A list of the best Studio Ghibli movies 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 generally what 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 entirely available on Max, Studio Ghibli movies 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.
You are watching: The 15 Best Studio Ghibli Movies For Kids, Including Spirited Away & Ponyo
15
My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999)
A Slice-Of-Life Story In Cartoon Format
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My Neighbors the Yamadas
PG
Animation
Family
Release Date
July 17, 1999
Runtime
104 minutes
Cast
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Masako Araki
Yamano Shige (voice)
-
Hayato Isohata
Yamada Noboru (voice)
-
Naomi Uno
Yamada Nonoko (voice)
-
Toru Masuoka
Yamada Takashi (voice)
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My Neighbors the Yamadas is 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 manga Nono-chan by Hisaichi Ishii, My Neighbors the Yamadas is 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 and the animation may be easier for young children to appreciate.
14
The Secret World Of Arrietty (2010)
A Charming, Breezy Tale About A Tiny Girl
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The Secret World of Arrietty
G
Anime
Adventure
Drama
8/10
Release Date
February 17, 2012
Runtime
94 Minutes
Cast
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-
Bridgit Mendler
Arrietty (voice)
-
Amy Poehler
Shou (voice)
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Inspired by the 1952 novel The Borrowers, The Secret World of Arrietty follows 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 in The Secret World of Arrietty and 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.
13
Pom Poko (1994)
Japanese Raccoon Dogs Fight To Protect Their Forest
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Pom Poko
PG
Animation
Drama
Fantasy
6/10
Release Date
July 16, 1994
Runtime
119 Minutes
Cast
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Shinchou Kokontei
-
Makoto Nonomura
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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, the tanuki use 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, the tanuki are cute enough to undercut the frights.
12
The Cat Returns (2002)
A High Schooler Is Sent On A Feline Adventure
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The Cat Returns
G
Animation
Adventure
Comedy
Family
Fantasy
9.8/10
Release Date
July 13, 2005
Director
Hiroyuki Morita
Cast
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-
Chizuru Ikewaki
Haru
-
Yoshihiko Hakamada
Baron
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A spin-off of Whisper of the Heart, The Cat Returns is 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.
11
From Up On Poppy Hill (2013)
A Simple, Sweet Tale About 1960s Japan
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From Up On Poppy Hill
PG
Animation
Documentary
Drama
Family
Release Date
July 16, 2011
Runtime
91 minutes
Cast
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Masami Nagasawa
-
Junichi Okada
-
Keiko Takeshita
-
Yuriko Ishida
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In From 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 Hill lacks some of the darker messaging present in other sweet and nostalgic Studio Ghibli movies, making it an engaging watch for young viewers.
10
When Marnie Was There (2014)
A Coming-Of-Age Tale Set In A Nostalgic Seaside Town
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When Marnie Was There
PG
Animation
Drama
Family
Mystery
Release Date
July 19, 2014
Runtime
103 Minutes
Cast
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Sara Takatsuki
Anna Sasaki
-
Kasumi Arimura
Marnie
-
Nanako Matsushima
Yoriko Sasaki
-
Susumu Terajima
Kiyomasa Oiwa
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In When 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 There is a beautifully drawn and kind movie about childhood friendships.
9
Castle In The Sky (1986)
A Thrilling Adventure Through The Sky
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Castle in the Sky
PG
Adventure
Fantasy
Animation
Action
Family
Release Date
August 2, 1986
Runtime
125 minutes
Cast
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-
Keiko Yokozawa
Sheeta (voice)
-
Mayumi Tanaka
Pazu (voice)
-
Minori Terada
Muska (voice)
-
Kotoe Hatsui
Dola (voice)
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Castle in the Sky is 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.
8
Only Yesterday (1991)
A Young Adult Thinks Back To Her Youth
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Only Yesterday
PG
Animation
Drama
Romance
Release Date
July 20, 1991
Runtime
119 minutes
Cast
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-
Miki Imai
Taeko Okajima (voice)
-
Toshiro Yanagiba
Toshio (voice)
-
Yoko Honna
Taeko (voice)
-
Mayumi Izuka
Tsuneko Tani (voice)
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Only Yesterday, based on the 1982 manga Omoide Poro Poro by 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.
7
Porco Rosso (1992)
A World War I Pilot’s Adventures In Italy
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Porco Rosso
PG
Animation
Adventure
Comedy
Family
8.7/10
Release Date
July 18, 1992
Runtime
93 minutes
Cast
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-
Shûichirô Moriyama
-
Tokiko Katô
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A highly underrated Studio Ghibli movie, Porco Rosso follows 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 watch Porco Rosso without understanding the deep reflections on regret and love, and still have a great time with the quick-witted Porco, and bloodless, cartoonish mayhem.
6
Whisper Of The Heart (1995)
A Young Girl Pursues Her Dreams Of Being A Writer
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Whisper of the Heart
G
Drama
Family
10/10
Release Date
July 15, 1995
Runtime
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111 Minutes
Cast
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-
Yoko Honna
-
Issei Takahashi
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Whisper of the Heart is 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 Heart is 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.
5
The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya (2014)
A Divine Girl Is Made To Be A Princess
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The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
PG
Animation
Drama
Fantasy
9/10
Release Date
November 23, 2013
Runtime
137 minutes
Cast
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-
Takeo Chii
The Bamboo Cutter (voice)
-
Aki Asakura
The Princess Kaguya (voice)
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The Academy Award-nominated The Tale of the Princess Kaguya centers on a bamboo cutter who discovers a tiny girl inside a bamboo shoot. The cutter and his wife raise the girl as their daughter, but their belief in her divine right to be a princess forces her into a life she doesn’t want. One of the few non-traditionally animated movies in Studio Ghibli canon, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a beautifully honest depiction of how people are forced down one path or another, all told in beautiful watercolor art.
4
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
A Young Witch Learns What It Means To Grow Up
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Kiki’s Delivery Service
G
Animation
Family
Fantasy
8/10
8.1/10
Release Date
July 29, 1989
Runtime
103 Minutes
Cast
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-
Minami Takayama
-
Rei Sakuma
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Kiki’s Delivery Service is a simple, charming tale set in a world where witches are not only real, but appreciated for their abilities. Kiki is a young witch who sets off to learn the finer points of being a witch on her own by starting a flying courier service. With small stakes, save for those that come with trying to fit in at a new place, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a wonderful film for kids with cute characters, exciting action, and memorable lessons.
3
Ponyo (2008)
A Little Goldfish Learns How To Be A Human
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Ponyo
tv-14
Fantasy
Adventure
Release Date
February 4, 2010
Runtime
111minutes
Cast
See All
-
Liam Neeson
-
Matt Damon
-
Betty White
-
Tina Fey
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In Ponyo, the title character is a magical goldfish-like creature who escapes from the ocean and bonds with a 5-year-old human boy named Sōsuke. As they become friends, Ponyo begins to turn into a human, against her wizard father Fujimoto’s wishes. Perhaps the Studio Ghibli film most suited for very young children, Ponyo is a beautifully animated and achingly sweet story about friendship and growing up. Parents be warned that you may end up watching this on repeat if you show it once.
2
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Magic And Friendship Come Together In A Touching Fantasy Film
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My Neighbor Totoro
5+
Fantasy
Family
8.9/10
Release Date
April 16, 1988
Runtime
86minutes
Cast
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-
Dakota Fanning
-
Elle Fanning
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In My Neighbor Totoro, two sisters move to an old house in the country with their father to be near their mother, who is recovering from an illness in a nearby hospital. The young girls discover a group of forest spirits, including the large Totoro, who help them deal with the grief they’re unsure of how to handle. An incredibly moving and unbelievably imaginative film, very young children and older people will love Totoro for different reasons.
1
Spirited Away (2001)
A Young Girl Travels To The Spirit World And Finds Her Courage
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Spirited Away
PG
Animation
Family
Fantasy
10/10
14
9.7/10
Release Date
July 20, 2001
Runtime
125 minutes
Cast
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-
Rumi Hiiragi
-
Miyu Irino
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Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s greatest movie, Spirited Away may have some moments that very young children may find too frightening, but the timeless themes and lessons combined with the mesmerizing artistry make it a film kids should be shown the moment parents think they’re old enough. 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino is traveling to her new home when she accidentally stumbles into the spirit world where she learns courage, the value of hard work, and why her life isn’t worth taking for granted.
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment