If you haven’t come across Studio Ghibli films before, you’re in for a treat. This Japanese animation studio has created some of the most imaginative, family-friendly films around, and they’re well worth adding to your watch list. We’ve picked 9 of our favourite Studio Ghibli films to watch with the kids that we’re sure you’ll love.
Don’t miss our best content straight to your inbox! Sign up now and get our FREE newsletters packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions.
I first came across Studio Ghibli films some years ago when my daughters were about 7 and 10, and was blown away by them. The animation is unlike anything you’ll see from Disney or other Western studios. The stories are unusual and the characters are quirky, creating something really unique.
These Studio Ghibli films are ideal for a family movie night, and definitely worth a watch!
You May Also Enjoy Studio Ghibli Films on Netflix
Give These Studio Ghibli Films A Try
#1. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
My Neighbor Totoro tells the story of two girls, Satsuki and Mei, who have moved with their father to a new house in the countryside, while their mother recovers from illness in a nearby hospital.
They discover they share their home with some unusual creatures and even stranger neighbours, including a rather large forest guardian the girls call Totoro. When trouble occurs, their new friends help them rediscover hope.
You May Also Enjoy The Best ’80s Family Movies To Watch With Your Kids
#2. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki’s Delivery Service is the adorable story of Kiki, a young witch, and her black cat Jiji. It’s tradition for young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon to learn their craft, and that night has come for Kiki, who follows her dream and embarks on the experience of a lifetime.
Kiki flies off with Jiji to find the perfect spot in a faraway city. There, a bakery owner befriends Kiki and helps her start her own business: a high-flying delivery service.
#3. Spirited Away (2001)
Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro and her parents, who stumble upon a seemingly abandoned amusement park. After her mother and father are turned into giant pigs, Chihiro meets the mysterious Haku, who explains that the park is a resort for supernatural beings, and that she must work there to free herself and her parents.
He gets her a job in a nearby bathhouse for the gods and spirits of Japan. Though the work is hard and the people strange, she perseveres. Her parents, meanwhile, are still waiting in the stockyard, and Chihiro must find a way to break the spell before they end up as the main course of a guest’s dinner.
Tip: Probably one for older kids (at least 8 years old) given some of the themes.
#4. The Cat Returns (2002)
In The Cat Returns, high school student Haru rescues a cat about to be run over, and discovers the cat is actually a prince named Lune. Suddenly her world is transformed, and her good deed is rewarded with a flurry of presents, including gift-wrapped mice. Out of gratitude, Lune’s father, the Cat King, asks her to marry Lune.
Haru is brought to the Cat Kingdom, where she starts to develop feline features. When she’s prevented from leaving, the Baron and Toto, two statues magically brought to life, help her gain her freedom. To change her fate, she’ll need to learn to believe in herself.
#5. The Secret World Of Arrietty (2010)
https://youtu.be/VlMe7PavaRQ
The Secret World of Arrietty is based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series The Borrowers, about little people who live undetected in a secret world beneath the floorboards.
Arrietty, a tiny teenager, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban home, unbeknown to the homeowner and housekeeper. Like others of her kind, she remains hidden, but occasionally ventures forth to borrow sugar cubes and other supplies. A secret friendship forms when 12-year-old Shawn meets Arrietty, but their relationship could spell danger for Arrietty’s family.
#6. Ponyo (2008)
Five-year-old Sosuke lives by the sea. One morning, while playing on the rocky beach below his house, he discovers a goldfish he names Ponyo, her head stuck in a jam jar. Sosuke rescues Ponyo and keeps her in a green plastic bucket.
Both Ponyo and Sosuke are fascinated by each other and promise to stay firm friends, until Ponyo’s father, a sorcerer who lives deep under the sea, forces her to return with him. What follows is an amazing underwater adventure for all ages.
#7. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle tells the story of Sophie, an average teenage girl working in a hat shop, whose life is thrown into turmoil when she’s swept off her feet by a mysterious wizard named Howl. After this chance meeting, she’s turned into a 90-year-old woman by the vain and conniving Witch of the Waste.
Embarking on an adventure to lift the curse, she finds refuge in Howl’s magical moving castle, where she becomes acquainted with Markl, Howl’s apprentice, and a hot-headed fire demon named Calcifer. As the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, our young grey heroine finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery.
#8. Castle in The Sky (1986)
Young orphan Sheeta and her kidnapper, Colonel Muska, are flying to a military prison when their plane is attacked by a gang of air pirates led by the matronly Dola.
Escaping via a magic crystal around her neck, Sheeta meets fellow orphan Pazu, and the pair join forces to discover the mystical floating city of Laputa, pursued by pirates and a government agent, both with their own designs on the sky kingdom’s legendary treasure.
#9. Tales from Earthsea (2006)
Based on the bestselling books by Ursula K. LeGuin, Tales of Earthsea tells the story of Ged, an archmage and great wizard. In the land of Earthsea, crops are failing and livestock dying. Two dragons appear from the storm clouds and devour each other, an omen of impending disaster, as the balance of the world nears collapse.
In his search for the cause, Ged meets Arren, exiled Prince of Enlad, fleeing a nameless Shadow. They journey through ruined landscapes and cross paths with Therru, an orphan girl with a fire-scarred face. Ged learns that the wizard Cob, in his search for eternal life, is preparing to open the door between the realms of the living and the dead, and has sworn revenge on the old and defeated adversary who once bested him.
You May Also Enjoy 101 Terrific Tween Movies The Whole Family Will Enjoy
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are Studio Ghibli films suitable for?
It varies by film. Gentle stories like My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo suit younger children, while films with more mature themes, such as Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, are better suited to kids aged 8 and up. It’s worth previewing a film yourself first if you’re unsure how your child will react to it.
Where can I watch Studio Ghibli films?
Studio Ghibli films appear across a range of streaming platforms and are also widely available on DVD and Blu-ray. Availability changes from time to time and can vary by region, so it’s worth checking your usual streaming service for what’s currently on offer.
Which Studio Ghibli film should we watch first as a family?
My Neighbor Totoro is a lovely starting point, it’s gentle, warm-hearted, and suitable for most ages. From there, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Ponyo are great follow-ups before moving on to the more adventurous or mature titles.
Related Articles
- Studio Ghibli Films on Netflix
- The Best ’80s Family Movies To Watch With Your Kids
- 101 Terrific Tween Movies The Whole Family Will Enjoy
Have you seen any of these Studio Ghibli films? Which one is your favourite? Leave a comment below and let us know, we’d love to hear from you!
Love Discovering New Family Films?
Browse more of our family movie picks and entertainment ideas, and save this list for your next movie night. And if you’d like fresh ideas delivered straight to your inbox every week, sign up for our free newsletter above.
