need to subscribe to its standard plan with ads at $7.99 per month, or the ad-free option at $15.49 per month. For more information about Netflix prices, read our article: How Much Is the Netflix Price?
Tip: You can also use a Netflix online global search like uNoGS to see if the desired Ghibli movie is in your Netflix region.
Advantages:
- Netflix offers all Studio Ghibli movies.
- Netflix allows you to watch Studio Ghibli movies in Japanese audio, with English subtitles.
- Netflix offers Studio Ghibli movies in most countries, including India, Canada, the UK, Korea, China Hong Kong, etc.
- It provides a smooth and high-definition watching experience.
- It is an officially authorized platform.
Limitations:
- Studio Ghibli movies are not available on Netflix US and Japan.
- An ad-free Netflix plan costs $10 more than a plan with ads.
Watch Studio Ghibli Movies on HBO Max
HBO Max is another good platform for streaming Studio Ghibli movies. Its basic plan with ads starts at $9.99 per month, while the ad-free option costs $15.99 per month. If you want to know more about HBO Max prices, see our article: How Much Is HBO Max? – Plans and Prices.
Additionally, HBO Max has collaborated with Hulu; if you happen to have a Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle, you can also watch Studio Ghibli movies on Hulu.
Advantages:
- HBO Max provides most Studio Ghibli movies in the USA, including My Neighbor Totoro and Howl’s Moving Castle.
- HBO Max offers original Japanese audio of its Studio Ghibli movies, with English subtitles.
- It offers a great experience for watching.
- It is officially authorized to play Studio Ghibli movies.
Limitations:
- HBO Max only offers Studio Ghibli movies in the United States.
- HBO Max doesn’t own Graves of the Fireflies.
What If You Can’t Watch Studio Ghibli Movies Online?
If you can’t stream Studio Ghibli movies from your region, you can try the methods below to enjoy these featured films.
Way 1. Use a VPN to Unblock the Geo-restriction
If you can’t watch Studio Ghibli movies in your region, use a VPN to change your IP address to an available country. You can try a feature-rich and robust VPN. (Tip: LightningX VPN is a reliable, secure, and worthy VPN brand that has a good reputation on the Google Play Store.)
Taking LightningX VPN as an example, here’s how to use it to watch Studio Ghibli movies from a geo-blocked region.
- Download and install LightningX VPN on your device.
- Open the app and sign up for an account.
- Tap “Auto-select server”, scroll down, and choose a region that offers Studio Ghibli movies. Now you can go to the streaming site to see if the Ghibli movies are available.
Way 2. Buy Blu-ray, Steelbooks, or DVDs of Studio Ghibli Movies
If you are a fan of Ghibli movies but are in a region where you can’t stream them, you can purchase Blu-ray, steelbooks, and DVDs. In this way, you can watch Ghibli movies without time and region limitations.
The GKIDS store is an official channel for purchasing physical discs and merchandise for Studio Ghibli movies. Amazon is also a good place to buy them and compare prices across different products.
Way 3. Watch Studio Ghibli Movies in Theaters
Another great place to enjoy Studio Ghibli movies is the theaters. The big screen, immersive sound, and enclosed environment provide a much richer viewing experience.
To know where to watch Studio Ghibli movies in theaters, you can keep an eye on Ghibli Fest, a yearly event that celebrates the legacy of Studio Ghibli films by showcasing a selection of them in theaters throughout the year. You can follow Ghibli Fest on Instagram to stay updated on any upcoming showings and news.
Way 4. Buy or Rent Studio Ghibli Movies on Digital Platforms
The last method to watch Studio Ghibli movies is to rent or buy them on digital platforms like Amazon and Apple TV. To rent a popular Ghibli movie on Amazon, e.g., Howl’s Moving Castle, you’ll need to pay $3.99. However, note that there’s usually a time limit for you to watch the rented movie.
Where to Watch Ghibli-Like Movies for Free
There are many best anime websites for watching Ghibli-like movies, while Crunchyroll and Tubi TV give you a free opportunity. Let’s see what anime they offer.
1. Tubi TV
Tubi TV is a website for watching free movies and shows. It has these movies that feel like Studio Ghibli movies.
- Lost in the Moonlight (2016, Korean)
- The Legend of Hei (2019, China)
- The House of the Lost on the Cape (2021, Japan)
- Penguin Highway (2018, Japan)
- The Wonderland (2019, Japan)
- Junkers Come Here (1995, Japan)
2. Crunchyroll
Though Crunchyroll starts charging now, it offers a 7-day free trial of the premium plan. You can subscribe to the plan and cancel it within 7 days, so you can freely watch these movies that give a feeling of Ghibli movies.
- The Boy And The Beast (2015, Japan)
- Your Name (2016, Japan)
- The Stranger By The Shore (2020, Japan)
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006, Japan)
- Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms (2018, Japan)
How to Watch Studio Ghibli Movies in Order
Here is a list of all the Studio Ghibli movies ranked by their release year.
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
- Castle in the Sky (1986)
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
- Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
- Only Yesterday (1991)
- Porco Rosso (1992)
- Ocean Waves (1993)
- Pom Poko (1994)
- Whisper of the Heart (1995)
- Princess Mononoke (1997)
- My Neighbor Totoro (1998)
- My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
- Spirited Away (2001)
- The Cat Returns (2002)
- Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
- Tales from Earthsea (2006)
- Ponyo (2008)
- The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
- From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
- The Wind Rises (2013)
- When Marnie Was There (2014)
- The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Which Are the Best Studio Ghibli Movies?
It is subjective to decide which are the top Studio Ghibli movies. However, if you still want to get an answer, check the top five below based on their Awards, influences, and ratings.
1. Spirited Away
- It earned two major awards—the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
- Critical scores: Metacritic 96/100; IMDb 8.6/10; Rotten Tomatoes 96%.
2. Graves of the Fireflies
- It received the Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation and a Blue Ribbon Award nomination for Best Director.
- Review ratings: Metacritic: 94; IMDb: 8.5/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 100%.
3. The Wind Rises
- It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature and the Japan Academy Prize winner.
- Reviewer grade: Metacritic: 83; IMDb: 8.5/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 88%.
4. Castle in the Sky
- It received multiple awards in Japan, including the Animage Anime Grand Prix and the Ōfuji Noburō Award at the Mainichi Film Awards.
- Critical scores: Metacritic:78; IMDb: 8/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 96%.
5. Porco Rosso
- It was the winner of Best Feature at Annecy International Animation Festival.
- Reviewer grade: Metacritic: 83; IMDb: 7.7/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 96%.
Where to Stream Studio Ghibli Movies – FAQs
Q: What is the most heartbreaking Ghibli?
Graves of the Fireflies is the most heartbreaking movie among the Studio Ghibli movies. Its core concept is around the mercilessness of war, which destroys the most important thing for an individual.
Q: Is Spirited Away scary for kids?
Spirited Away is not visually scary but is intense and unsettling for some younger kids. Some creatures in the movie might be scary because they look strange or grotesque.
Q: What is the most brutal Ghibli movie?
Princess Mononoke might be the most brutal Ghibli movie. It revolves around wars, death, and a little bit of desperation.
Q: Are Studio Ghibli movies kid-friendly?
For 3–8-year-old kids, they can watch films like Totoro, Ponyo, and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Other Ghibli films might be either too dark or intense for them.
