A radical ‘B’ work. Takahata abandoned Ghibli’s lush painted style for watercolor, sketch-like digital animation—ugly to some, brilliant to others. It’s a series of 5-minute comic vignettes about a dysfunctional suburban family. No plot. Just jokes about a father losing his paycheck. Bombed in theaters. Now a beloved anti-Ghibli Ghibli film.
The most controversial ‘B’ work. Gorō’s debut was panned for stiff pacing and muddled themes. Hayao Miyazaki reportedly walked out mid-screening. Yet removed from comparison, it’s a flawed but beautiful meditation on mortality and balance. The ‘B’ here means struggling under impossible expectations.
If you are writing a paper on this collection, here is how scholars typically structure the 1984–2020 timeline:
Studio Ghibli Movie Collection (1984–2020) is most commonly associated with a 24-movie Blu-ray or DVD set
often sold on third-party platforms. However, it is critical to distinguish between official releases and unofficial "complete" collections, as there is no single official box set that contains every Ghibli movie. Typical Features of the 1984-2020 Collection
Unofficial "complete" sets typically include these features: Comprehensive Movie List : Covers 24 films, starting from the pre-Ghibli Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) through Earwig and the Witch Audio & Subtitles : Generally supports dual-language tracks in English and Japanese studio ghibli movie collection 1984 2020 b work
, often with additional subtitle options like French or Spanish. Video Format : Usually presented as a multi-disc set (often 6 to 9 discs) in Blu-ray or DVD. Bonus Content
: May include theatrical trailers, TV spots, and sometimes behind-the-scenes "Behind the Microphone" segments. Official Alternatives
If you are looking for high-quality, studio-approved work, there are two primary official collections:
Studio Ghibli Movie Collection (1984–2020) commonly refers to unauthorized or bootleg box sets frequently found on secondary marketplaces like . Official distributors like in North America and Madman Entertainment
in Australia sell these acclaimed animated masterpieces individually or in specific director-focused collections. A radical ‘B’ work
The year 1984 is considered the starting point because it marks the release of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
, the success of which led directly to the founding of Studio Ghibli in 1985. The collection spans to 2020 to include Earwig and the Witch , the studio's first full 3D CGI feature. Comprehensive Chronological List (1984–2020)
Below is the complete list of the 23 feature films released by Studio Ghibli during this specific timeframe: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Castle in the Sky (1986) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Grave of the Fireflies (1988) – Directed by Isao Takahata My Neighbor Totoro (1988) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Only Yesterday (1991) – Directed by Isao Takahata Porco Rosso (1992) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Ocean Waves (1993) – Directed by Tomomi Mochizuki (TV Film) (1994) – Directed by Isao Takahata Whisper of the Heart (1995) – Directed by Yoshifumi Kondō Princess Mononoke (1997) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) – Directed by Isao Takahata Spirited Away (2001) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki The Cat Returns (2002) – Directed by Hiroyuki Morita Howl's Moving Castle (2004) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki Tales from Earthsea (2006) – Directed by Gorō Miyazaki (2008) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) – Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) – Directed by Gorō Miyazaki The Wind Rises (2013) – Directed by Hayao Miyazaki The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013) – Directed by Isao Takahata When Marnie Was There (2014) – Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi Earwig and the Witch (2020) – Directed by Gorō Miyazaki
Hayao Miyazaki Returns to Studio Ghibli for New Film - Domestika
Entering the Digital Age
After a brief period of uncertainty and production shutdowns, Studio Ghibli roared back to life in the late 2010s.
Gorō Miyazaki directed From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), but the modern era truly began with The Red Turtle (2016). A co-production with Wild Bunch, it featured no dialogue and a different animation style, proving Ghibli could experiment outside its house style.
The decade closed with two massive hits. Earwig and the Witch (2020) was Ghibli’s first foray into full 3D CGI. While polarizing among purists, it represented the studio's willingness to evolve.
Simultaneously, Miyazaki came out of retirement to work on How Do You Live? (released internationally in 2023 as The Boy and the Heron), proving that the master storyteller still had tales to tell.
Must-Watch from this Era: