10 Studio Ghibli Films Everyone Should See

8. Princess Mononoke (1997)

Princess Mononoke is a Japanese period drama which follows a young boy called Ashitaka who is caught up in the conflict between supernatural spirits guarding a forest and the greedy humans who wish to destroy it for precious resources. Miyazaki's ecological fable was the highest grossing film of all time upon its release in Japan and it was the first Ghibli film to receive attention worldwide, making it one of the studios most pivotal releases to date. When US distributor Miramax decided to edit the film for American audiences, Studio Ghibli sent them a katana with a note simply stating 'no cuts'.

Suffice to say, you don't mess with Miyazaki.

Why You Should Watch It: Despite its PG-13 rating, much of Princess Mononoke's success can be attributed to its unusually mature themes, which explore the consequences of destroying the environment through characters who are neither entirely good or evil.

Anyone who thinks animation doesn't have anything important to say needs to shut up and give Princess Mononoke a try. While they're at it, they might want to also sit back and admire some of the most imaginatively rendered animation they'll ever see. Just for kids my ass!