Anime movies often delve into profound societal issues, offering unique perspectives on life’s complexities. This curated list features standout films, many from Studio Ghibli, renowned for their quality and impact. Discover the best anime movies of all time – as voted by fans across the globe. Don’t worry; we have specifically avoided any spoilers, so none of these movies will be ruined for you!
25. A Letter To Momo (2011)
What is it about? A Letter to Momo follows the story of Momo Miyaura, a young girl grappling with the recent loss of her father, Kazuo. After the tragedy, her mother, Ikuko, moves the family to a small island town. On the island, Momo encounters three mischievous spirits, Iwa, Kawa, and Mame, who help her cope with her grief, unravel the island’s mysteries, and ultimately find redemption for their past actions, which led to their transformation into Yokai.
Why we love it: A Letter To Momo is a gorgeous story about dealing with loss and mystery. It incorporates elements of Japanese mythology and folklore. Despite having heavy themes like this, there are plenty of comedic elements and moments throughout the story, lightening the atmosphere and making it a heartfelt movie.
24. From Up On Poppy Hill (2011)
This is the first Studio Ghibli movie on this list, so be warned, you will see many of them!
What is it about? From Up On Poppy Hill is set in Tokyo in 1963. It follows the story of students Umi Matsuzaki and Shun Kazama as they join forces to save their school clubhouse from demolition to make room for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics stadium. Along the way, they uncover a family secret tied to Japan’s post-World War II recovery and develop a deep friendship that transcends their initial goal of preserving the clubhouse.
Why we love it: Studio Ghibli is notoriously beautiful. Their animation style, sprawling landscapes, and music composition are often reason enough for most fans to watch their movies. That being said, their storytelling is on par with their incredible quality, and with ups and downs everywhere, you will want to follow Umi and Shun through their journey of discovery.
23. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)
What is it about? Based on the third novel of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D series, Demon Deathchase, the story follows D, a vampire hunter who is also known as a Dhampir, or a half-human, half-vampire hybrid. After a wealthy man’s daughter is abducted by a vampire nobleman, her father hires D to hunt down the vampire and rescue his daughter.
Why we love it: Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is one of the darker movies on this list, followed by a fantasy, horror theme involving vampires. The movie was widely considered a success, and we count ourselves among those who consider it a success. Having stayed true to the original novel, the movie is an excellent foot into the world of Vampire Hunter D.
22. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
What is it about? The Secret World of Arrietty is a gorgeous tale based on Mary Norton’s novel The Borrowers and depicts a miniature family called The Borrowers who live clandestinely within a normal-sized house hidden from its inhabitants. When a boy named Shō stumbles upon Arrietty, one of the borrowers, during a visit to his family home, they form an unlikely friendship. However, tragedy strikes as Arrietty’s parents’ caution about revealing their existence to humans proves true, compelling Shō and Arrietty to collaborate in safeguarding her people from discovery by humans.
Why we love it: Studio Ghibli strikes again with a fantastic movie and story that links to beloved fairytales worldwide, including Thumbelina and stories of fairies and gnomes. The story is surprisingly touching as the unlikely friends navigate this new friendship, its dangers to their respective worlds, and much more.
21. When Marnie Was There (2014)
What is it about? When Marnie Was There is a mysterious tale following Anna Sasaki, who stays with relatives in Hokkaido. She encounters the enigmatic Marnie in an abandoned mansion, and their friendship grows. Through Marnie, Anna unravels secrets about herself, leading her to discover her identity and place in the world.
Why we love it: Surprisingly dark for a heartfelt and touching movie, we weren’t surprised by the depth of this gorgeous Studio Ghibli movie. With a touching story about Anna finding herself, this movie will tug at your heart, but most Studio Ghibli movies will.
20. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
What is it about? In The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, 17-year-old Makoto Konno gains the ability to “time-leap” after a strange encounter with a walnut-shaped object. After narrowly avoiding a fatal accident, she realises she can jump back in time to alter events. Initially using her power frivolously, she soon learns the consequences of her actions as she grapples with the ethical and emotional implications of altering time.
Why we love it: While the movie has a fun premise and tells the relatable story of what almost any of us would do if we suddenly could leap through time, it has a surprising twist at the end that is well worth the watch and a good lesson about abusing the passage of time.
19. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
What is it about? This movie was inspired by the 1948 American film 3 Godfathers and tells the story of three homeless people who find an abandoned newborn in the garbage on Christmas Eve. With nothing but a baby, the note left with the child, and a key that leads to a bag with clues about the parents’ identity, Gin, Miyuki, and Hana set out on a journey across the city to find the baby’s parents.
Why we love it: Wikipedia’s description of this movie as a “tragicomedy adventure film” should say it all. This movie has more ups and downs than a rollercoaster and a darker side that you wouldn’t expect from the name or the poster. If you are up for this movie’s wild ride, it is definitely worth a watch.
18. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
What is it about? Based on the 1998 anime series of the same name, the movie takes place between episode 22 and episode 23 of the original anime. The film is set in 2071 after the Earth has been abandoned mainly because of a disaster on the moon. As the story unfolds, it centres around a mysterious terrorist planning to exterminate the human population of Mars with a weaponised virus. The bounty hunter crew aboard the spaceship Bebop are hot on the trails of the terrorist that is planning the attack.
Why we love it: Who doesn’t love Cowboy Bebop? If you have yet to indulge in one of the best anime of all time, the movie is a good place to start or an excellent way to get more context into the anime.
17. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
What is it about? Yet another fantastic Studio Ghibli animation, based on the 1985 novel of the same name, Kiki’s Delivery Service, tells the story of the titular character Kiki who is a young witch. Each young witch must go out on her own and make their own way, and Kiki does so by moving to a new town, despite being a young girl and opening a courier service in the town where she moves. Despite her youth, Kiki experiences the same problems in life as anyone would, trying to make it on her own, like loneliness, depression, and struggling to understand her purpose.
Why we love it: Studio Ghibli is particularly famous for dealing with heartbreaking themes in a gorgeous setting with a musical score to match. The fact that Kiki is experiencing such deep emotions despite her youth makes her relatable and makes for a story about the human condition that is relatable to all ages.
16. Whisper of the Heart (1995)
What is it about? We could make this a Studio Ghibli list, but it isn’t our fault that they have made some of the best anime movies ever. Whisper of the Heart is an animated romantic drama based on the 1989 manga that follows Shizuku Tsukishima, a young girl who loves to read, and Shirō Nishi. Shirō runs an antique shop in town, whom Shizuku falls in love with.
Why we love it: This film excels at making the mundane cinematic and beautiful. This heartwarming love story about ordinary people living a relatively everyday life is a beautiful break from the action-packed anime movies you might typically find. It is the perfect respite for those wanting to enjoy a good movie.
15. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
What is it about? This adult animated neo-noir cyberpunk action thriller film (I know, take a breath) is based on the manga of the same name. It is a universe that has been explored in many forms. Set in 2029, the story follows Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg police officer and public security agent who is hunting a mysterious hacker named “The Puppet Master”. Despite being a cyborg, Motoko has to balance her humanity with the growing prevalence of technology in her city and not lose her identity.
Why we love it: The neo-noir and cyberpunk genres are gorgeous when rendered in anime form, but Ghost in the Shell has created something special, with a crime sci-fi anime that defies expectations, even almost thirty years later.
14. Akira (1988)
What is it about? One of the oldest anime movies on the list, Akira is yet another epic tale set in the post-apocalyptic but cyberpunk-inspired future of 2019. After much of the world was destroyed in World War III, civilisation settled somewhat in Neo-Tokyo. Tetsuo Shima, a member of the Bosozoku biker Gang, was in a bike accident that gave him supernatural powers. Unfortunately, not all people deal with power well, and he turns into a bit of a psychopath, drawing the attention of a secret organisation backed by the government.
Why we love it: Directed and written by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira is a testament to his unrivalled storytelling skills. Despite its age, it transcends most sci-fi films. Whether you have a knack for the sci-fi genre or not, Akira is hands down a must-watch anime title and definitely one of the best anime movies of all time.
13. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
What is it about? The Tale of the Princess Kaguya probably has one of the richest histories, based on the 17th-century Japanese literary tale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. The story follows a young, small-scale girl found inside a glowing bamboo shoot by a bamboo cutter, whose wife decides to raise her as their daughter, calling her Princess. Loved by all who encounter her, her father is convinced of her divine royalty and tries to make it a reality.
Why we love it: This anime movie is something special. Being gorgeously based on Japanese literary history and flawlessly executed, it should be no surprise that the movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
12. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)
What is it about? This epic apocalyptic science fiction film follows the teenagers Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu, pilots of the mechas known as Evangelions or EVA. Defending humanity from a mysterious extraterrestrial threat known as Angels, the film follows their exploits as they wage this war against a seemingly insurmountable threat.
Why we love it: Neon Genesis Evangelion is an anime you will undoubtedly have heard of. Not only is the franchise a classic in the anime community, but the film itself is a wealth of emotions as it takes you on a wild ride.
11. Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984)
What is it about? One of the oldest Studio Ghibli movies on this list, this movie is based on the 1982-1994 manga of the same name and tells an exciting story of a future that both has technology and is highly primitive. Industrialism and global expansion of the human race have practically been brought to a standstill, and gigantic bugs have taken over a lot of the world, terraforming the environment with toxins that are fatal to humans. The story is based on a prophecy of a saviour who will reunite the world and find a way for humans and bugs to coexist.
Why we love it: As far as Studio Ghibli movies go, this is often an overlooked gem of the studio. The film can feel quite long-winded, but if you have the patience to sit through the start, it ramps up impeccably and is a great watch.
10. Castle In The Sky (1986)
What is it about? Sometimes known as Laputa: Castle in the Sky, this Studio Ghibli classic tells the story of two orphans, Sheeta and Pazu, who are on the run from the army, the government, and a group of pirates, and on an epic journey to find a legendary airborne island known as Laputa.
Why we love it: Despite being on the run from some pretty scary individuals, following children as the main characters of Castle In The Sky brings an unexpected level of innocence to this film while still characteristically exploring the more complex themes that Studio Ghibli tends to explore.
9. Perfect Blue (1997)
What is it about? Venturing into the realm of psychological horror for this one, Perfect Blue is loosely based on the novel Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis and follows a Japanese idol, Mima Kirigoe, who has left music for a career in acting. Her fame leads to many difficult situations, such as fear, paranoia, and an obsessive fan-turned stalker.
Why We Love It focuses on terrifying topics like harassment, fanaticism, and terror, all wrapped up in dreamy visuals that significantly represent how we view the lives of idols and celebrities through rose-coloured glasses.
8. My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
What is it about? One of the most popular Studio Ghibli movies and the studio’s mascot, My Neighbour Totoro, tells the story of two young sisters who move to the countryside with their father to be near the hospital where their ailing mother is receiving treatment. To their surprise, the rural countryside is filled with wondrous forest spirits, including Totoro. The two young girls go on a magnificent adventure.
Why we love it: While there is plenty to love about the whimsical adventure as it is, there is plenty of speculation about the movie’s more profound meaning. Many think it is a whimsical journey that helps the girls cope with their mother’s conditions, while others think it is the girls’ own journey through death itself. Either way, the movie is gorgeous and deserves a spot on this list.
7. Wolf Children (2012)
What is it about? A bit on the odd side, Wolf Children tells the tale of precisely that: Wolf Children. Hana, an ordinary young woman, falls in love with a werewolf while she is in college, and their love results in two beautiful half-wolf half-human siblings, Ame and Yuki. Following the death of their father, Hana must navigate this new life as a single mother raising two inhuman children.
Why we love it: While this movie definitely doesn’t follow a relatable theme, what with the half-human, half-wolf children, it does cover profound themes like love, loss, and living as a single parent, and is widely regarded as one of the best anime movies of all time.
6. A Silent Voice (2016)
What is it about? One of the more recent movies on the list, A Silent Voice, is based on the manga of the same name and starts with a young boy named Shōya standing on a bridge about to commit suicide. The movie shows his life leading up to that moment, how he was a bully to a deaf student at his school named Shōko Nishimiya and was alienated from the rest of his classmates because of his actions.
Why we love it: Having been the victim of bullying himself, the story has a strong anti-bullying message and intense emotional depth as he tries to redeem himself with the deaf girl he has been bullying. We love a good anime movie with a strong moral message.
5. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
What is it about? This gorgeous story is loosely based on the 1986 novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones. It is arguably one of the first movies fans think about when thinking of Studio Ghibli. The movie follows Sophie, who is on a quest to break a curse that has turned her into a 90-year-old woman and has to find Howl’s moving castle.
Why we love it: This movie is beyond gorgeous. With sprawling landscapes, an amazing story about staying true to yourself no matter the circumstances, and a score that you will literally want to play on repeat after watching it, Howl’s Moving Castle has undoubtedly earned its place on this list.
4. Princess Mononoke (1997)
What is it about? In the late Muromachi period of Japan, Princess Mononoke is yet another powerful tale about the dangers of industrialism and expansion, specifically what happens when the gods (kami) of the forest in Japanese lore decide to fight back.
Why we love it: Trust Studio Ghibli to cover heavy-hitting themes like conservation and environmental concerns in a way that goes against their usual light theme and stays true to their gorgeous style and storytelling.
3. Your Name (2016)
What is it about? This gorgeous film follows Mitsuha Miyamizu, a high school girl who lives a quiet life in the rural town of Itomori, Japan. Life becomes a little less quiet when Mitsuha suddenly starts swapping lives with Tai Tachibana, a boy from Tokyo. With moments of comedy as the two try to navigate not only new bodies of the opposite sex but also new lives, the two get to know each other just by living each other’s lives. No one could anticipate the events that followed.
Why we love it: This movie is one of the most gorgeous anime movies out there, and the twist will leave you in tears. We recommend giving it a chance if you haven’t watched it yet.
2. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
What is it about? Speaking of movies that will have you in tears, Grave of the Fireflies is based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka and tells the story of orphans of war, Seita and Setsuko as they struggle to make their way to safety across Japan towards the end of World War II.
Why we love it: This movie is heart-wrenching. While still having the gorgeous flair synonymous with the Studio Ghibli name, it pulled no punches in showing the world the reality and cruelty of war.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
What is it about? Spirited Away is almost universally considered one of the best anime movies ever made, with a fiercely loyal fan base. The story follows Chihiro, a young girl who moves to the country with her parents and finds a strange pathway leading to a field where a seemingly magical market occurs. What follows is an adventure to save her parents after they have been turned into pigs by an evil witch who has locked her into a contract by stealing her name.
Why we love it: Spirited Away has all of the gorgeous views, the score, and the story of most other Studio Ghibli movies, but the whimsey and magic of the film struck a chord with many anime fans, creating a cult following that continues to watch the movie to this day.
Tell us, which film you consider the best anime movie of all time? Also, check out our lists of the 13 best anime games of all time or 28 best old anime movies or the strongest female anime characters.
