To film fans, Hayao Miyazaki may be a hero, but to animated film fans he is legendary and his films have arguably influenced animation across the globe. Recently it was announced that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science would honor the filmmaker this year with a Governors Award for his lifetime achievement in filmmaking. Since we couldn't provide an entire retrospective, we decided to list the top five films that Miyazaki has contributed to that you may have never heard of.

#5 - "Puss in Boots" (1969 version) - Key Animator

Long before the 2011 Dreamworks version of "Puss in Boots" there was the Toei Animation version that was released in 1969. At this time, Hayao Miyazaki was still an animator, but he was already working his way through the studio system. It's probably nearly impossible to find the film on DVD but some footage has been uploaded to Youtube for your viewing pleasure.

#4 - "Pom Poko" - Original Idea and Executive Producer

"Pom Poko" ended up being directed by Miyazaki's animation predecessor Isao Takahata, but the original idea is credited to the director that went on to win an Academy Award for "Spirited Away." You can clearly see that even at this point in his career, Miyazaki was already interested in the environment and how humanity should cherish it.

#3 - "Only Yesterday" - Executive Producer

This is another film directed by Isao Takahata, and the subject matter is the definite draw. It's a nostalgic tale of being a young woman in 1960s Japan and falling in love for the first time. Given the six reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, even if many have not seen the film, those who have love it.

#2 - "From Up On Poppy Hill" - Screenplay by Miyazaki

It's possible that animated film fans may have recognized the Miyazaki name, but may be confused as to who Goro is. Goro Miyazaki, son of Hayao, directed this film from a script written by his father. Critics adored this sophomore effort from Goro, but perhaps in the subject matter of 1950s Japan, it's easy to see his father's influence. 

#1 - "Whisper Of The Heart" - Screenplay by Miyazaki

One of the most underrated films by Miyazaki, "Whisper of the Heart" tells the tale of two young budding artists as they struggle to better themselves in their craft and bump awkwardly as they fall in love with each other. It's got a lot of the same elements as some of Miyazaki's more widely known films, but was sadly the first and last feature film Yoshifumi Kondo would direct before his untimely death.