The Hayao Miyazaki Movie Roger Ebert Called ‘Disappointing’ Beats Spirited Away on Netflix

Studio Ghibli has given anime fans some of the most unforgettable movies ever made. From magical adventures to emotional coming-of-age stories, Hayao Miyazaki‘s films continue to win over new audiences even decades after their release. While many people would expect Spirited Away to be the studio’s biggest streaming success, Netflix’s latest numbers tell a different story.

Over the past three years, one Miyazaki film has quietly stayed ahead of the competition. Howl’s Moving Castle, which legendary critic Roger Ebert once called a “disappointment” compared to Miyazaki’s best work, has now become the most-watched Studio Ghibli movie on Netflix, beating Spirited Away by the smallest of margins.

Howl’s Moving Castle Took the Top Spot on Netflix

After Netflix started releasing its Engagement Reports, fans got to see exactly how popular these movies are on the platform. According to What’s on Netflix, the numbers from Netflix’s engagement reports released so far show that Howl’s Moving Castle has reached 40.4 million views, which makes it the most-watched Studio Ghibli movie on Netflix in the last three years.

The difference, however, is incredibly close. Spirited Away follows with 40 million views, meaning it is behind by only 400,000 views after three years. While Howl’s Moving Castle wins in total views, Spirited Away actually recorded more total hours watched, showing that both films remain just as popular with audiences around the world.

The result is even more surprising when you look back at the movie’s early reviews. Roger Ebert gave Howl’s Moving Castle 2.5 out of four stars. He praised its beautiful animation but felt the story became difficult to follow near the end, saying it was not as strong as some of Miyazaki’s other films (via Roger Ebert Review).

While the movie contains delights and inventions without pause and has undeniable charm, while it is always wonderful to watch, while it has the Miyazaki visual wonderment, it’s a disappointment, compared to his recent work.

Meanwhile, it isn’t hard to see why fans keep coming back to Howl’s Moving Castle. The animation still looks gorgeous, Sophie and Howl remain two of Ghibli’s most loved characters, and the story balances romance, fantasy, and the tragedy of war surprisingly well. Then there’s Joe Hisaishi’s music. Merry-Go-Round of Life has become so popular that people who have never even watched the movie have probably heard it on social media.

Other Hayao Miyazaki Movies Fans Can’t Stop Watching on Netflix

A still from Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle. | Credit: Studio Ghibli

The rankings also show just how much people still love Miyazaki’s most influential movies. Hayao Miyazaki has directed several classics that continue to attract millions of viewers years after their release.

Whether it is the magical world of Spirited Away, the powerful conflict between humans and nature in Princess Mononoke, the warm and comforting feel of My Neighbor Totoro, or the charming adventure of Kiki’s Delivery Service, these movies have remained favorites for generations of anime fans.

Here is the list of the 10 most-viewed Hayao Miyazaki movies on Netflix according to Netflix “What We Watched” reports from 2023 to 2025 –

Now the big question: Do you think Howl’s Moving Castle will stay at number one, or will Spirited Away eventually take back the crown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.