Every Studio Ghibli Movie Ranked Worst To Best
12. When Marnie Was There (2014)
Adapted from one of Miyazaki's favourite books, When Marnie was There ended up being directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, as producer Toshio Suzuki thought he'd be better at handling the film's subtly than the master himself.
This proved to be a great move, as When Marnie was There required a deft hand in bringing its mystery to life. Miyazaki is a genius of imagination, but Yonebayashi's quiet approach allows the film to shine with a vital gracefulness.
Following a young woman who's sent to live in the country after a health scare, the drama is restrained and mysterious, as she befriends someone who may or may not be a ghost and finds herself unravelling.
Initially regarded as Ghibli's swan song before Miyazaki reversed his retirement, When Marnie was There is a beautiful elegy for everything the studio stands for. If it did end here, who could blame them?