The universe of anime movies is vast and filled with masterpieces that have shaped the history of Japanese animation. From Studio Ghibli classics to modern blockbusters like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, these films have captivated fans worldwide with their engaging stories, stunning visuals, and unforgettable soundtracks.
Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or just beginning to explore this world, this list presents the best anime movies according to Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
Let’s dive into their plots, directors, and where you can stream them.
The Best Anime Movies According to Rotten Tomatoes
1. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Critics’ Consensus: One of the greatest anime movies because with narrative depth, frank honesty, and exquisite visual beauty, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a modern animated treasure with timeless appeal.
Synopsis: This animation is based on the Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. Kaguya was a tiny baby when she was found inside a glowing bamboo stalk. As time passes, she grows into a beautiful young woman pursued by five noble suitors, including the Emperor himself. However, none of them are what she truly desires. To avoid marrying a stranger she does not love, Kaguya sends her suitors on seemingly impossible quests. But in the end, she must face her destiny and the consequences of her choices.
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Darren Criss
Directed by: Isao Takahata
Where to watch: Netflix
2. Only Yesterday (1991)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Critics’ Consensus: Only Yesterday’s long-delayed U.S. debut fills a frustrating gap for American Ghibli fans while reinforcing the studio’s incredibly consistent commitment to quality.
Synopsis: Taeko Okajima is a twenty-seven-year-old office worker in Tokyo, leading a normal life and following a typical routine in Japan’s capital. One day, she decides to slow down and take a trip to the countryside, returning to the place where she was born and raised. Through this journey, she reminisces about her childhood and reflects on the course of her life.
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Dev Patel, Ashley Eckstein, Alison Fernandez
Directed by: Isao Takahata
Where to watch: Netflix
3. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Critics’ Consensus: A heartbreakingly sad anti-war film, Grave of the Fireflies is one of Studio Ghibli’s most profoundly beautiful and haunting works.
Synopsis: Siblings Setsuko and Seita live in Japan during World War II. After their mother dies in an American bombing raid and their father is called to war, they are sent to live with relatives. Unhappy with their situation, they leave the city and seek refuge in an isolated shelter in the forest, where they struggle with hunger and illness while finding moments of joy watching fireflies light up the night.
Starring: J. Robert Spencer, Rhoda Chrosite, Amy Jones, Kathleen McInerney
Directed by: Isao Takahata
Where to watch: Netflix
4. The First Slam Dunk (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Critics’ Consensus: An electrifying, thrilling, and wonderfully crafted manga adaptation, The First Slam Dunk scores a perfect shot.
Synopsis: A Japanese sports drama anime written and directed by Takehiko Inoue. The film follows 17-year-old Ryota Miyagi (Shugo Nakamura), a high school sophomore who has dedicated himself to fulfilling his late older brother Sota’s dream: to become a basketball star. Ryota plays for his school’s team alongside his teammates Sakuragi (Subaru Kimura), Rukawa (Shinichiro Kamio), Akagi (Kenta Miyake), and Mitsui (Jun Kasama) as they prepare to take on the reigning champions at the Inter-High National Championship.
Starring: Syugo Nakamura, Jun Kasama, Shinichiro Kamio, Subaru Kimura
Directed by: Takehiko Inoue
Where to watch: Netflix
5. Your Name (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
Critics’ Consensus: As beautifully animated as it is emotionally satisfying, Your Name adds another outstanding chapter to writer-director Makoto Shinkai’s filmography.
Synopsis: Mitsuha Miyamizu (Mone Kamishiraishi) is a young girl living in rural Japan who dreams of leaving her small town behind to seek opportunities in Tokyo. Meanwhile, Taki Tachibana (Ryûnosuke Kamiki), a young man working at an Italian restaurant in Tokyo, hopes to quit his job to pursue a career in architecture. The two have never met, yet they are mysteriously and inexplicably connected through visions in their dreams.
Starring: Michael Sinterniklaas, Stephanie Sheh, Laura Post, Glynis Ellis
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
6. Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
Critics’ Consensus: Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie is an exciting, beautifully animated gift for anime fans – and a story that stands strong on its own.
Synopsis: Yuuta Okkotsu is haunted. Ever since his childhood friend Rika died in a car accident, her spirit has remained bound to him. However, Rika does not appear as the sweet girl Yuuta once knew. Instead, she manifests as a monstrous and powerful entity, fiercely protecting him. Unable to control Rika’s violent tendencies, Yuuta feels powerless to stop the bloodshed that follows her vengeful outbursts. As a result, when he is captured by Jujutsu sorcerers—secret guardians trained to combat supernatural forces like Rika—Yuuta wishes to be completely isolated so that no one else gets hurt.
Starring: Kayleigh McKee, Anairis Quiñones, Allegra Clark, Xander Mobus
Directed by: Seong-Hu Park, Sunghoo Park
7. Demon Slayer – Mugen Train: The Movie
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
Critics’ Consensus: Demon Slayer’s visually stunning animation and masterfully crafted action sequences serve a heartfelt story that is sure to satisfy fans.
Synopsis: Demon Slayer – Mugen Train is set during Japan’s Taisho period. Young Tanjiro returns home after a day of work only to find his family brutally slaughtered by a demon. To make matters worse, his younger sister, Nezuko, has been transformed into a demon herself. Now, he must fight to avenge his family and find a way to restore his sister’s humanity.
Starring: Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, Aleks Le, Bryce Papenbrook
Directed by: Haruo Sotozaki
8. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
Critics’ Consensus: Kiki’s Delivery Service is a heartwarming and beautifully animated story about a young witch discovering her place in the world.
Synopsis: Kiki is a young witch who has just turned 13. According to tradition, all witches must leave home for a year at this age to learn how to live independently. She moves to the city of Koriko with her talking cat, Jiji. There, she learns how to move forward in life despite the challenges that come her way.
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds, Janeane Garofalo
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Where to watch: Netflix
9. In This Corner of the World (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 97%
Critics’ Consensus: In This Corner of the World offers a unique and grounded perspective on a frequently dramatized historical period, further distinguished by its beautiful hand-drawn animation.
Synopsis: Suzu, an 18-year-old girl, moves to Kure, a city near Hiroshima, during World War II. The film explores the brutality of war, including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but also highlights tender and hopeful moments among the characters, reflecting on life and resilience in times of conflict.
Starring: Non, Megumi Han, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Natsuki Inaba
Directed by: Sunao Katabuchi
10. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
Critics’ Consensus: The Boy and the Heron soulfully explores thought-provoking themes through a beautifully animated lens, marking yet another Miyazaki masterpiece.
Synopsis: Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, The Boy and the Heron is part of Studio Ghibli’s catalog and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Based on the 1937 book by Genzaburo Yoshino, the film follows Mahito Maki, a young boy living in Japan. After his mother’s death, Mahito moves with his family to a countryside estate with his new stepmother. There, a series of mysterious events leads him to an ancient and isolated tower, home to a mischievous heron. The narrative also includes details inspired by the director’s own childhood experiences.
Starring: Luca Padovan, Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Where to watch: Netflix
11. Spirited Away (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
Critics’ Consensus: Spirited Away is a dazzling, enchanting, and beautifully drawn fairy tale that will leave viewers even more curious and fascinated by the world around them.
Synopsis: Chihiro is a 10-year-old girl who believes the universe should cater to her whims. When she learns that her family is moving, she becomes furious. During the journey, Chihiro realizes her father has taken a wrong turn, leading them to a seemingly endless tunnel guarded by a strange statue. Curious, her parents decide to enter the tunnel, and Chihiro follows them. They arrive in a town devoid of inhabitants, where her parents begin eating food from one of the houses while Chihiro explores. She encounters Haku, a boy who warns her to leave immediately. When she returns to her parents, she is shocked to find they have transformed into giant pigs. This marks the beginning of Chihiro’s journey through a ghostly world inhabited by fantastic creatures, where humans are not welcome.
Starring: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Jason Marsden, Susan Egan
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Where to watch: Netflix
12. Suzume (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
Critics’ Consensus: Suzume sees director Makoto Shinkai falling just short of the brilliance of his previous works—but when the result is this visually stunning and emotionally impactful, it’s hard to find much fault.
Synopsis: From the creator of Your Name, Suzume no Tojimari follows two star-crossed lovers. Suzume, a 17-year-old girl living in a quiet town in Kyushu, meets a young man on a journey searching for mysterious doors. She follows him to an abandoned building in the mountains and finds a door that appears to be the only thing left standing amidst destruction. Drawn by an invisible force, Suzume reaches out to open it. Soon, doors start appearing all over Japan, unleashing chaos from the other side. These doors must be closed to prevent disaster. Thus begins Suzume’s “journey to close doors.”
Starring: Nanoka Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, Eri Fukatsu, Hakuo Matsumoto II
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
Where to watch: Netflix and Crunchyroll
13. Belle (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
Critics’ Consensus: With a remarkable story brought to life through dazzling animation, Belle sets a brilliant new benchmark for writer-director Mamoru Hosoda.
Synopsis: Belle (2021), directed by Mamoru Hosoda, follows the story of Suzu, a shy student who feels like a shadow of herself. Living in a rural village, she struggles to express herself until she discovers a new life inside the virtual world of “U.” In this digital realm, Suzu transforms into the famous singer Belle, where she finds the freedom to express her love for music without fear.
Starring: Kylie McNeill, Chace Crawford, Paul Castro Jr., Manny Jacinto
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
Where to watch: Netflix and Prime Video
14. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
Critics’ Consensus: A stunning feat of modern animation, Ghost in the Shell offers a thoughtful and complex experience for anime fans while serving as a perfect introduction for new viewers.
Synopsis: Ghost in the Shell (1995) is a cyberpunk anime film set in a futuristic world where technology and artificial intelligence dominate. It follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyber-enhanced government agent and leader of Section 9, an elite counter-cyberterrorism unit. The story revolves around her pursuit of a mysterious hacker known as “The Puppet Master,” who is stealing government secrets and manipulating people’s minds. As she delves deeper into the case, Motoko begins questioning her own identity, consciousness, and what it truly means to be human in a world where technology and humanity have become inseparably intertwined.
Starring: Richard Epcar, Mimi Woods, William Frederick Knight, Tom Wyner
Directed by: Mamoru Oshii
15. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Critics’ Consensus: Visually lush, refreshingly free of typical children’s movie tropes, and filled with emotional depth, The Secret World of Arrietty lives up to Studio Ghibli’s reputation.
Synopsis: In the suburbs of Tokyo, beneath the floorboards of an old house, Arrietty lives in her tiny world with her family, the Borrowers—little people who take discarded objects from humans to survive. They do everything to keep their existence a secret, while Arrietty curiously observes the lives of humans around her.
Starring: Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, David Henrie, Will Arnett
Directed by: Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Gary Rydstrom
Where to watch: Netflix
16. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Critics’ Consensus: My Neighbor Totoro is a sentimental and heartwarming masterpiece that captures the simple grace of childhood.
Synopsis: Two young girls move to the Japanese countryside with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. While exploring their new environment, one of the sisters, Mei, discovers a hidden path that leads to Totoro, a gentle forest spirit. The film is a beautiful story about childhood, friendship, and the connection between humans and nature.
Starring: Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Tim Daly, Lea Salonga
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Where to watch: Netflix
17. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
Critics’ Consensus: With its epic story and breathtaking visuals, Princess Mononoke is a landmark in the world of animation.
Synopsis: Ashitaka’s village is attacked by a strange demon, and he bravely faces the creature, managing to defeat it. However, before dying, the beast curses his arm, leaving him with a deadly affliction. The curse will consume him with hatred until he becomes a demon himself—unless he finds a cure in the Forbidden Forest. Thus begins Ashitaka’s journey, where he will encounter mystical creatures, cursed princesses, and the mysteries of nature. He also meets humans who seek to destroy the forest and San, the fearless Princess Mononoke.
Starring: Claire Danes, Billy Bob Thornton, Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Where to watch: Netflix
18. Millennium Actress (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
Critics’ Consensus: The story of an aging movie actress’ complicated personal saga unfolds in this sophisticated anime film that deftly blurs memory and make-believe into a meditation on the nature of cinema itself.
Synopsis: Chiyoko (Miyoko Shôji) is a renowned actress who suddenly abandoned her career. Years later, she decides to tell her life story and the reasons behind her seclusion. As her past unfolds, reality, fantasy, and imagination intertwine in a beautifully layered narrative.
Starring: Miyoko Shôji, Mami Koyama, Fumiko Orikasa, Shôzô Iizuka
Directed by: Satoshi Kon
19. Miss Hokusai (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
Critics’ Consensus: Miss Hokusai illuminates the life and creative legacy of its brilliant protagonist with a beautifully animated biopic whose stunning visuals match its narrative grace.
Synopsis: Set in 1814, the film focuses on O-Ei (Erica Lindbeck), the daughter of the famous artist Tetsuzo Hokusai, as she navigates the complexities of her life. She spends most of her time assisting her divorced father, who is more devoted to his art than anything else.
Starring: Kumiko Asô, Gaku Hamada, Kengo Kôra, Yutaka Matsushige
Directed by: Keiichi Hara
20. The Red Turtle (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
Critics’ Consensus: The Red Turtle adds another chapter to Studio Ghibli’s esteemed legacy with a beautifully animated film whose deceptively simple story boasts narrative layers as richly absorbing as its lovely visuals.
Synopsis: After surviving a shipwreck, a man finds himself stranded on a deserted island. He learns to survive by fishing and eventually tries to escape by building a raft. However, each time he sets sail, an unknown force destroys his raft. He soon discovers that the culprit is a giant red turtle, with whom he will form an unusual and profound connection.
Starring: Barbara Beretta, Tom Hudson, Emmanuel Garijo, Maud Brethenoux
Directed by: Michael Dudok de Wit
Where to watch: Prime Video (rental here)
The Evolution of Anime Movies
Anime films have undergone significant transformations over the decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, works like Akira and Ghost in the Shell showcased the potential of Japanese animation to tell deep and complex stories. 2000s, Studio Ghibli dominated the international scene, winning awards and gaining worldwide popularity. In the modern era, directors like Makoto Shinkai and major franchises like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are taking anime to new heights.
Where to Watch Anime Movies?
If you want to explore these incredible animations, several streaming platforms offer a vast catalog of anime films:
- Netflix – Studio Ghibli, Your Name, Demon Slayer
- Crunchyroll – Jujutsu Kaisen 0, 5 Centimeters per Second, The Garden of Words
- Prime Video – Ghost in the Shell, Perfect Blue, Paprika
What Is the Best Anime Movie?
Choosing the best anime movie is subjective, as it depends on personal taste. For those seeking intense action, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train is a great pick. If you prefer something more thought-provoking, Your Name and 5 Centimeters per Second are excellent choices. And if you’re looking for a timeless classic, Spirited Away remains one of the best options.
No matter your choice, all of these films represent the very best of Japanese animation.
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