The animation is wonderful. Absolutely. But as films go, not one has been able to hold my interest long enough to keep me conscious.
I’m a film guy, for sure. So, I’ve tried. So many times. I’ve seen maybe four or five and they’ve all been some of the dullest movies I have ever seen.
I sincerely do not understand their popularity beyond being a foolproof sleep aid.
EDIT – It’s nothing to do with action. My favorite films have little to none, and are super slow in pacing. Engaging is the word. I just can’t for the life of me feel anything other than excruciating boredom when I try to watch these films. 🤷♂️
EDIT – Miss me with your film buff gatekeeping. Yes, I’m sure your personal favorite film, no doubt a five hour obscure French film screened precisely once in all of human history, is just fantastic. I don’t call myself a film buff because I’m not one, and y’all are exactly why I don’t wanna be.
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I’ve never met a mf who doesn’t like Spirited Away or Howls Moving Castle
You’re not the first person I’ve heard say this.
I disagree but everyone has their own tastes so I understand it. There are a lot of movies I think are boring but everyone else seems to enjoy as well.
I’ve seen spirited away and kinda felt the same thing but I’ve been too scared to verbalize it. I like anime, so I really wanted to like it but I just didn’t “get” it
I’m genuinely sorry you can’t get anything out of them. But there’s a reason they’re immensely popular all over the world.
Do you enjoy slower burn movies? Like a 2001 or old Westerns with slow build up?
I find a lot of Ghibli movies with more “action” tend to be slower burn, more deliberate, more paced. But then there are some like “From up on Poppy Hill” that are just slice of life stories.
Really depends on what YOU want a movie to be, I suppose.
i only like Spirited Away
the rest are pretty boring, Nausica is beautifully animated though.
I’ll give My Neighbour Totoro props for being surprisingly sweet but for the most part yeah, Gibli films are wildly overrated.
Grave of the Fireflies is boring?
I definitely get where you’re coming from but that is precisely why I love them, they just sort of meander, showing snapshots of life, of a moment not overly concerned with plot and such.
Certainly this isn’t all Ghibli movies, Mononoke defiinitely pushes the action forward, but I like how they’re sort of just low stakes comfort movies for the most part.
I agree. I watched 2 ghibli movies, spirited away and another one that I can’t remember and the whole time I was fuckin lost. I don’t know why People say they are better than Disney. Maybe now. But historically Disney is way better.
“You. Dirty. Bastard.” Everyone who watches this stuff back to back
Honestly they’re the most empowering films for girls I can think of. Also you almost definitely haven’t given it a good shot if you call Princess Mononoke a sleep aid. They’re beautiful, have fantastic stories, good soundtracks, and good characters. Not everything is for everyone, evidently, but they’re solid and if you can’t see why they would at least appeal to a lot of people you aren’t really trying to understand imo.
They definitely have a subdued approach that sets them apart from other Japanese animation releases.
But they’re all so different that I can’t help but feel like you are biased in some way, even though you say you aren’t. Spirited away gets going pretty quickly, and Howl’s even more so. I’ll admit that some of the others can be a bit sleepy though.
Have you tried Princess Mononoke? Or Nausicaa? Those are both geared towards an older audience, so you might like those more.
How can someone watch Grave of the Fireflies or Spirited Away or even Nasucia and say they are dull. Like sure, you’re entitled to your opinion, but what movie (animated) do you like?
I absolutely love them, but they I get that they have a peculiar pacing, and can sometimes feel a bit empty. In a way, I suppose it is part of their charm.
Strange, I find most films insufferably boring but not Ghibli
But the music is straight BANGERS.
Jesus fucking Christ. I’ve seen some terrible takes posted here, this is probably the worst. Congratulations, truly an unpopular opinion. Take my up vote.
The animation is top notch, but, yeah, the stories do not engage me at all.
This was hilarious to read but I disagree.
My toddler loves them, they keep their attention when they are home sick and they are not annoying to listen to while I work.
10/10
I have to say it’s refreshing to see an actual unpopular opinion in this sub
Feel sorry for you tbh, to me that’s like saying you never got the hype of music, but to each their own, I suppose.
i’m just wondering what other movies you think are too boring since you claim to be a “film guy”.
Did you enjoy Killers of the Flower Moon, Aftersun, Anatomy of a Fall or Portrait of a Lady on Fire?
not unpopular. I feel you, brother. I fell asleep during Spirited Away, the one and only time I’ve done that.
I get it. Think about it though, those movies came out in the 80s, you didn’t see stuff like that on TV here in the USA (well maybe more in the mid 90s). The only big animated movies were from Disney. Ghibli films are symbolic, emotional, shown in a very beautiful, and abstract way. They were created in a bygone era that’s made them legendary.
>I’m a film guy
>Studio Ghibli Films are Insufferably Boring
Something not adding up here
Definitely unpopular
Unpopular af
„I’m a film guy but I don’t have the attention span to sit through a film“ is largely how this reads honestly
Maybe you’re just attentionally challenged.
take my upvote for this very unpopular opinion.
terrible take.
and after seeing your top four movies, I question why you consider yourself a “film guy” lol
My wife wanted to watch them and so far we’ve watched
Spirited Away
Howl’s Moving Castle
Kiki’s Delivery Service
My Neighbor Totoro
Out of this list so far all she’s liked was Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service. I don’t entirely get the popularity either or the sudden rise either considering many of them are several decades old now
This is truly a dogshit, unpopular opinion. Take an upvote.
I mean, I personally find movies built gratuitous violence insufferable. Movies where there is just flat-out overkill. You already shot them, a few times, they’re already dead. Now you’re just getting off on beating and mutilating the dead body. It just feels like they’re fetishizing the death and the violence. Now don’t get me wrong, bad guys need to die in a story. I feel like these movies have no plot, whereas Studio Ghibli films have introspective, well-crafted narratives.
I like their movies but not to the point of watching them over and over again like I saw some fans do
I assume, as with Disney movies, if you you didn’t grow up with them, you’re less likely to enjoy them as an adult. They look incredible, but they’re not very entertaining, nor do they have a strong emphasis on characters or plot.
They leave empty room for the viewer just to enjoy the moment on purpose. Like watching nature. Or art. It’s ok if you can’t enjoy this, it’s not for everybody, these movies were never made to please and entertain most people, especially not outside Japan. Do you like other quiet slow paced movies?
You can be a film guy and not like every movie that is considered to be a good movie. I love most of the Ghibli movies but i can understand if someone finds them boring. But if someone would say that they are bad movies i would think that they have a bad case of brain damage.
My kid loves Totoro so I’ve seen it a million times. She even had a Totoro themed b day party.
Anyway I don’t speak Japanese at all but when it came around in an actual movie theater we went and it was all Japanese of course. Surprisingly better and more emotional, but probably only because I knew the story line so well.
Anyway I’ve got a crap ton of extra Studio Ghibli stickers and tattoos floating around the house lol
You might just be the spawn of Satan.
If you’re into planes or anything like that both The Wind Rises and Porco Rosso are pretty interesting but yeah they’re unfortunately extremely soothing films
Easiest upvote
Another genuinely unpopular opinion. I think people are finally getting how to use this sub
Studio ghibli films are unbearably boring to me as well
“I’m a film guy, for sure” 😂
Then two seconds later complaining about film buffs and foreign movies. Sure pal
Get fuuuuu@$#”@$ed
And here’s your upvote kind human for an unpopular opinion
I just love getting lost in the Handdrawn beautiful animations, the music and atmosphere. It often so restfull and cozy even Princess Mononoke.
>Yes, I’m sure your personal favorite film, no doubt a five hour obscure French film screened precisely once in all of human history, is just fantastic
Say the line, Bart!
Yes they are but they give me a perfect opportunity to take a nap while my daughter watches. I do love the animation too
Definitely an unpopular opinion.
Whilst I wouldn’t go as far as calling them insufferable, I also struggle a bit with them. There’s an almost stifling calmness to them that just doesn’t quite resonate with me. The artwork is incredible but I think anyone who has convinced themselves that they’re objectively enjoyable movies needs to check themselves…
Probably watch something else then.
Okay, special booyy.
Have you tried Whisper of the Heart? My personal favourite.
Oversimplified, It’s about the struggle to be an artist and creation.
That movie resonated with me deeply and I adore it.
Ghibli has a lot to offer, perhaps it’d serve you to find movie that’s close to your heart.
I’ve never disagreed with a person more. Have an upvote.
Shattered attantion span
I agree actually. For me they are incredibly boring
It’s a democracy. You’re allowed to be wrong
Imagine hating whimsy.
Obvious rage bait is baiting !
Fine. Take my angry upvote. I do not know How you find them Boring of all things.
I liked that all of my three friends with different tastes agreed with me that The Boy And The Heron sucks ass after the show
Even Spirited Away? I don’t like all their films but I’ve never met someone who didn’t like spirited away
I wouldn’t say they’re insufferable boring, but dare I say it’s kind of in the execution. I’m sure they read well, but there’s a flatness to all ghiblis, not sure if it comes from the 17fps thing or something else. I tried to watch boy and the heron and I fell asleep about 15 mins into it, woke up near the ending but really had little desire to go back and see what I missed. Think the only other Ghibli I’ve seen was princess mononoke and that left me the same way. Or if grave of the fireflies was one, that wasn’t that bad
Every time this sub pops up on popular I get the impulse to downvote, and then remember it’s kinda opposite day. What a terrible take, here’s your upvote.
I don’t think it’s hard to come up with a pretty objective definition of “boring” in movies, something like: Little to no plot, no action, little dialogue, visually uninteresting, slow-moving etc. Things that would challenge most viewers.
Ghibli films can’t be described as any of those things. I don’t think they are boring, you just don’t like them
now THAT is an unpopular opinion bordering on blasphemy!
The fact that you can’t or won’t say why they are dull says a lot, if you are a “film guy” how about an actual critique or even a reason why its bad beyond “its boring” which a small child could offer.
Saying it sucks because it sucks paints you as clueless, actually say why its bad?
Wow, your opinion is dog shit. I’ll upvote
Blocked
I definitely agree with you for about half of them. There’s some charm and whimsy to a simple adventure I find, so I enjoy them. I get sick of every plot needing to envelope a deeper meaning or extend a story until it eventually is ruined.
Rage bait from a teenager. Studio Ghibli films at their worst are utterly beautiful.
The less that happens in a Ghibli film, the more I like it, seemingly.
My favorites are Kiki’s Delivery Service and Whisper of the Heart.
The plots are very low stakes in these two compared to something like Spirited Away.
Totally get it. I have a suggestion. Try again in a couple years. I love the slower plots filled with the slice of life drama. I’m a hopeless cinaphile though.
That’s fine, I don’t like Akira.
Some yes.
But films like Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies nah.
That one film though with the raccoon nuts. I couldn’t even with that one. Terrible lol.
Ahh another ‘film guy’ who dismisses an entire studio with multiple animators, directors, writers, and actors as boring, even though it’s widely regarded as being some of the absolute best the genre and medium have to offer.
It’s like being a ‘food guy’ that thinks French food is gross. Lmao.
Thats courious! I work in a radio station and we have a cinema program: for this week episode i had to watch all of ghibli movies. I had only watched a couple of them before and OH MY GOD THEY ARE ALL BEAUTYFULL i usually don’t watch cartoons a lot but watching these movies i am amazed and I really love both world and characters! Tonight ill watch Mononoke!
Ps. So far my favorite was Porco rosso
Thank you! Finally someone said it! Tell me when we get a Spirited Away remake with Kevin Hart and The Rock.
I agree, I think my expectations were too high.
“I’m a film guy, for sure.”
I think the sense of calm and beauty is what appeals to people. Japanese stories also have a different type of story arch that can be difficult for American consumers to get into.
Those defensive addendums are hilarious. Don’t post in an unpopular opinion sub if you can’t take the heat!
I agree with you. Most of them, while beautiful, are pretty boring. I am a fan of anime and I enjoy some slower more plot heavy movies. But something about Ghibli just doesn’t capture me
I agree thw soundtracks are a highligh thp. I can play most of them and piano and some on violin
I disagree but I will admit I was bored silly by The Boy and the Heron.
I love Studio Ghibli but if you’ve seen 3 of their movies you’ve seen all of their movies
I agree. I find Studio Ghibli Films meh at best. Everyone disputes me on it, but I stand by that. The movies have their merits. I liked them as a kid. But as an adult? I don’t find them all that interesting.
They’re not terrible but they’re a 7/10 at best
Tbh I have to agree. I usually like slice of life animes and movies, and I do think Ghibli films are pretty to look at, and my sister is obsessed with them and made me watch a few. But they were so much more absurd than I thought and it didnt resonate with me at all. It gives me almost a creepy feeling, I cant explain it. Also whatever is happening seem to go over my head cause I dont remember the story lines. I feel whats happening in these movies are so absurd I just dont understand them
My only complaint is the endings are so rushed.
Which one Shake you seen cause there’s def some that are boring (marnie was there, where the wind rises) but ponyo, spirited away, totoro, porco rosso, howls moving castle? I can’t see how anyone could find those boring
What did you try from Ghibli ?
>Miss me with your film buff gatekeeping. Yes, I’m sure your personal favorite film, no doubt a five hour obscure French film screened precisely once in all of human history, is just fantastic.
This guy did the dumb meme.
Anyway I think there’s enough variance in all the Ghibli films that to throw a blanket “they’re all boring” over them is kinda nonsensical. How many of them have you seen?
Yea, unpopular, but I agree.
However, that’s the point.
When you find one that resonates with you, you feel seen
For me it’s Kikis delivery service.
Ghibli films aren’t really structured like American films, especially animated ones. So I get it. I don’t agree at all, but I get why someone would find them boring.
I agree with you 100 per cent.
Upvote for keeping the sub reasonably relevant. Also, I know exactly who you are. Good luck with life.
Yeah, that’s pretty unpopular. But some people do think that mostly older people
Agree. But I can’t do animated drama. It doesn’t click with me.
I spent a month watching every anime movie and 3 episodes of every anime show that someone suggested and by the end of it I confirmed I just don’t like anime. I love animated shows and films geared towards adults. I just don’t like anime.
Have you tried Princess Mononoke?
Sometime this sub is ragebait bait. But jokes on you. Ghibli fans are entirely too chill and well adjusted to take the bait.
That’s fine. I’m a huge Ghibli fan, but I know that it’s normal to have types of movies that you find boring. I, for one, find most cult classics boring as hell, especially if it’s western and not animated, but there are some that I still enjoy, like LOTR. On the other hand Ghibli movies are almost all masterpieces for me, they really hit the spot, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa of the valley of the wind and Kiki’s delivery service are some of my favorite movies of all time.
I’m curious what you’ve seen, and why you didn’t like those specific ones
This one hurts to upvote
Depends on which movies specially. I think they are hit or miss.
I need to disagree that the animation is wonderful. It is not. If you were raised on Hollywood golden age animation it is rudimentary.
That aside, at least some of these movies are legitimate masterpieces and if you can’t find any that move you, I do think that is a little sad.
I consider them the anime version of Hallmark movies
Couldn’t stand Spirited Away or Kiki’s And my wife absolutely will die on a hill for them.
I fell asleep during Totoro.
But I do enjoy the hell out Princess Mononoke.
Immediately upvote
Some of them are snooze fests for sure. Can you share which ones you’ve seen? It would be funny if you’ve just consistently chosen poorly.
I respect this so much. Unpopular for sure. I also kinda agree with you ish? Ghibli has incredible animation, music, etc, but for me? I feel like it lacks something that would make me, personally, like it more. I don’t know what it is and I don’t want to change it. There’s a reason these films are considered some of the greatest movies ever made. But for me? Everytime I finish watching one I’m kinda left with a “that’s it?” reaction. AGAIN ITS DEFINITELY ME AND I RESPECT THEM AS AN ARTFORM! I WOULD NEVER DISRESPECT MIYASAKI!
OP says in comments they can’t make it through the movies without coffee they kept falling asleep ? . Is this sub truly just meme troll posts now?
Wow, not good enough to hold your interest! What an incredibly discerning and high quality attention you must have that can’t even be satisfied by these beloved movies!
🙄
they’re not for me either, i appreciate someone else feeling the same
I mostly agree, but I loved Porko Rosso, you might wanna give it a chance.
You have to view them from the perspective of the time they came out in. Nowadays, yeah, it’s not going to hold up in terms of pacing and what not. But for the time? The animation combined with the storytelling was phenomenal. I feel you may have had a different opinion had you seen them growing up.
“I’m a film guy.”
edits “I would never want to be a film guy”
Film guy or not a film buff? Which is it? We can have a conversation about pace and visual story telling? But if you’re just mad something from Japan doesn’t have cyborg fights and seizure causing flashing images then it’s fucking quiet.
Theyre primarily slice of life movies, dont hate Ghibli movies, hate the slice of life genre
as a ghibli slut my bones shivered when i read this
Spirited Away is a masterpiece. That being said, after watching all the mainstream Ghibli films (and attempting to watch some of the lesser known ones), Spirited Away is the only masterpiece. From up on Poppy Hill, for instance, has actually put me to sleep three times. Kiki’s Delivery Service pissed me off with how unlikeable the protagonists were.
I love and respect Ghibli as a company, but this opinion isn’t unfounded. The movies leave the audience feeling warm, fuzzy, inspired, and in awe, but as a whole, the films are more *vibes* than substance. I can totally see people either being 100% invested in every detail or fighting to keep their eyes open.
Then like… don’t watch them? hahaha TRULY an unpopular opinion. Kudos!
My top 3 favorite Stuido Ghibli/Miyazaki films are:
Princess Mononoke
Spirited Away
Howl’s Moving Castle
I can see how some people may not enjoy these types of films like I do, as they do tend to have a slow pace and all. But there’s just something about the story, along with the beautiful animation that just really hooks me!
But, different strokes for different folks
No, the animations are abysmal as well. There’s nothing redeemable about that junk trash.
I think watching studio Ghibli as an adult is a whole different experience that can’t be replicated if missed out on in childhood.
Sort of. I mean, Spirited Away was… nice. Warm and charming in its own way. I just expected more.
Maybe its because everything I’ve seen before up to this point. After all, it originally came out 24 years ago…
Okay, but hear me out….
/s