Studio Ghibli checklist: 6 movies to watch after 'My Neighbor Totoro' and 'Ponyo'

The complete list of Studio Ghibli movies is extensive. So, if you’ve seen My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, or Spirited Away, and are wondering what your next watch from the storied studio should be, I can help with that.

Of course, if you’ve never seen classics like Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, or Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, then those are all good titles to tackle sooner rather than later. Since those are some of the most popular Ghibli movies beloved by millions of fans.

But if you have seen a lot of those and are curious about what lesser-known movies to watch next, these are my suggestions. The titles are in order of suggested viewing. These movies should be available to stream on HBO Max in the U.S. or Netflix and other services in other parts of the world.

Whisper of the Heart

Whisper of the Heart has to be one of the most underrated Studio Ghibli films for the way it speaks so clearly to the desire to find your talent and passion in life. One of the characters knows they want to be a violin maker, even at a young age, which provokes another character to question what they’re good at and what they want to do with their life.

There’s a love (or like) story woven throughout. Mostly, that accents some of the naivety that comes with being young and immature. However, all of it, however cheesy, rings true to how it feels to be young, free, and full of hope, or dread, for the future.

From Up On Poppy Hill

From Up On Poppy Hill is one of the few movies directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro. The story revolves around high school students trying to save the building that their after-school clubs reside in. The deeper emotional hook is between two kids searching for the truth about their fathers, who were lost at sea during the war. There are a few twists which should keep you hooked throughout, but overall it’s a cozy story that evokes love and loss.

Pom Poko

Pom Poko is simultaneously hilarious and a cautionary tale. The story features talking raccoons who are facing deforestation of their home around Tokyo. Kids will likely love the characters who can transform, while there are plenty of inside jokes that should make adults chuckle. Ultimately, the story revolves around environmentalism and making the point that humans aren’t taking care of the planet the way we should be.

The Secret World of Arrietty

The Secret World of Arrietty feels like a mix between The Secret Garden and Mission: Impossible. Arrietty and her family are tiny people who live hidden in the cracks of an old home and borrow little bits of food and other supplies. They need to sneak around at night to collect the essentials. When a new boy moves in and spots her, she needs to decide whether she’s going to trust him to keep her secret.

Only Yesterday

For millennials suddenly feeling nostalgic about their youth, Only Yesterday will hit home particularly hard. The movie is about a corporate worker who takes a week off to head to the country and work in the fields, like she used to when she was in elementary school.

From her preparation for leaving to her time at the farm, the movie jumps between the present and the past, as she remembers her younger self and the memories that played a role in who she is now.

In some ways, it’s a simple and gentle film. But in other ways, it can really make you long for the past.

Grave of the Fireflies [content warning]

More people should watch Grave of the Fireflies, but you should also be clear-eyed before doing so that this movie is devastating. Despite being an animated film, this one about two siblings trying to survive on their own has the power to make anyone cry.

Although there’s no overly explicit violence or language, this one still needs a content warning just for its topic of child death. If you’re brave enough or just want to feel something, then this movie is absolutely worth watching once.