There is no right or wrong way to watch a Hayao Miyazaki film since each and every film has something special to offer viewers, whether they be fantastic characters, beautiful worlds, or just simple lessons of life. However, if you are planning to watch all of his films for the first time, the release order is not always the best way.
Instead, this watch order in this article gradually introduces the core ideas of Miyazaki, beginning with exciting adventures and then going on to introduce deeper themes such as nature, family, war, and childhood. Thus, once you reach his last film, you will see that many of his core ideas come full circle by then.
1. The Castle of Cagliostro Is the Best Place to Begin
Lupin III driving the car with his partner, Daisuke Jigen. | Credit: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Before even Studio Ghibli existed, Miyazaki directed this action-packed adventure featuring Lupin III. The film is unique compared to his other films, which is exactly why it should come first. Here you can enjoy a playful introduction without immediately getting immersed in his bigger concepts.
Rooftop pursuits, the car chase across the countryside, and the climactic sequence of the clock tower will familiarize you with some of Miyazaki’s passion for adventures. At the same time, you will get to see some recurring elements that will make appearances later on, including flying machines, enormous castles, and heroes who always choose kindness.
2. Kiki’s Delivery Service Makes Later Films More Meaningful
Kiki and her black cat Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
Following one epic journey, it is now time for an entirely different experience. Kiki doesn’t set out to save the world; she wants nothing more than to grow up, make friends, and believe in herself after leaving home to begin her year of witch training.
Scenes like Kiki losing her magic or flying to save Tombo clearly show the immense weight of small, personal victories. Seeing this early on will help you understand why Miyazaki values everyday experiences so much.
3. My Neighbor Totoro Teaches You to Think Like Miyazaki
Satsuki and Mei waiting at a bus stop in the rain with the forest spirit, Totoro. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
My Neighbor Totoro chooses quiet, everyday moments over a dramatic plot, and that is precisely what sets it apart from other films. In contrast to pursuing some major objective, the film encourages audiences to experience those little and innocent things with Satsuki, Mei, and the nice spirits of the forest.
The scene featuring the iconic bus stop with Totoro standing in the rain is absolutely memorable for a very simple reason: practically nothing takes place there, and everything feels like magic at the same time.
4. Ponyo Bridges Childhood Wonder and Epic Fantasy
Ponyo and Sosuke are eating a bowl of hot ramen. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
Ponyo keeps the childlike feeling of Totoro, but adds much bigger fantasy elements. The image of Ponyo running across giant ocean waves remains one of Miyazaki’s most joyful scenes.
The movie also introduces bigger ideas about humans living alongside nature. It keeps everything light and fun, making it the perfect bridge before the stories become more serious.
5. Castle in the Sky Opens the Door to Bigger Adventures
Pazu and Sheeta from Hayao Miyazaki’s film Castle in the Sky. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
This is where Miyazaki’s imagination really takes off. The search for Laputa in Castle in the Sky turns into a thrilling adventure filled with sky pirates, flying machines, and one of animation’s most beautiful fantasy worlds.
When Pazu and Sheeta finally reach the floating city, it is easy to see why this movie inspired so many filmmakers. It also begins asking bigger questions about power and how people treat the natural world.
6. Porco Rosso Shows Miyazaki’s Heroes Are Not Always Perfect
Porco Rosso from a still. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
Most of Miyazaki’s heroes are young dreamers, but Porco is completely different. He is older, stubborn, and carries emotional scars from the past, making him one of the director’s most interesting main characters.
The thrilling dogfights are exciting, but quieter moments like Porco remembering his lost friends give the movie its real heart. It shows that Miyazaki’s stories can be just as powerful when adults take center stage.
7. Howl’s Moving Castle Rewards Patient Viewers
Howl and Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
By now, you must have watched enough movies by Miyazaki to know that everything does not have to be explained in an obvious way. Howl’s Moving Castle is a film that feels dreamlike, and that is part of its charm.
Whether it is the moving castle wandering through the hills, or the fact that Sophie looks different because of growing confidence, the movie requires you to think emotionally instead of trying to solve every mystery.
8. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Started It All
Princess Nausicaä flying on her glider, the Mehve. | Credit: Topcraft
Even though it comes later in this watch order, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind served as the very blueprint that launched Studio Ghibli, and it’s where many of his greatest ideas first came together. You can see the foundation for almost every movie that follows.
This particular part, when Nausicaä manages to calm down the furious Ohmus instead of attacking them, is a great example of Miyazaki’s idea that being able to understand other people may be more powerful than fighting them.
9. Princess Mononoke Changes How You See Miyazaki’s World
San and Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
Princess Mononoke feels like an evolution of the ideas introduced in Nausicaä. There are no actual heroes or villains in the film since both sides believe they are doing the right thing.
The film continuously emphasizes that humans and nature are inseparable through elements such as the curse on Ashitaka’s arm and the death of the Forest Spirit. It is one of the deepest works by Miyazaki. Furthermore, it’s also one of those Miyazaki movies that deserves a live-action adaptation.
10. The Wind Rises Shows Miyazaki at His Most Human
Jiro Horikoshi and Naoko Satomi from the film The Wind Rises. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
Unlike most of his films, The Wind Rises has very little fantasy. Instead, it tells the story of a man chasing his dream while dealing with love, loss, and the cost of his work.
The dream meetings with Italian aircraft designer Caproni and Jiro’s quiet moments with Naoko make this one of Miyazaki’s most emotional films. It offers a calm break before the final two masterpieces.
11. Spirited Away Is Better After Miyazaki’s Earlier Films
Chihiro and Kaonashi (No-Face) from the film Spirited Away. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
Many people start with Spirited Away, but it becomes even more rewarding after watching the earlier movies first. You will notice familiar ideas about courage, kindness, greed, and respecting nature coming together in one incredible story.
Whether it is Chihiro helping the River Spirit, riding the train with No-Face, or remembering Haku’s true name, almost every scene feels richer because you have already experienced the movies that came before it.
12. The Boy and the Heron Is the Perfect Grand Finale
Ending with The Boy and the Heron makes the experience feel complete. More than any other Miyazaki film, it reflects on childhood, grief, imagination, and the stories he spent decades telling.
The mysterious tower, the talking Heron, and Mahito’s journey through strange new worlds all feel like echoes of earlier classics. Rather than simply ending a movie marathon, this film feels like Miyazaki looking back at his entire career and thanking fans for taking the journey with him.
Here is a quick overview of the watch order we have discussed above for every Hayao Miyazaki movie –
Watch OrderMovieRelease YearMovie Rating (IMDb)Where to Watch1The Castle of Cagliostro19797.6/10Prime Video, Hoopla2Kiki’s Delivery Service19897.8/10Prime Video, HBO Max3My Neighbor Totoro19888.1/10Prime Video, HBO Max4Ponyo20087.6/10Prime Video, HBO Max5Castle in the Sky19868.0/10Prime Video, HBO Max6Porco Rosso19927.7/10Prime Video, HBO Max7Howl’s Moving Castle20048.2/10Prime Video, HBO Max8Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind19848.0/10Prime Video, HBO Max9Princess Mononoke19978.3/10Prime Video, HBO Max10The Wind Rises20137.8/10Prime Video, HBO Max11Spirited Away20018.6/10Prime Video, HBO Max12The Boy and the Heron20237.3/10Prime Video, HBO Max
There is not one perfect way to watch Hayao Miyazaki’s movies, but this order lets his biggest ideas grow naturally from one film to the next. Now the big question: if you were introducing someone to Miyazaki for the very first time, would you follow this watch order or create one of your own? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
