10 Studio Ghibli Films Everyone Should See

2. Spirited Away (2001)

What!? Spirited Away isn't number 1!? I know, I know. Calm down fanboys. Let's focus on the positives.

Spirited Away is one of the single most important animations ever created as it thrust Studio Ghibli and anime at large into the international mainstream. The story of Chihiro working in a bathhouse to save her parents who have been transformed into pigs is quintessential Miyazaki. Environmental issues? Check. Conflict between tradition and modernity in Japanese society? Check. Freaky-ass looking spirits inspired by Japanese mythology? Double check. This is modern fairytale storytelling at its best. Just pray they don't attempt a live action remake one day. I bet Ghibli will send the producers more than just a katana next time.

Why You Should Watch It: It. Won. An. Oscar.

Sure Spirited Away only had to face off against the likes of Ice Age, Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, but that's still pretty impressive, right? Just go see it already. Spirited Away is awesome!

Contributor
Contributor

David is a primary school teacher who tries his best to turn every math lesson into a discussion on the latest Pixar film. Passions include superheroes, zombies and Studio Ghibli. In between going to the cinema, moving to South Korea and eating his body weight in KFC, David writes for a number of movie sites, http://becarefulyourhand.blogspot.co.uk/