In the world of anime, there are animation studios, and then there’s Studio Ghibli. While it’s not the oldest anime production company in the business today, thanks to titles like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle, it’s the one that most Westerners are familiar with. Whether you watched Studio Ghibli movies on Toonami in the 2000s or discovered them on HBO Max, they’re known around the world and have even won Oscars.
Most anime fans love Ghibli for its painstaking attention to detail and how whimsical its characters and worlds are. No matter how you slice it, nothing can really compare to the naturalistic beauty of a Studio Ghibli movie. And while you may know the studio for its big hits, its library spans nearly half a century worth of titles, some of which have become overlooked. So, with Ghibli Fest 2025 currently underway, let’s take a look at 10 of Studio Ghibli’s most underrated films and where you can watch them.
Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
While this isn’t strictly a Studio Ghibli movie, given that it was released before the foundation of the studio, Hayao Miyazaki did direct it, so it counts as part of the Ghibli canon. Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro is a simple movie in a lot of ways, filled with a lot of classic adventure tropes like saving a princess and discovering a lost civilization. However, that simplicity is what makes The Castle of Cagliostro such a fun adventure, with a lighthearted tone that channels a dapper gentleman thief aura that is a bit more sanitized than other interpretations of Lupin III. While it may not be 100% accurate, it makes the film great for families looking for an adventure movie that anyone can get behind.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Another technicality for the same reasons as The Castle of Cagliostro, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is a much more ambitious film for Miyazaki, mostly because of how committed he is to fleshing out the world and the dire straits it’s in. The amount of lore present in Nausicaa is impressive, with a lot of its themes and ideas serving as direct inspiration for Princess Mononoke. The film manages to have its own unique elements, like the giant creatures used to make the climax as visually impressive as it is, and would serve as the inspiration for a lot of later fantasy anime like Zenshu. Honestly, if you like Princess Mononoke but wished that it was a bit more straightforward, then Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind would be a perfect watch.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies is a tough watch. It’s one of the most down-to-earth and realistic depictions of post-World War II Japan out there, and it makes sure you’re aware of how brutal recovering from that war was. The focus is on two children, Seita and Setsuko, as they attempt to find a way to survive, and it’s gut-wrenching to watch solely because it focuses on two impoverished kids. The suffering they experience is hard to see, and there’s very little joy they experience, but it’s so wonderfully executed that you have to respect Studio Ghibli for producing such a frank and honest look at the horrors of war and how it impacts survivors. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s a great anti-war movie that will almost certainly make you cry.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
This may be the most well-known underrated Studio Ghibli film, because while not many people have seen Kiki’s Delivery Service, those who have absolutely love it. Like The Castle of Cagliostro, it’s a simple movie, but instead of telling a huge adventure, it focuses on a little witch just living her life in a small town. There’s very little conflict in the film, channeling that slice-of-life energy that would become commonplace decades later, as we watch Kiki fly her broomstick, make deliveries, and play with her cat. It’s the definition of a cozy movie, and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to take a load off and just relax.
Porco Rosso (1992)
Studio Ghibli rarely does comedies, but Porco Rosso can easily be classified as one. Its premise is silly, as we follow a gruff pig captain getting into dogfights, trying to win the heart of his close friend, and avoiding the Italian Air Force. There’s a sense of adventure in Porco Rosso as we watch Porco freely fly across the sky and see on full display Miyazaki’s love of aviation. Plus, thanks to its small but lovable cast of characters like Porco, his rival Curtis, and Porco’s assistant Fio, the chemistry between them is rock solid, making this a great adventure movie for those looking for something on the lighter side but with a snarky edge.
The Cat Returns (2002)
Who doesn’t love cats? Someone at Studio Ghibli clearly does because The Cat Returns is filled to the brim with anthropomorphic cats and is an easygoing fantasy adventure to boot. Many people were probably scared away from it because it’s technically a spin-off of another Ghibli film called Whisper of the Heart, but don’t let that stop you from watching it, since the only thing you need to know from that movie is that the main character of The Cat Returns, Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, featured in it. It’s a fun and cheery film, with even the most serious moments coming across as fairly silly, and the bright colors really do pop when compared to some of Ghibli’s earlier library. If you liked The Princess Bride and want another fun adventure like it, then The Cat Returns will probably scratch that itch.
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
There’s a real sense of magic and wonder to every shot of The Secret World of Arrietty painting even a cozy cottage as a fantastical world ripe for exploration. There’s not a whole lot of a plot to Arrietty, which instead focuses on being an animation showcase for Ghibli. The art direction is to die for here and helps to make the story feel like a classic fairytale come to life. This is great introduction for young children to the world of anime, and even adults can find something comforting about just how easygoing The Secret World of Arrietty is.
The Wind Rises (2013)
In a lot of ways, The Wind Rises is the embodiment of Hayao Miyazaki as a director. Unlike his earlier films, The Wind Rises is a biopic about a World War II aeronautical engineer, giving the film a unique flavor when compared to the rest of the studio’s library. Miyazaki painstakingly animates every single plane featured in the film, giving aviation enthusiasts something to fawn over. It’s also a surprisingly mature movie that is layered with plenty of depth, delving into topics like legacy, nature, and the corruption of art and beauty. Because of that, families can watch it but only adults will appreciate The Wind Rises for what it truly is. It’s a perfect encapsulation of Miyazaki as a creator and is worth watching just to get a glimpse of his core beliefs.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Whenever you think of Studio Ghibli, the studio’s signature character designs and art style are often among the first things that come to mind. The Tale of Princess Kaguya forgoes the studio’s signature style and instead animates the film like a watercolor painting, which results in some of the best animated sequences the studio has ever produced. For those who love Japanese folklore, it’s also a fairly accurate telling of the myth of the Bamboo Cutter, one of the most popular stories from the country. It’s a film that puts its artistry first, which may have resulted in it not being quite as popular as some of the more energetic movies Ghibli is known for, but it still manages to command attention from its stunning animation alone.
The Red Turtle (2016)
No one blames you if you have never heard of The Red Turtle. While technically a Studio Ghibli film, most of the creative staff are French, as are the numerous animation studios that came on to assist production. Whether that makes this a true Ghibli movie is irrelevant because The Red Turtle continues a lot of the same ideas that the studio is known for. Naturalistic beauty? Check. A simple yet thought-provoking narrative? Check. However, it does have its own specific quirks that make it stand out, like how the film is actually more of a romance and how the entire movie has no dialogue whatsoever. It’s unconventional to be sure, but the world needs more unconventional love stories, so The Red Turtle’s existence is appreciated.
Where To Watch Underrated Studio Ghibli Movies Online
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