Those viewers looking to find Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix may be disappointed with the streamer’s offerings from the Japanese film studio. There are 22 movies in the Studio Ghibli library and just about every one is a masterclass in animation, storytelling, and character development. Hayao Miyazaki and his team have done something that not even Pixar was able to do; have nearly four decades of unimpeachable feature-length movies. It’s a testament to Miyazaki’s skill as a director and chairman and the talent of the team at Studio Ghibli.

Every Hayao Miyazaki movie is a Studio Ghibli movie, but not every Studio Ghibli movie is a Miyazaki movie, with other directors often trying their hands within the studio. That’s not where the confusion stops, however. As a Japanese movie studio, Studio Ghibli had to make several complicated deals over the years to ensure American audiences could view their films the way they are supposed to be watched and those deals and agreements have meant the movies are not available on every streamer, with only one being the place to watch most of them.

Only One Studio Ghibli Movie Is Available To Stream On Netflix — The Rest Are On Max

A Different Studio Owns The Streaming Rights For Grave Of The Fireflies

There is only one Studio Ghibli movie available on Netflix and that’s Grave of the Fireflies​​​​​​. The rest of the Studio Ghibli library is only available on Max. The studio signed an exclusive streaming rights deal with Warner Bros. in October 2019, so when HBO Max debuted in 2020, those тιтles were a part of the service (via ThePopVerse). It’s likely one of the most important strategic holdings of the streamer and when it rebranded to Max in 2023, the company was quick to remind users that Studio Ghibli movies would still be a part of the service.

The reason Grave of the Fireflies is not on Netflix is that, despite being a Studio Ghibli movie, its licensing rights were held by Sentai Filmworks, which allowed the studio to negotiate a different contract, which is why Grave of the Fireflies is not available on Max (via SlashFilm). It’s very unlikely the rest of Studio Ghibli will make its way to Netflix, so those wanting to watch those movies will need to sign up for a Max subscription, which can run anywhere from $9.99/month up to $20.99/month. Unfortunately, there are no free trial options for Max.

Studio Ghibli Fans Should Try These Movies On Netflix

There Are Other Acclaimed Japanese Animations On The Streaming Service

For those who only have a Netflix account and are craving similar films after Grave of the Fireflies, there are some similar options on the service that viewers may appreciate. The Imaginary would be a good choice, as a Japanese hand-drawn animation, and while it’s geared more towards children than the haunting Grave of the Fireflies, there are still plenty of dark and adult themes. Mary and the Witch’s Flower is another option and is a Japanese animation that follows a young girl who discovers a mysterious flower that gives her the power to be a witch.

Where To Rent/Buy The Studio Ghibli Movies Online

Most тιтles Are Available For Purchase On Amazon Prime Video

While most of the Studio Ghibli library is only available to stream on either Max or Netflix, it’s still easy to purchase on several platforms. Most of the canon is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime with rental prices ranging from $3.99 to $4.99 and purchase prices ranging anywhere from $8.99 to $14.99. Apple TV and Microsoft also have most of the library available for rental and purchase at a similar price point as Amazon Prime, with some тιтles having slightly different costs across each platform.