50 best Anime movies
Anime
List of the 50 best Anime Movies.
Does not include movies closely related to an existing series (aka sequels/prequels/side stories) so you can watch everything in the list without watching a series prior to it.
Keep in mind, that the industry isn't that old yet and unlike normal Anime, the movie industry didn't explode in the last few years so these are basically all the good movies that currently exist.
List is based on:
- stats (mainly MAL score, favorites and popularity)
- awards
- other peoples opinion (reviews, opinions I've heard on Youtube,...)
- personal opinion (can be seen on "list view", which should be the standard one)
Studio Ghibli is without a doubt the most popular Anime Movie studio and also the only one that created a lot of movies. I've excluded the few bad/mediocre ones so I recommend any listed here. The first 4 are generally seen as the best ones, the rest has no order.
General list order:
- Ghibli movies
- Makoto Shinkai movies
- Mamoru Hosoda movies
- Satoshi Kon movies
- other movies
Does not include movies closely related to an existing series (aka sequels/prequels/side stories) so you can watch everything in the list without watching a series prior to it.
Keep in mind, that the industry isn't that old yet and unlike normal Anime, the movie industry didn't explode in the last few years so these are basically all the good movies that currently exist.
List is based on:
- stats (mainly MAL score, favorites and popularity)
- awards
- other peoples opinion (reviews, opinions I've heard on Youtube,...)
- personal opinion (can be seen on "list view", which should be the standard one)
Studio Ghibli is without a doubt the most popular Anime Movie studio and also the only one that created a lot of movies. I've excluded the few bad/mediocre ones so I recommend any listed here. The first 4 are generally seen as the best ones, the rest has no order.
General list order:
- Ghibli movies
- Makoto Shinkai movies
- Mamoru Hosoda movies
- Satoshi Kon movies
- other movies
Movie, 1997,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Most Ghibli anime are pretty similar so I won't comment on every one. If you like one, you will like most of the others.
A young prince gets cursed by a demon. On his way to find a cure he gets involved in a battle between humans (science) and forest spirits (nature) and tries to show them the path to harmony.
Mononoke Hime is a bit more brutal than most Ghibli movies and is also one of only two Ghibli movies with a bigger focus on Action.
- If you like this one, also check out "Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä" from this list.
A young prince gets cursed by a demon. On his way to find a cure he gets involved in a battle between humans (science) and forest spirits (nature) and tries to show them the path to harmony.
Mononoke Hime is a bit more brutal than most Ghibli movies and is also one of only two Ghibli movies with a bigger focus on Action.
- If you like this one, also check out "Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä" from this list.
Movie, 2001,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
A young girl gets trapped in a bizarre spirit world with her parents and has to find a way to escape.
Only Anime to win an Oscar. Generally seen as one of the best movies of all time.
Only Anime to win an Oscar. Generally seen as one of the best movies of all time.
Movie, 2004,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Romance-Drama about a woman that gets turned into an old woman and ends up living with a wizard in his moving castle until they find a way to turn her back to normal.
Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
A boy and his younger sister have to survive alone in Japan during World War 2.
First Ghibli movie directed by Isao Takahata.
- If you like this one also check out "Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni" from this list.
First Ghibli movie directed by Isao Takahata.
- If you like this one also check out "Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni" from this list.
Movie, 1984,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
In a post-apocalyptic fantasy world with giant insects and plants but also steampunk elements, the protagonist has to defend her village from nature, as well as humans who are trying to revive one of the weapons that caused the apocalypse.
Old movie that was so well received and popular that the staff created their own Studio, Ghibli.
- If you like this one, also check out "Mononoke Hime" from this list.
Old movie that was so well received and popular that the staff created their own Studio, Ghibli.
- If you like this one, also check out "Mononoke Hime" from this list.
Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
2 young girls move to the countryside and explore the surrounding area where they find forest spirits.
Very good movie but has it's boring/slow parts where you can see it was created for children.
Very good movie but has it's boring/slow parts where you can see it was created for children.
Movie, 1989,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Young witch-in-training becomes an intern at a bakery until she starts becoming independent by opening a courier service.
Very wholesome and laid-back.
Very wholesome and laid-back.
Movie, 1986,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
A young girl meets a young boy who dreams of reaching the fabled castle in the sky, Laputa. However, government agents are also trying to find the castle for their own greedy purposes.
First Ghibli movie. You can see a lot of typical Ghibli traits like their special Steampunk setting and a lot of planes.
First Ghibli movie. You can see a lot of typical Ghibli traits like their special Steampunk setting and a lot of planes.
Movie, 2008,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
A goldfish princess befriends a young boy and wants to become a human. To do that without bringing imbalance to the world they must pass an ancient test.
Movie, 1995,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
A girl becomes friends with a boy who wants to fulfill his dream. Uncertain of her talents and future, she starts searching for her own dream.
First and only Ghibli movie directed by Yoshifumi Kondou. He died 3 years after the movie released, causing Miyazaki to retire for the first time.
First and only Ghibli movie directed by Yoshifumi Kondou. He died 3 years after the movie released, causing Miyazaki to retire for the first time.
Movie, 2010,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
A young boy finds out that there is a family of miniature humans living on their property. He befriends the daughter despite the parents being against it.
Movie, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Japanese man saves and falls in love with a women and wants to design and build planes (and ends up doing that) but Word War 2 is getting closer and closer.
The main character is a historical figure and Miyazaki stated, that this is his saddest movie.
The main character is a historical figure and Miyazaki stated, that this is his saddest movie.
Movie, 2014,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Young girl goes to live at a small town near the sea where she finds an abandoned mansion. However, after she meets a mysterious girl who lives in the mansion, she begins to discover the truth behind the strange girl and the abandoned mansion.
Very unique Ghibli movie since it has a lot of mystery and even psychological elements.
Very unique Ghibli movie since it has a lot of mystery and even psychological elements.
Movie, 1992,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
A cursed bounty hunter wants to repair and improve his plane to redeem his honor and win over his crush.
One of only two Ghibli movies with a bigger focus on action.
While most parts of the movie are really strong, the ending falls a bit off.
One of only two Ghibli movies with a bigger focus on action.
While most parts of the movie are really strong, the ending falls a bit off.
Movie, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Based on a very popular Japanese folk tale.
Bamboo cutter finds a small baby inside a glowing shoot and takes her home, believing she is a divine princess send to earth. After finding a lot of money, he wants to turn her into a real princess living in a mansion in a big city but her origins and purpose slowly come to light.
most unique art style of all Ghibli movies
- if you like the setting, try the Manga/Anime called "Mushishi"
Bamboo cutter finds a small baby inside a glowing shoot and takes her home, believing she is a divine princess send to earth. After finding a lot of money, he wants to turn her into a real princess living in a mansion in a big city but her origins and purpose slowly come to light.
most unique art style of all Ghibli movies
- if you like the setting, try the Manga/Anime called "Mushishi"
Movie, 2011,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
In anticipation of the upcoming Olympic Games, a beloved old clubhouse is set to be demolished to make way for a modern building. To stop this from happening, students work together and spread information about this cause. While doing so, the main characters slowly grow closer and learn more about their past.
2nd movie by Hayao Miyazaki's son, Gorou Miyazaki
2nd movie by Hayao Miyazaki's son, Gorou Miyazaki
Movie, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
A high school girl living in the countryside and a high school boy living in Tokyo suddenly awake in each others body. Both of them have to adapt to the vastly different lifestyles and have to search for one another.
2nd most successful Japanese movie of all time
basically won every award "Koe no Katachi" didn't win
- in the same Universe as Makoto Shinkai's other movies "Tenki no Ko" and "Kotonoha no Niwa"
2nd most successful Japanese movie of all time
basically won every award "Koe no Katachi" didn't win
- in the same Universe as Makoto Shinkai's other movies "Tenki no Ko" and "Kotonoha no Niwa"
Movie, 2019,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Boy rescues girl from shady men and discovers her ability to call out the sun whenever she prays for it. Since the rain in Tokyo doesn't seem to stop, they decide to bring sunshine to people who need it the most. However power always comes with a hefty price.
first Anime Japan submitted for the Oscars since 1998
- in the same Universe as Makoto Shinkai's other movies "Kimi no Na wa." and "Kotonoha no Niwa"
first Anime Japan submitted for the Oscars since 1998
- in the same Universe as Makoto Shinkai's other movies "Kimi no Na wa." and "Kotonoha no Niwa"
Movie, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
An aspiring shoemaker decides to skip class to sketch designs in a beautiful garden. There he meets a beautiful yet mysterious woman and offers her to make shoes for her. Becoming closer and closer, their relationship is put to the test when the end of the rainy season approaches.
rather short with a duration of 46 minutes
not liked by some due to the couples age gap and student-teacher relationship
- in the same Universe as Makoto Shinkai's other movies "Tenki no Ko" and "Kimi no Na wa."
rather short with a duration of 46 minutes
not liked by some due to the couples age gap and student-teacher relationship
- in the same Universe as Makoto Shinkai's other movies "Tenki no Ko" and "Kimi no Na wa."
Movie, 2022,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
High school girl follows a young man to an abandoned town where she discovers and opens an isolated door, which seemingly leads to a dreamlike world, but she can't enter it. She only later finds out, that leaving the door open released the evil within the other universe. The girl joins the young man in locking the open doors before the country is destroyed by the earthquakes the monster creates.
Due to the high attention to detail in earthquake-related scenes, some people experienced PTSD while watching this movie.
Due to the high attention to detail in earthquake-related scenes, some people experienced PTSD while watching this movie.
Movie, 2012,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
College student falls in love with a werewolf and gives birth to 2 children, who can turn into wolves. However, she has to raise their children alone at some point while also keeping their supernatural ability a secret, which is causing her a lot of problems and stress.
first movie from Mamoru Hosoda's own studio, Studio Chizu
Studio is one of the currently only 2 big Anime-Movie studios aside from CoMix Wave Films
- also check out "Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou" if you like this one
first movie from Mamoru Hosoda's own studio, Studio Chizu
Studio is one of the currently only 2 big Anime-Movie studios aside from CoMix Wave Films
- also check out "Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou" if you like this one
Movie, 2015,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
With no real family, and no place to go, a young boy escapes to the beast realm of Shibuten. A strong beast takes care of him as he needs a disciple to prove he is worthy of becoming the Lord's successor.
(you don't have to be a furry to enjoy this one)
(you don't have to be a furry to enjoy this one)
Movie, 2006,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
High school girl discovers that she has the ability to leap through time but also that every choice has a consequence.
Mamoru Hosoda's first movie aside from the Digimon movies.
The protagonist is the logo of Studio Chizu.
Mamoru Hosoda's first movie aside from the Digimon movies.
The protagonist is the logo of Studio Chizu.
Movie, 2009,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Math genius gets invited by his crush on a summer trip to her grandmothers birthday. At their family's estate, he not only has to act as her fiancé but his math skills are also being challenged by an unknown person. Solving the challenge however has put Earth in great danger, due to it's dependency on the virtual world called "OZ".
power of family > power of friendship (Vin Diesel will like this movie)
- clearly inspired by director Mamoru Hosoda's Digimon Movie
power of family > power of friendship (Vin Diesel will like this movie)
- clearly inspired by director Mamoru Hosoda's Digimon Movie
Movie, 1998,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Idol group member leaves the group to become an actress. However her new career becomes not only more demanding, a former fan also starts stalking her. As more and more disturbing things happen to her, she becomes unable to distinguish reality from fantasy.
Highest rated and most popular Movie by popular director Satoshi Kon.
- also check out Satoshi Kon's other movies (Paprika is the most similar to Perfect Blue)
Satoshi Kon is considered one of the best Directors/Creators in Animation history, which is also why one of the most renowned Awards in Japan was named after him. He often creates stories about how people cope with multiple lives and a blurring of reality and fantasy.
Perfect Blue: private - public
Paprika: awake - dreaming
Sennen Joyuu: on-screen - off-screen
Highest rated and most popular Movie by popular director Satoshi Kon.
- also check out Satoshi Kon's other movies (Paprika is the most similar to Perfect Blue)
Satoshi Kon is considered one of the best Directors/Creators in Animation history, which is also why one of the most renowned Awards in Japan was named after him. He often creates stories about how people cope with multiple lives and a blurring of reality and fantasy.
Perfect Blue: private - public
Paprika: awake - dreaming
Sennen Joyuu: on-screen - off-screen
Movie, 2006,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Scientists developed a machine where you can enter other peoples dreams in order to fully cure patients psychological disorders. However, this machine got stolen and is now being used for psychological terrorism. The developers and police are now trying to find the thief by entering the bizarre dreams of the victims.
This movie was a big inspiration for Christopher Nolan's movie "Inception".
The last Movie of Satoshi Kon before his death.
This movie was a big inspiration for Christopher Nolan's movie "Inception".
The last Movie of Satoshi Kon before his death.
Movie, 2002,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Filmmaker wants to make a documentary about his former companies star actress and gets to interview her. Her recollections take them on an illusionary journey through Japanese cinematic history that transcends the boundaries of reality.
Since this Satoshi Kon movie includes several scenes of other movies, it also has a big variety of genres and themes.
Since this Satoshi Kon movie includes several scenes of other movies, it also has a big variety of genres and themes.
Movie, 2003,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
The homeless trio consisting of an alcoholic man, a trans women and a runaway child, finds an abandoned baby in the trash. They now have to spent the whole Christmas Eve to find the baby's mother to question her. However, they got caught up in a series of unprecedented events.
Great Christmas movie.
Only Comedy movie by Satoshi Kon.
Great Christmas movie.
Only Comedy movie by Satoshi Kon.
Movie, 2000,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
After WW II, Tokyo is filled with civil unrest and terrorism. Soldier of an elite counter-terrorism unit fails to prevent a teenage girl from carrying out a suicide bombing, causing him to get mental scars and to be sent back to the military academy for re-evaluation. Getting caught up in government conspiracies, he starts to discovers to which side he truly belongs.
From the team that made Ghost in the Shell and script by Satoshi Kon.
From the team that made Ghost in the Shell and script by Satoshi Kon.
Movie, 1995,
3 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Compilation of three standalone short films encompassing different genres.
Magnetic Rose:
Space engineers follow a distress signal to an abandoned space station where they find out the dark secret of an opera singer.
Directed and written by Studio 4°C founder Kouji Morimoto as well as Satoshi Kon and generally seen as the best one of the three.
Stink Bomb:
Lab technician consumes the wrong pills at his laboratory which causes him to release toxic gas that kills everyone in his vicinity. Unknowing to this, he runs to the headquarters in Tokio while the military is trying its best to kill/capture him.
Script from Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of Akira and directed by Tensai Okamura, the creator of Darker than Black.
Cannon Fodder:
Despite no proof of an enemy nation attacking, a fortress city is constantly firing huge cannons, which take thousands of people to operate.
Mostly created by Katsuhiro Otomo.
Magnetic Rose:
Space engineers follow a distress signal to an abandoned space station where they find out the dark secret of an opera singer.
Directed and written by Studio 4°C founder Kouji Morimoto as well as Satoshi Kon and generally seen as the best one of the three.
Stink Bomb:
Lab technician consumes the wrong pills at his laboratory which causes him to release toxic gas that kills everyone in his vicinity. Unknowing to this, he runs to the headquarters in Tokio while the military is trying its best to kill/capture him.
Script from Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of Akira and directed by Tensai Okamura, the creator of Darker than Black.
Cannon Fodder:
Despite no proof of an enemy nation attacking, a fortress city is constantly firing huge cannons, which take thousands of people to operate.
Mostly created by Katsuhiro Otomo.
Movie, 1995,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Detectives in a Cyberpunk world, where people can replace their limbs with robotic parts, have to find a mysterious hacker who stripes their victims of their memories. Like many in this futuristic world, the hacker's body is almost entirely robotic, giving them incredible power.
One of the most influential Anime of all time. It was a major inspiration for the Matrix movies and the typical green text when you think of hackers also originates from this film.
- I heavily recommend to also watch Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The show was even better received then the movie.
One of the most influential Anime of all time. It was a major inspiration for the Matrix movies and the typical green text when you think of hackers also originates from this film.
- I heavily recommend to also watch Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The show was even better received then the movie.
Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Young boy with psychic powers rampages through Tokyo and causes WW III, after which he got captured. Many years later, a gang member encounters an esper and starts to develop his own mysterious abilities. The government now seeks to quarantine this latest psychic in a desperate attempt to prevent him from unleashing the destructive power that could once again bring the city to its knees.
First major Anime movie and one of the most influential Anime in general.
Mangaka Katsuhiro Otomo directed the movie himself.
- also check out Koukaku Kidoutai (Ghost in the Shell)
First major Anime movie and one of the most influential Anime in general.
Mangaka Katsuhiro Otomo directed the movie himself.
- also check out Koukaku Kidoutai (Ghost in the Shell)
Movie, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:10
Young boy and his classmates heavily bully their deaf classmate. After the parents and teachers find this out, he gets all the blame and is now himself getting bullied all throughout elementary and middle school. Sincerely regretting his past actions, he tries to redeem himself after meeting the deaf girl again.
basically won every award "Kimi no Na wa." didn't win
- also check out "Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi"
basically won every award "Kimi no Na wa." didn't win
- also check out "Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi"
Movie, 2018,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Protagonist is deeply detached from the world, however, he finds out his classmate has a terminal illness and not much time left. Despite being polar opposites, their connection strengthens, but it can't last for long.
Very sad despite you knowing she will die from the start.
- also watch the series "Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso" if you like the theme (although the setting is a bit different)
Very sad despite you knowing she will die from the start.
- also watch the series "Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso" if you like the theme (although the setting is a bit different)
Movie, 2021,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Extremely talented movie producer only makes trashy B-movies but decided to change that and give her ambitious script to a completely new director, who now has to learn a lot of things while creating the movie.
The new Director and new Actress in the movie are both fittingly voiced by new Voice Actors.
The new Director and new Actress in the movie are both fittingly voiced by new Voice Actors.
