Top picks to help you navigate the studio's whimsical world

There's a reason why Studio Ghibli has amassed fans from all over the world: their animated films capture hearts in the most subtle yet unwavering of ways.

Luckily, all but one Ghibli movie can easily be accessed in Netflix. If the sheer number of choices turned you into an indecisive mess, or perhaps you want to know which one you should watch next, here's a guide to help you navigate the whimsical world of Studio Ghibli:

Coming of age stories with a touch of magic

Studio Ghibli's most popular works often involve kids who need to do some growing up, with the help of magical creatures and curious encounters. Take, for example, Hayao Miyazaki’s critically-acclaimed "Spirited Away," where young Chihiro had to learn how to be responsible for herself and others after being transported in an enchanted world.

This coming of age theme, propped by magic realism, is also present in these other Ghibli films, if you want to be reminded of your own quests for maturity back in childhood.

Beautiful visuals, ugly realities

There's often more than meets the eye in Ghibli films. Stunning visuals serve as sort of an intricately hand-painted Trojan horse that contain harsh truths about the world around us. Most notably, the realities of war ("Grave of the Fireflies," the only Ghibli film not in Netflix) and the destruction of the environment ("Princess Mononoke"). 

Aesthetics shouldn’t be your only takeaway from these films.

Love, in all its forms

From a transformative kind of love that can break curses to an innocent one through the eyes of a child, here are Ghibli films that will give you all the warm and fuzzy feelings.

Magic not needed

Even bereft of fantastical elements, these slice of life Ghibli films are still worth the watch as ordinary moments and simple stories of self-discovery pack an emotional punch.

—JCB, GMA News