If you’ve ever debated with friends over which Studio Ghibli film reigns supreme, Netflix just settled it with cold, hard data — and the answer might surprise you.

Three years of Netflix engagement reports (2023–2025) reveal that Howl’s Moving Castle is officially the most-watched Ghibli title on the platform, racking up 40.4 million views. But before Spirited Away fans start typing angry comments, know this: the race was won by a margin of just 400,000 views — practically a coin flip in streaming terms.

Interestingly, Spirited Away actually claims more total watch hours, meaning viewers spent longer with it even if fewer people hit play. Split hairs however you like, both films remain titans of animation, backed by the genius of composer Joe Hisaishi, whose score for Howl’s Moving Castle continues to dominate social media edits and fan tributes.

The Full Ghibli Leaderboard on Netflix

Rank	Title	Views (Millions)	Hours (Millions)
1	Howl’s Moving Castle	40.4	80.4
2	Spirited Away	40.0	83.5
3	My Neighbor Totoro	30.6	44.5
4	Ponyo	28.7	48.7
5	Kiki’s Delivery Service	15.8	27.1
6	Princess Mononoke	10.7	23.7
7	The Boy and the Heron	11.9	24.6

Studio Ghibli, the legendary Japanese animation house behind these films, has built a global cult following since its founding in 1985 — a legacy you can explore further on Wikipedia’s Studio Ghibli page.

With the second half of 2026’s engagement report expected soon, this rivalry is far from over. Spirited Away has the hours advantage, and one strong quarter could easily flip the crown.

While you’re in a streaming mood, check out more entertainment coverage like Agent Kim: Reactivated starring So Ji-sub over on TechnoSports for another binge-worthy pick.