Studio Ghibli has been regarded as an animation powerhouse known the world-over for its unique stories, multi-faceted characters, and of course, stunning visuals. With that being said, it begs the question as to why I’ve only just started watching these films. It’s true; my window of childhood passed without any knowledge of what a “Totoro” was or how one can make a castle move, let alone in the sky. I was raised on good ol’ fashioned Disney classics and other western studio copycats, with little exposure to the world of anime. It wasn’t until recently that I decided it was time to expand my cinematic palette and dive into these critically-acclaimed films myself. In a way, I’m glad I waited until adulthood to fully immerse myself in Studio Ghibli because I would have missed all the little nuances and intricate themes found in each movie. That’s the beauty of Studio Ghibli: whether it’s the abundance of whimsical imagery or the relatable character-driven narratives, everyone can find some aspect to enjoy it regardless of age. And enjoy the movies I did (some a lot more than others), on a perilous quest to finish 22 feature films for the sake of ranking them from “well, that was underwhelming” to “I am now a changed person.”

This list was organized based on how effective I perceived the plot, entertainment value, and overall quality of each movie to be. You might be surprised to find that a lot of the more popular heirs to the Ghibli throne didn’t make the top spots, which means there are a few hidden treasures worthy of attention. Without further ado, I give you my quintessential ranking and humblest opinion.