Guillermo Del Toro Names His Favorite Studio Ghibli Film

Highlights

Guillermo Del Toro regards My Neighbor Totoro as his top pick among Studio Ghibli films, lauding Hayao Miyazaki for his poignant storytelling.
Del Toro’s collaboration with acclaimed game designer Hideo Kojima on Death Stranding has left a significant mark in the gaming industry.
The director is currently working on Frankenstein, featuring a star-studded cast.

Celebrated for his unique ability to intertwine horror and fantasy, filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro has named My Neighbor Totoro as his all-time favorite Studio Ghibli movie. He describes Hayao Miyazaki’s storytelling as “painfully beautiful,”emphasizing that such artistry is rare among filmmakers. As a multifaceted creator—filmmaker, author, and artist—Del Toro has masterfully blended elements of fairy tales, gothicism, and horror into his works. His influential films, including Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Hellboy, showcase his passion for fusing monsters with thematic depth.

In addition to his accomplishments in film, Del Toro is highly regarded in the video game realm. Renowned game designer Hideo Kojima, famous for the Metal Gear Solid series, has credited Del Toro with “saving”his career and inspiring him to pursue innovative game development projects. Their creative synergy began with the initial concepts for P.T. and the now-defunct Silent Hills, culminating in their collaboration on the critically acclaimed Death Stranding where Del Toro’s likeness was used for the character Deadman, alongside Norman Reedus as the lead character.

Guillermo Del Toro’s Favorite Studio Ghibli Film

In a recent interview with Far Out Magazine, Del Toro shared his deep admiration for My Neighbor Totoro, highlighting that Studio Ghibli films possess a signature quality. He stated, “Miyazaki shows you something impossibly and painfully beautiful. This is something that very few filmmakers achieve.” Del Toro’s appreciation for Miyazaki likely stems from the latter’s knack for weaving darker themes into otherwise whimsical narratives—a style that resonates with Del Toro’s own filmmaking approach.

Del Toro’s direction of Pacific Rim in 2013 was initially intended to pave the way for a sequel, which he co-wrote with Zack Penn. However, his vision for the sequel was complicated when the production company was acquired by a Chinese conglomerate for $3.5 billion. To commemorate the film’s tenth anniversary, Del Toro reflected on why he opted not to direct the sequel, titled Uprising, choosing instead to take on a producer’s role.

Currently, Del Toro is busy directing an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein. The film features an impressive ensemble cast, including Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Lars Mikkelsen. Although produced by Netflix, the film is set to receive a theatrical release—a decision that highlights the cinematic quality and depth typical of Del Toro’s work, which deserves to be experienced on the big screen.

Source: Far Out Magazine

More Information & Images