8 Ghibli Movies That Hit You Even Harder When You’re Older
Some may consider Studio Ghibli’s movies a kids thing, but Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata’s stories might be all the way more revealing and even traumatizing for the older audiences. Here’s our take on which films produced by Studio Ghibli resonate with adults much more than with children.
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata, Ghibli movies haven’t aged a bit decades after their release. The studio has always been about giving a purpose to its projects, but some of those might have a meaning way too hard for children to grasp and, well, for adults to process and reconcile with.
With every new rewatch, these movies are becoming an even more powerful social message, and even older audiences are having hard times while revisiting beloved stories.
‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004)
_37823.webp)
-
On Rotten Tomatoes, Howl’s Moving Castle keeps scores of 88% and 93% from critics and audiences
-
On IMDb, the movie is rated 8.2/10
Apart from the romantic background and a not less romantic love story, adults will find both Sophie and Howl as those they can relate to, with the former embarking on the journey of self-discovery and self-worth while the latter’s avoidance might seem something familiar to people struggling with anxiety.
‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Princess Mononoke has scores of 93% and 94% from critics and viewers
- On IMDb, the movie’s rating is 8.3/10
For kids, the movie might be a classic story of the battle between the good and the evil for the future of entire humanity.
For adults, however, this is nothing short of an environmental message about all the dangers that human ambition and moral ambiguity can bring along, resulting in a possible destruction of the entire world.
‘The Wind Rises’ (2013)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, The Wind Rises keeps scores of 88% and 85% from critics and audiences
- On IMDb, the movie’s rating is 7.8/10
In this case, kids will likely overlook the premise based on real events, seeing it as a story about dreams and love rather than something much more complex and obscure.
In reality, The Wind Rises centres on the emotional torture of a man who struggles to realise that his passion brings chaos and destruction to the world.
‘My Neighbour Totoro’ (1988)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, My Neighbour Totoro holds a score of 94% from both critics and viewers
- On IMDb, the movie rates 8.1/10
While kids are more centred on Totoro and the girls’ adventures, adults will sense all the distress and uncertainty that lies unspoken in the family house at the time when the mother’s illness might have the worst consequences possible.
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Spirited Away holds a score of 96% from critics and viewers
- On IMDb, the movie’s rating is 8.6/10
For children, this might come as a compelling adventure about Chihiro’s time in a different world full of completely unrecognisable creatures.
Meanwhile, older audiences will see a metaphor of growing up and having to take responsibility, as well as a message about the threatening nature of capitalism even in the spirit world.
‘Whisper of the Heart’ (1995)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Whisper of the Heart holds scores of 95% and 90% from critics and audiences
- On IMDb, the movie is rated 7.8/10
Viewed as a charming coming-of-age movie, Whisper of the Heart will resonate with those adults who have experienced struggles while trying to create something they’ve been dreaming about for years.
The movie is also a reminder of how easy it can be to get completely lost in your own ambitions while being swirled in monotonous routine.
‘Only Yesterday’ (1991)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Only Yesterday has scores of 100% and 82% from critics and viewers
- On IMDb, the movie rates 7.6/10
A story that recounts an office worker’s trip back home and her entire journey of reminiscing her life, the movie is an exploration of the tension that might come between teen dreams and harsh reality.
Older audiences might also relate to all the pressure the society is used to putting on its younger members when it comes to career ambitions, identity and relationships.
‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)
- On Rotten Tomatoes, Grave of the Fireflies holds scores of 100% and 95% from critics and audiences
- On IMDb, the movie is rated 8.5/10
Probably the most disheartening story Studio Ghibli has ever come up with, Grave of the Fireflies can be seen as a sad war story through kids’ eyes, but adults will be hit by the devastating impact of the war on innocent children who have no other choice but to resist the inevitable.
Seita’s decisions are something a kid of his age shouldn’t be dealing with, and this might be the part that hits the hardest.
