Hayao Miyazaki Explains Why He Hates Hollywood Movies

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Hayao Miyazaki doesn’t follow the latest fads. The co-founder of Studio Ghibli has always focused on creating films with beautiful, hand-drawn animation, thoughtful pacing, and characters that feel genuinely human – flawed and determined. His fans appreciate his movies, and many also respect his honesty, even when it’s controversial.

Ever since his critically acclaimed film ‘The Boy and the Heron’ came out, people have been even more interested in what the director thinks. He’s famous for avoiding award shows and letting his films do the talking, which has created a lot of speculation about his opinions on today’s movies and why certain ones don’t resonate with him.

As a huge movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by what makes different filmmakers tick. I recently read some quotes from Miyazaki, and they really shed light on why his films feel so different from a lot of big Hollywood productions. He’s pretty direct about it – he feels American movies often rely heavily on explosions and shooting, which is just their style, he says. But he also pointed out something really important to him: the way many action films, like ‘Lord of the Rings,’ seem okay with indiscriminate killing – not distinguishing between soldiers and civilians, and just writing it off as ‘collateral damage.’ It’s this kind of simple, often violent, storytelling that really frustrates him, and honestly, I can see his point. He’s looking for something more nuanced and thoughtful in movies.

He’s been very clear about how audiences watch these kinds of stories. He criticized popular American adventure films, saying viewers often identify *with* the characters getting shot, and watching them without thinking critically is shocking. He believes there’s a lack of self-awareness, historical understanding, and consideration of how America is perceived by other countries. He used ‘Indiana Jones’ as an example, pointing out the quick-to-action, shoot-first style as representative of this problem.

His stance aligns with his lifelong commitment to peace. Years ago, he famously missed the Academy Awards ceremony when ‘Spirited Away’ won an award, explaining he didn’t want to travel to the U.S. while the Iraq War was happening. This simple act revealed his principles just as powerfully as any public statement could have.

When you watch his movies, a clear pattern emerges. He doesn’t portray villains as simple, nameless enemies. In films like ‘Princess Mononoke’ and ‘Spirited Away,’ even those who seem villainous are shown with depth and understanding. Even in his latest work, ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ conflict isn’t about defeating an enemy, but about finding understanding. Similarly, his critiques of Hollywood aren’t just complaints; he’s advocating for stories that embrace complexity and prioritize the value of human life over sensationalism.

Miyazaki is known for being direct, sometimes even blunt, but this honesty is the same quality that makes his films so heartwarming. He feels audiences deserve more than just constant action and violence, and that intricate stories are a strength, not a weakness. He describes it simply: “Americans focus on shooting and explosions.” But then he challenges us to think about what that says about us and what we value.

It remains to be seen if Hollywood will ever adopt Miyazaki’s perspective. However, he’ll continue creating the worlds he believes in. Ultimately, it’s up to us to choose the stories that resonate with us, and what those choices reveal about who we are.

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2025-10-12 11:14