Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and the filmmaker behind beloved movies including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service, spooked fans everywhere when he announced his retirement back in 2013. Luckily, it didn’t stick, and soon Miyazaki was announcing his return to the industry to work on his next — and potential final — project, The Boy and the Heron (originally titled How Do You Live?), which, after nearly a decade in development, will finally hit theaters in the US this week.
Described as “semi-autobiographical,” the new Miyazaki movie tells the tale of a young boy grappling with the loss of his mother during the Pacific War. In the midst of his grief, he encounters a grey heron who whisks him away to a magical realm. The English dubbed version of the film features voice acting from Luca Padovan, Robert Pattinson, Karen Fukuhara, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe and Dave Bautista.
Some critics are already calling The Boy and the Heron Miyazaki’s magnum opus — but the filmmaker already has so many excellent movies to choose from. To mark the release of this long-awaited new Studio Ghibli movie (which may be Miyazaki’s last), here’s an updated ranking of Hayao Miyazaki’s best Studio Ghibli films, plus how to watch them. But first, here’s what to know about The Boy and the Heron.
When does The Boy and the Heron come out?
Miyazaki’s newest Studio Ghibli movie will be released in the US starting Dec. 8, 2023 (though limited early screenings are ongoing). The Boy and the Heron initially premiered at TIFF, where it received overwhelming praise.
Will The Boy and the Heron be in IMAX?
It’s official, in addition to its wide US theatrical release, The Boy and the Heron will also be released in IMAX — the first-ever Studio Ghibli film to have an IMAX release.
Hayao Miyazaki’s top 10 Studio Ghibli films ranked by Rotten Tomatoes score
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Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) — 98%
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The Boy and The Heron (2023) — 97%
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Castle in the Sky (1986) — 96%
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Spirited Away (2001) — 96%
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Porco Rosso (1992) — 96%
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Princess Mononoke (1997) — 93%
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My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — 93%
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Ponyo (2008) — 91%
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Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) — 90%
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The Wind Rises (2013) — 88%
How to watch Hayao Miyazaki’s top 10 Studio Ghibli films
With countless hit films under his belt, it can be hard to keep up with all of Miyazaki’s work. Here are the filmmaker’s top 10 best movies (according to their Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer scores)
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) — 98%
According to tradition, when Kiki the witch turns 13, it’s time for her to leave home with her feline companion and spend a year somewhere new, all on her own. Kirsten Dunst voices the titular teen in Kiki’s Delivery Service (English dub), now streaming on HBO’s Max.
The Boy and The Heron (2023) — 97%
A young boy struggling with grief after the loss of his mother enters a magical realm upon the guidance of a pesky grey heron. Luca Padovan, Robert Pattinson, Karen Fukuhara, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe and Dave Bautista join the voice cast for the English dubbed version of The Boy and the Heron, now playing in theaters.
Castle in the Sky (1986) — 96%
A pair of orphans harboring a magical necklace attempt to outrun a secret agent, the army and a band of pirates, seeking safety in a mythical floating castle. James Van Der Beek and Anna Paquin star in the English dub of Castle in the Sky, now streaming on Max.
Spirited Away (2001) — 96%
A 10-year-old girl must work to save her parents from being permanently transformed into pigs after they take a wrong turn and wind up trapped in the spirit world. Spirited Away is currently streaming on Max.
Porco Rosso (1992) — 96%
Porco Rosso follows a retired Italian World War I fighter pilot now working as a bounty hunter who has been cursed to have the head of a pig. Michael Keaton voices Porco in the English dub of Porco Rosso, now streaming on Max.
Princess Mononoke (1997) — 93%
A young prince ventures into the forest searching for a way to break his curse and accidentally becomes caught in the war between the gods of the forest and the humans trying to survive there. Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Billy Bob Thornton, Minnie Driver and Jada Pinkett Smith voice the English dub of Princess Mononoke, now streaming on Max.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — 93%
While their mother recovers from an illness, a father and his two young girls relocate to an old house in the country, where they befriend some kind spirits. Real life siblings Dakota and Elle Fanning voice the little girls in My Neighbor Totoro, now streaming on Max.
Ponyo (2008) — 91%
A goldfish princess befriends a little boy and uses her magic to become human — despite some devastating consequences. Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, Tina Fey, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett and Liam Neeson star in the English version Ponyo, currently streaming on Max.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) — 90%
After civilization has been mostly wiped away by an ecocide, one brave princess must stand against a powerful kingdom who wishes to eradicate the nearby population of giant mutant insects. Alison Lohman, Patrick Stewart, Shia LaBeouf and Uma Thurman voice the English version of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Although this Miyazaki movie was initially released prior the formation of Studio Ghibli, it is widely considered a Ghibli film. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is streaming on Max.
The Wind Rises (2013) — 88%
The Wind Rises tells the slightly fictionalized tale of the life of Jiro Horikoshi — designer of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft flown by the Empire of Japan during World War II. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Martin Short and Werner Herzog voice the English dub of The Wind Rises, which is streaming now on Max.
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Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
