15 Highest-Grossing Studio Ghibli Movies of All Time, Ranked

With the increase of their popularity through the years and the Western audience’s familiarization with the enchanting world of Japanese animation, Studio Ghibli’s films have become some of the most beloved, and their appeal is undeniable. Founded on June 15, 1985, by iconic filmmaker Hayo Miyazaki, the production company has earned a spot among the most celebrated and treasured in the film industry, even collecting Academy Awards over time.

As expected, given the overall quality of these films, Studio Ghibli’s box office earnings are phenomenal; Miyazaki’s most recent feature The Boy and the Heron is proving that once more as it slowly ascends to the top — but where does it rank among other popular Miyazaki movies? From The Tale of the Princess Kaguya to the iconic Spirited Away, these are the highest-grossing Studio Ghibli films in the international sphere.

15 ‘Only Yesterday’ (1991)

Worldwide Earnings: $1,455,081

While possibly one of Ghibli’s most overlooked features, Only Yesterday provides audiences with a touching coming-of-age story revolving around a twenty-seven-year-old unmarried young woman, now an office worker in the stunning city of Tokyo, who travels to the countryside to visit the family of her elder sister’s in-laws while looking back at her tender and nostalgic childhood in 1966.

Meditating on memories — particularly childhood memories — and the inevitability of growing old, Isao Takahata‘s movie makes for a touching, heartwarming, and even sad viewing. It is clear to whom Only Yesterday is aimed: the adult demographic still looking for a sense of belonging and fulfillment along the bumpy road of self-discovery. Only Yesterday was a success back when it was released, quickly becoming the highest-grossing Japanese movie of 1991 and one of Studio Ghibli’s hits with over $1,455,081 earnings.

14 ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)

Worldwide Earnings: $1,127,389

Naturally, most Studio Ghibli enthusiasts have at least heard of Kiki’s Delivery Service; a fan-favorite to many, the 1989 film focuses on 13-year-old headstrong witch Kiki, who goes on a mandatory self-discovery journey alongside her trusty cat Jiji and finds herself forced to supports herself by running an air courier service (aided by her mother’s broomstick) and adjusting to community life.

Kiki’s Delivery Service reflects on what was and what will no longer be. It is a thoroughly entertaining film about the struggles of growing up and coming to terms with yourself as a person, especially after moving out from living with your parents, pursuing your goals, and craving a path of your own. This is what makes the film so good and fit for both mature and younger audiences. At the worldwide box office, this picturesque Takashi Shimizu movie has garnered $1,127,389.

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13 ‘Spirited Away: Live on Stage’ (2022)

Worldwide Earnings: $1,455,081

The live-action version of the beloved anime classic must-see stays true to the original story. However, due to the top-notch animation quality of the beloved Studio Ghibli, it can be challenging to fully appreciate and immerse oneself in the stage production without immediately comparing it to the captivating movie and its stunning visuals.

In spite of that, Spirited Away:Live on Stage made impressive numbers at the worldwide box office, gathering more than 1 million dollars; this is not at all surprising considering how spot-on the costumes and set design are. While not the real deal, this is an engaging watch fit for newbies, theater enthusiasts, and those who absolutely love the film it was based on, as it provides viewers with an interesting take on the treasured story.

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12 ‘When Marnie Was There’ (2014)

Worldwide Earnings: $1,806,747

It’s not for no reason that this psychological drama earns a spot among the saddest Ghibli features; the truly heartbreaking When Marie Was There explores identity by focusing on a shy 12-year-old girl who is sent to spend time with her aunt and uncle who live in the countryside. There she ends up meeting the lovely Marnie, and the two eventually become really close friends. But is Marnie who she appears to be?

Melancholic and tender are two words to describe this childhood tale of trauma and alienation, which sends out a touching message about the importance of authenticity. Being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature marked a big achievement for Hiromasa Yonebayashi. However, the fact that When Marnie Was There was so beloved by general audiences too makes it even more special. It grossed $1,806,747.

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11 ‘The Red Turtle’ (2016)

Worldwide Earnings: $6,712,903

A co-production between Studio Ghibli and several French companies, The Red Turtle sees a shipwrecked man discover a desert island with a sandy beach surrounded by palm trees, a bamboo forest, and freshwater pools. However, the man soon finds that, every time he tries to sail away from a tropical island, a big sea turtle destroys his stranded raft.

Like many other Ghibli features, the high-grossing The Red Turtle focuses on environmental issues and sends a sensitive and poignant message about the powerful relationship between humankind and nature/animals. While an underrated one by the fan-favorite studio, this symbolic deserted island movie provides viewers with a simultaneously fun and thought-provoking time in front of the screen; many will not regret hitting the play button.

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10 ‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ (2013)

Worldwide Earnings: $19,312,701

Isao Takahata‘s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is one of Studio Ghibli’s most touching and possibly saddest features, given the themes it tackles of women’s oppression and restriction. The film centers around its titular character, a young woman coveted by five nobles. When Kaguya tries to avoid marrying a stranger she doesn’t love, she has to face punishment for her choices.

Earning $19,312,701 at the worldwide box office, this 2013 film takes tenth place among the highest-grossing Studio Ghibli movies. Although it isn’t the most popular of the bunch, it is pleasing to see that such a poignant film was sought by many audience members. Part of what makes it so memorable is its characters and, of course, stunning animation that fully immerses viewers.

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9 ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’ (2013)

Worldwide Earnings: $49,741,540

Revolving around a group of teenagers who attempt to save their school’s clubhouse from the wrecking ball in preparation for 1964’s Tokyo Olympics, From Up on Poppy Hill is an engaging comedy-drama that provides audiences with a simplistic, sweet, and lighthearted story.

Goro Miyazaki’s delightful 1960s-set melodrama has grossed over $49 million internationally, and it is not hard to understand why. While it is arguably not among Ghibli’s masterwork features, this charming effort from Miyazaki junior sends out important messages about adolescence, coming-of-age, and innocent romance, all while evoking feelings of nostalgia with its stunning color and absorbing storyline. Plus, it counts on the production company’s beautifully crafted shots that elevate it to higher grounds.

8 ‘Tales from Earthsea’ (2006)

Worldwide Earnings: $68,048,658

Tales from Earthsea is far from being among Ghibli’s best. Still, it gathered $68,048,658 at the box office. The ambitious film follows a mysterious force that threatens to bring destruction and chaos to humanity. It’s up to a powerful wizard named Sparrowhawk (Bunta Sugawara) to seek the source of his world’s imbalance and rescue a prince named Arren (Jun’ichi Okada). The two then join forces to stop the evil of destroying the land of Earthsea.

Despite its $68 million grossing at the box office, this slow-paced 2006 film isn’t a particularly good effort from Studio Ghibli. Tales from Earthsea‘s narrative drags for longer than audiences would like, and the characters aren’t as intriguing as other inhabitants of Ghibli’s cinematic universe. Still, the Goro Miyakazi film highlights important topics such as global warming and environmental devastation.

7 ‘The Wind Rises’ (2013)

Worldwide Earnings: $117,910,911

The bittersweet The Wind Rises focuses on a young man named Jiro (Hideaki Anno) whose lifelong dream is designing and flying beautiful planes, inspired by Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. The film chronicles his life, from 1927, when he joined a major Japanese engineering company and became one of the world’s most innovative airplane designers, to the creation of a 6M World War II fighter plane.

In spite of dividing audiences given its portrayal of war, which is said to have conflicted with the filmmaker’s anti-war stance, the Oscar-nominated Japanese filmThe Wind Rises is the first Studio Ghibli movie to hit the $100 million mark, and understandably so. A breathtaking, highly emotional feature, Hayao Miyakazi’s film is an inspiring watch that benefits not only from incredible visuals but also from a strong and enthralling narrative.

6 ‘Princess Mononoke’ (1999)

Worldwide Earnings: $150,345,863

Meditating on Shinto and environmentalism, this 1999 love letter to Mother Earth depicts a warrior stricken by a deadly curse, Ashitaka (Yôji Matsuda), as he finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and a mining colony named Tatara. In the meantime, he meets Mononoke Hime, San (YurikoIshida), who was raised by a wolf-god.

Not only does the stunning and thoroughly entertaining Princess Mononoke send out powerful messages about humankind’s failed attempts to dominate nature and Japanese folklore and religion, but it also does incredibly well at that. The Miyazaki-directed man-versus-nature movie is an essential among Studio Ghibli films; its astounding grossing of $150,345,863 further proves its relevance.

5 ‘The Secret World of Arrietty’ (2010)

Worldwide Earnings: $151,496,097

Based on Mary Norton‘s classic award-winning The Borrowers, The Secret World of Arrietty is a fresh hand-drawn take on the novel that follows a tiny teenage girl (Mirai Shida) who lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban home. When she meets 12-year-old Shawn (Ryūnosuke Kamiki), an unlikely bond forms between the two. However, their relationship threatens Arrietty’s family.

Charming and simple, this 2010 film has deservedly gathered $151,496,097 at the box office. Like other more popular Studio Ghibli features, the heartwarming The Secret World of Arriety is a film that deals with loneliness and friendship. Plus, it is the perfect pick for those who are “cottagecore” themed films, as it provides audiences with an entrancing, rustic world that fully immerses viewers.

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4 ‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)

Worldwide Earnings: $161,464,722

Ghibli’s latest movie, which was initially thought to be Miyazaki’s last, tells the story of a young boy named Mahito Maki (Soma Santoki) during the Pacific War. In the same vein as Spirited Away, the protagonist ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. While grieving his mother, Mahito ends up finding a new beginning in the fantastical world where he meets a talking Grey Heron (Masaki Suda).

The Boy and the Heron has quickly earned a spot among the production company’s highest-grossing, gathering a total of $161,464,722 all around the globe. The way it sheds light on important topics such as grief and responsibilities is one of its most valuable aspects. It is worth noting that, because it is still playing in theaters, the earnings for the 2023 film will likely increase even further, resulting in the film later taking a higher spot on this list.

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3 ‘Ponyo’ (2009)

Worldwide Earnings: $205,162,666

Among the most popular Studio Ghibli features is Ponyo, a film centering around a 5-year-old’s (Hiroki Doi) relationship with a beautiful goldfish (Yuria Nara) he finds trapped in a bottle on the beach of an oceanside cliff. After he rescues and names her Ponyo, he soon realizes that she is not an ordinary goldfish but rather the daughter of a masterful wizard and sea goddess. When Ponyo falls for Sosuke, she longs to become human, going to great lengths to achieve that.

Through its beautifully crafted storyline, Ponyo highlights how the world’s natural balance must be respected, reminding audiences of nature’s true value and how sacred it is to maintain a harmonious relationship with planet Earth, something that humankind often fails to do. Like other films by the astounding production company, Miyakazi’s film is a thought-provoking, essential watch that has made great numbers at the box office.

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2 ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004)

Worldwide Earnings: $237,814,327

The second highest-grossing Studio Ghibli film is Howl’s Moving Castle, which collected over $237 million at worldwide movie theaters. This tale of pacifism, beauty, and technological advancement follows a shy young woman named Sophie (Chieko Baisho) who is cursed with the body of a spiteful witch and reaches out to an insecure wizard (Takuya Kimura) who lives in a legged, walking castle for help.

This must-see Ghibli feature ranks high among the studio’s best, as it is elevated by an entertaining premise and some of the most memorable characters in their fictional universe. In addition to being exquisitely animated, the touching Howl’s Moving Castle is truly unique and creative, beaming with Miyazaki’s love for animation and the fantasy genre.

1 ‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Worldwide Earnings: $383,883,823

With a worldwide gross of $383,883,823, Spirited Away is the world’s second highest-grossing anime movie, only behind Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. This is not to wonder, given the Oscar-winning feature’s massive success and popularity. In fact, Spirited Away, which follows the story of a 10-year-old girl (Rumi Hiiragi) as she accidentally wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, endures one of the if not the most well-known anime tales in film history.

Dealing with themes of identity and isolation, Hayao Miyazaki’s stunningly crafted, surrealist Spirited Away is the quintessential Studio Ghibli movie and a great starting point for those looking to get into the films by the beloved production company. Furthermore, it is widely considered to be the best animated movie of all time.

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NEXT: The Best Studio Ghibli Characters, Ranked