A vibrant, ocean-bound reimagining of The Little Mermaid focused on pure childhood joy. The Late Hand-Drawn Era: 2010–2020

A gorgeous, aquatic reimagining of The Little Mermaid completely drawn by hand.

Miyazaki frequently employs ma —intentional moments of emptiness or quiet rest. Characters peel potatoes, watch rain fall, or sit on quiet trains, allowing audiences to breathe. Essential Masterpieces for Every Collector

For those avoiding physical clutter, the complete catalog from this era is split digitally, with platforms like Max hosting the films in the US, and Netflix carrying them internationally. Why This Collection Endures

: The first official Ghibli release, a soaring adventure inspired by the Welsh miners' strike, exploring the relationship between technology and nature. My Neighbor Totoro & Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

A direct spin‑off of Whisper of the Heart , The Cat Returns was originally planned as a short theme‑park attraction before being expanded into a full feature. It is a breezy, 75‑minute fantasy about a girl who saves a cat prince and finds herself whisked into a kingdom of cats. Hiroyuki Morita directed it with a much smaller budget and a lighter tone than a typical Miyazaki epic, but its charm is undeniable, and it grossed $65 million worldwide.

Its 78% Rotten Tomatoes score is among the lowest of all Ghibli films, and many viewers were confused by its radical departure from the studio’s usual lush, detailed style.

If you are building a collection, these are the primary feature films released in that window, chronologically: Year Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Pre-Ghibli but foundational) Hayao Miyazaki 1986 Castle in the Sky (First official Ghibli film) Hayao Miyazaki 1988 My Neighbor Totoro & Grave of the Fireflies Miyazaki / Takahata 1989 Kiki's Delivery Service Hayao Miyazaki 1991 Only Yesterday Isao Takahata 1992 Porco Rosso Hayao Miyazaki 1997 Princess Mononoke Hayao Miyazaki 2001 Spirited Away Hayao Miyazaki 2004 Howl's Moving Castle Hayao Miyazaki 2008 Ponyo Hayao Miyazaki 2013 The Wind Rises & The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Miyazaki / Takahata 2014 When Marnie Was There Hiromasa Yonebayashi 2020 Earwig and the Witch (Studio's first full CGI film) Goro Miyazaki Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind