Top 10 Best Anime Movies of All Time

Anime movies have carved out a special place in the world of film, offering a unique blend of stunning visuals, powerful storytelling, and emotional depth that's hard to find anywhere else. Whether you're new to anime or have been a fan for years, there's always something special about diving into the best of what the genre has to offer. From magical fantasies and heart-wrenching dramas to epic adventures, anime films span a variety of genres and styles that can appeal to almost any viewer.

Have you seen a movie that blew your mind with its incredible animation or touched your heart with its story? Now's your chance to weigh in. Vote for the films you think are the absolute best of the best, and see how your opinions stack up against other anime fans from around the world.
The Top Ten
Spirited Away

This is easily the greatest anime film of all time. You follow Chihiro as she matures and grows after suddenly finding herself in a new and mystical world. She has to prove herself again and again with the hope of being reunited with her parents.

Such powerful emotions come into play in this, and the movie is so much like my dreams that it was almost creepy. I highly recommend this great film.

I was torn between this and Princess Mononoke, but what it came down to was that with Princess Mononoke, I was a little tired by the end and was kind of glad that it was over. With Spirited Away, I was very disappointed that it was over. I mean, this could have gone on for four hours, and I probably still would have wanted more.

Princess Mononoke may have had the better story, but this was just more fun.

Your Name

I literally just watched this movie, two years after it came out, and it was amazing. It has a way of really making you change the way that you think. I love this movie, even though it's a romance, and I usually hate romances, but this was different. I think that this should actually be number two, though.

There's this other amazing anime movie called "The Shape of Voice," and if it was an option to vote for it, I would definitely vote that movie as Number One instead of this one. You should definitely watch The Shape of Voice if you have time! But, with the choices here, Your Name (Kimi no Na wa) is definitely the best.

But, to sum it up, this movie is simply breathtaking and kind of funny at the same time. It literally made me cry!

Princess Mononoke

I love this film. I consider it the greatest anime movie ever. It has an awesome adventure, an extremely romantic (but in no way sappy) love story, a war between three factions, and an enormous battle. It has everything.

I love this film and I have now seen it around 30 times. It gets to me every time. I fall in love with the characters again every time I see it. I experience the story as if I have never heard it (though I have memorized the script and the scenes). I get depressed for a few days every time I see it (every few months), thinking about it.

I have never seen another movie so powerful. Movies are supposed to move you in some profound way, and this film definitely does so. I think that this deserves the top spot.

I've seen Spirited Away a few times and I think that it is overrated. Many people who voted for it have probably never seen Princess Mononoke. Personally, I find Spirited Away to be a bit more childish than Princess Mononoke, but that is because Miyazaki's films are generally aimed at a younger audience. However, the plot seems a little weak at spots and the love story isn't very powerful.

It did not leave such a mark as Princess Mononoke did for me, but that is just my opinion. Many prefer the story of Spirited Away. I personally hate the ending. It seems anticlimactic to me, while Princess Mononoke's ending is bittersweet and always leaves me thinking about it for days.

Spirited Away has just been so hugely advertised and distributed in America that Princess Mononoke never really got its chance. I am sure that if Spirited Away had never existed, Princess Mononoke would have a considerably larger fan base.

I am not trying to insult Spirited Away in any way. I am just arguing that Princess Mononoke is a better film, and a true anime adventure tale masterpiece. The only problem I have ever had with it is that there are a couple of characters who start getting character development and then are suddenly... more

Grave of the Fireflies

The first and only anime movie that has felt so surreal and heartbreaking that it's made me use up all the tissue boxes. Sorry, Mum.

It's the most ambitious, emotional, and quite frankly best film that I've ever seen. Watch it and be happy with what you have.

A must-watch. The rice ball scene literally broke my heart. This is the best anime movie I've ever seen.

Akira

No film has a sense of greatness and scope like Akira. It gets better with each viewing.

For a 1988 film, it took seven animation companies and ten years to make the visuals. Honestly, I have never seen any movie come close to the smoothness of Akira. Most of it is animated at 24 fps.

Akira was the first movie to pre-record the voices of the actors and then lip-sync the mouths of the characters (which is why you should never watch Akira with dub). All the characters keep moving all the time on screen, and there is never a dull moment.

Also, this was many people's first step into the world of anime, and it showed everyone that cartoons could be enjoyed by adults too.

People complain about its confusing plot, but they don't realize that Akira was never aiming to deliver a good story.

Akira is a visual treat for the eyes, not to mention the Dolby Atmos audio in which it was recorded sounds amazing.

Do yourself a favor and go check out Akira 720p Sub. It's on YouTube.

My Neighbor Totoro

Just watched this movie yesterday. I started crying my eyes out when it ended. This was an adorable, funny, and magical ride that I didn't ever want to get off.

The only anime movie I saw as a kid, and it is still one of my favorite movies. I am into details and stuff with animation, and it blows me away every time.

Beautiful detail, comedy, and adventure. Another Miyazaki film that anyone will enjoy.

Howl's Moving Castle

I watched this first when I was five years old, and since then, I watched it every day until my mother "accidentally" deleted it from the planner. I cried for hours because we couldn't get it back, and so my mother had to purchase it from the internet.

Seriously, an amazing movie. I don't know what it is. It just makes your heart swell. The plot is amazing, as well as the characters. I especially love how the main character is somehow beautiful and still finds true love, despite being turned into an ugly old lady.

This movie just feels like home to me.

A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi)

Look, "Your Name" and "Spirited Away" are outstanding movies. They both made me cry and reflect on myself. But this movie? Jesus, this movie. This movie has actually changed my life. It presented me with such a hard sense of reality in the world we live in today. It addresses bullying, self-harm, and hopelessness. But at the same time, it addresses friendship, kindness, and the will to carry on and live.

All of the characters are compelling and charming. The story is simple, yet earnest and whimsical. The animation is smooth, fluid, and so beautiful. God, just the message this movie sends to its audience is so emotionally impactful. This movie often uses actions and body language, visuals and music to explain and portray emotions, rather than stating them verbally. It's just beautiful!

This movie had me sobbing time and time again, from beginning to end, with happy and sad tears. You feel every possible emotion while watching this movie: happiness, anger, sadness, frustration, joy, etc. I couldn't recommend this movie enough. It will make you grow and change into a better person. An outstanding piece of cinema that deserves all of the praise and recognition in the world!

The End of Evangelion

Confusing as it may be, I absolutely believe it deserves a higher nod. It does an excellent job of leaving the audience with hope that humanity can eventually come to understand each other, to lower our mental walls and truly connect. This remains true even after the horrific bloodbath that is the first half.

Greatest piece of art ever created in the history of mankind!

The ending of this anime is so cool. I love it. It's much better than the endings of other animes.

Kiki's Delivery Service

What I like is the naturalness and simplicity of this film. No violence, no villains, no melodrama. Just a real girl and her life.

The Newcomers

? Weathering with You

Its not the best but surely a top 10.

Weathering with you was epic, Touching, wholesome and well animated

? Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry

One of my most favorite anime movie ever, not to mention fairy tail is my favoraite anime of all time.

The Contenders
Castle in the Sky

The first time I saw this, I was blown away by the story.

I just recently saw this, and it's great.

I voted for this. This is a masterpiece with a good story and a famous theme song.

Wolf Children

I love this movie. Go watch it. It has great characters and a great plot, which revolves around a young mother, Hana, who has kids with a werewolf who dies. Now the completely human Hana is forced to deal with Ame, a cowardly, frail boy at first, but evolving into a more brave and strong version later on, hating who he is and not having any social skills, or wanting to run away and protect the mountain that... Well, I won't spoil that.

And Yuki, a spitfire of a girl constantly getting in trouble at the beginning, just wanting to be normal and embracing being human at the end, having to choose: wolves or people?

When Marnie Was There
Ghost in the Shell

This film deserves to be in the top 5 at least. It is one of the most influential films of all time. The underlying themes are so good, and you need to watch it several times to fully grasp its meaning. It is one of my favorite anime films for sure.

12? Are you kidding me? Ghost in the Shell is possibly the best anime movie ever made. This should be at least up there with Akira, Perfect Blue, and Miyazaki's work.

I can't understand why this movie is so low on this list. I mean, you did not put it in the top 5 while some stupid movies are put above it.

Ponyo

I just love this movie! I like the plot, the animation is lovely, and it's really kid-friendly. I saw this movie for the first time when I was about five, and I still love it.

Just watched it! It's so beautiful, with the characters and the story! I enjoyed it a lot. This movie is so cute! Ponyo is a great movie! You should check it out!

Ponyo is the greatest anime movie ever made. I watch it all the time at school, and I get excited every time we do!

Perfect Blue

Such a mind-bending, tense thriller. One of the best out there, even. With a relatable protagonist, well-done animation, intense scenes of sexual and physical violence, disturbing ideas, a fantastic soundtrack, and a genuinely engaging plot, Perfect Blue is possibly Satoshi Kon's best film. And it's his first.

Are you guys kidding me? This masterpiece in 16th place? This is not only one of the best anime movies but also one of the best movies out there. I mean, it has all elements: suspense, thrill, psychopath, mystery drama. What else do you want?

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

This is a very interesting movie. The plot is unique, and the writing is spot on. Sure, the plot and lore behind the movie can be very confusing at times, and the main character, Nausicaa, can get on my nerves. But it's still a great film. It makes me want to see more movies by these people.

Beautiful score, very touching at times. Great characters and a lovely bit of sci-fi. Don't forget this is a very old film and has aged beautifully.

War, environment, peace, and animal rights are major themes in this Miyazaki classic.

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

Love it. A genre of its own. Very underrated here. Animation, characters, style, and music are all a mish-mash of everything sci-fi, spaghetti western, and samurai films. It's like a Tarantino anime, so to speak.

The characters, dialogue, and fluid animation are awesome.

Pokémon: The Movie 2000

Truly the best anime movie ever created.

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Naruto the Movie: Road to Ninja

I love the Akatsuki members, and I much appreciated this alternate reality where they got to be protagonists.

Number 20?! This movie is WAY better than that!

I love Road to Ninja. Rock Lee is so crazy!

Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler
Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

This movie surprised me. I was not expecting it to be as emotional as it was.

I cried.

The Garden of Words

Funny that it is ranked so low, yet it remains the favorite film of Makoto Shinkai for so many. Definitely up there with Your Name and definitely a cut above 5 Centimeters Per Second.

This is the film that made Makoto Shinkai known for beauty.

Oh, this film was just amazing and heart-touching. Can't understand why it has taken a low rank.

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