A list of the bestStudio Ghiblimovies for kids includes some of the best animated movies ever, but there are a few wonderful titles from the celebrated Japanese animation studio that even die-hard fans may have missed, and young children will fall in love with.Hayao Miyzaki’s movies are generallywhat come to mind when you think of Studio Ghibli, and for good reason. The Japanese animator and director co-founded the studio after all, but he didn’t do it alone. Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki formed a triumvirate with Miyazaki in 1985 to form Studio Ghibli.
These three filmmakers and the talented animators and directors they’ve recruited have put out more films than Miyazaki faithfuls may realize. While none of them can claim to rank among the best of his lauded works, they’re still some of the finest movies animation has yet to offer. Now almost entirelyavailable on Max, Studio Ghiblimovies have never been easier to watch. Studio Ghibli films are well known for their heavy themes, that may even frighten younger viewers, but there are still a significant number that are perfect for kids, and maybe even necessary viewing for them.
My Neighbors the Yamadasis directed by Isao Takahata and is animated in a unique comic strip aesthetic, a departure from the traditional animation style that Studio Ghibli is known for. Based on the yonkoma mangaNono-chanby Hisaichi Ishii,My Neighbors the Yamadasis a series of short stories that follows the members of the Yamada family as they go about their day. It’s very atypical compared to the usual epic, philosophical Ghibli fare, but it’s still a charming, intelligent tale andthe animation may be easier for young children to appreciate.
Inspired by the 1952 novelThe Borrowers,The Secret World of Arriettyfollows a family of tiny people who live in secret within the walls and floorboards of a happy home. There, Arrietty and her mother and father take just what they need to live, but their secret lives are soon threatened by a nosy housekeeper. There’s little in the way of major conflict inThe Secret World of Arriettyand young children may like the easy-flowing nature of the plot, and will absolutely love the ingenious ways Arrietty uses human-sized items in her home.
Pom Poko, directed by Isao Takahata, depicts a colony of Japanese raccoon dogs, a real animal native to the country, living in the forests around Tokyo. As humans encroach on their lands, destroying their trees, thetanukiuse their magical shape-shifting powers to fight back. It’s an example of how it’s not just Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli who is concerned with the environment. The wise lessons about treating nature with respect are good for every child and, while some of the transformations may be a little scary, thetanukiare cute enough to undercut the frights.
A spin-off ofWhisper of the Heart,The Cat Returnsis the first Studio Ghibli film directed by Hiroyuki Morita, in his only feature film directing credit. The movie stars Haru Yoshioka, a shy high school girl who has suppressed her ability to speak with cats. When she decides to speak with one after saving its life, she’s whisked away to the Cat Kingdom where she has to escape a scheming King. It’s a fantastical and wonderfully animated adventure with the perfect amount of action and romance to keep young kids interested without boring them.
InFrom Up on Poppy Hill, the second Studio Ghibli movie by Goro Miyazaki, Umi Matsuzaki is a high school girl living in 1963 Yokohama, Japan. Umi lives in a boarding house called the “Coquelicot Manor” and goes to school nearby. There, she meets Shun Kazama, and the pair decide to clean up the school’s old clubhouse before a real estate developer can demolish it.From Up on Poppy Hilllacks some of the darker messaging present in other sweet and nostalgic Studio Ghibli movies, making it an engaging watch for young viewers.
InWhen Marnie Was There, based on Joan G. Robinson’s 1967 novel of the same name, Anna Sasaki is a 12-year-old adopted girl who is sent to live with her foster mother’s family in a rural seaside town. There, she stumbles across an abandoned mansion, and meets a mysterious young girl there named Marnie. The two become quick friends, even as the questions about Marnie’s origins grow.When Marnie Was Thereis a beautifully drawn and kind movie about childhood friendships.
Castle in the Skyis the second film Studio Ghibli produced and it’s first suitable for children. In the fantasy adventure, two orphans, Sheeta and Pazu, are on the run from government agents, the army, and pirates. Everyone is after Sheeta’s crystal necklace, which is said to allow access to Laputa, a legendary castle floating in the sky.This is the Hayao Miyazaki film where he first started to develop the interests that would later inform a lot of his movie making, including aircraft and retro futurism. It’s focus on young children as heroes makes it great for kids.
Only Yesterday, based on the 1982 mangaOmoide Poro Poroby Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone, follows Taeko Okajima, a 27-year-old who looks back on her life as a 10-year-old while on holiday with her family. Themes of memory and nostalgia may go over some younger viewers' heads, but it’s highly sensitive depiction of young people, particularly young women, makes it an important watch for children.
A highlyunderrated Studio Ghibli movie,Porco Rossofollows the titular World War I ace, who at some point was transformed into a pig. Porco now works as a mercenary, fighting mercenaries for sport in the beautiful Adriatic. Young people can watchPorco Rossowithout understanding the deep reflections on regret and love, and still have a great time with the quick-witted Porco, and bloodless, cartoonish mayhem.
Whisper of the Heartis an animated romantic film that follows a high schooler named Shizuku Tsukishima who wants to be a writer, but feels compelled to continue her school studies by her overbearing parents.Whisper of the Heartis a light and moving story that young people in particular will relate to. Inspiration and aspiration are both in play in the film, important ideals for any child to understand.
