The 20+ Best Anime Movies You Need to Watch Before You Die
By Ankita Tripathy
13 February, 2024
Entertainment
Last Updated on: December 21st, 2024
Do you enjoy watching animated movies that can make you laugh, cry, and think? Do you want to discover new and amazing anime movies that you might have missed?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this article is for you. In this article, I will share with you the list of top 20 best anime movies of all time, according to critics and fans alike.
These are the movies that showcase the beauty and diversity of anime, which is a form of art that can appeal to anyone.
So, whether you are a fan of action, romance, comedy, horror, or fantasy, there is an anime movie for you.
Therefore, keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…
Top 20 best anime movies of all time!
Anime is a form of animation that originated in Japan and has become a global phenomenon. Anime movies are popular for their stunning visuals, captivating stories, and diverse genres.
But where do you begin?
That is where I will help you out.
Anime is more than yamete kudasai! Being an otaku myself, I have spent a considerable amount of time in my life watching anime. From drama to movies, I have actually seen, enjoyed, critiqued, loved, and disliked a lot of them.
Hence, I have made this list of some of the best anime movies of all time that you MUST watch. So, whether you are a newbie taking baby steps or are a passionate weeb, this is the list that you need!
These are the movies that you need to watch before you die because they will enrich your imagination, touch your emotions, and inspire your creativity.
Here are the 20 best anime movies of all time, in no order.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
First on this list is Spirited Away. It is a masterpiece by the legendary director Hayao Miyazaki, who is no less than the Walt Disney of Japan.
The movie follows the adventures of a 10-year-old girl, Chihiro, who gets lost in a magical world of spirits, gods, and monsters.
She must work at a witch’s bathhouse and find a way to save her parents, who have become pigs because of their gluttony.
Spirited Away is a beautiful and enchanting movie that explores themes of identity, courage, and love. Besides, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003 and is the highest-grossing anime movie of all time.
2. Akira (1988)
Secondly, Akira is a landmark movie that revolutionized the anime industry and influenced many sci-fi and cyberpunk works. It definitely counts on the list of list of top 20 best anime movies.
The movie is set in a dystopian Tokyo in 2019. In this movie, a biker gang leader, Kaneda, gets involved in a secret government project that unleashes a powerful psychic named Akira.
The movie is a stunning spectacle of animation with detailed backgrounds, fluid movements, and explosive action scenes.
Additionally, Akira is also a complex and dark story that deals with themes of violence, corruption, and human nature. It is widely popular as one of the greatest animated movies of all time.
3. Your Name (2016)
The third one on this list is Your Name. It is a romantic fantasy movie that broke box office records and became a worldwide sensation.
The movie tells the story of two teenagers, Mitsuha and Taki, who live in different parts of Japan and have never met. However, they start to switch bodies randomly and communicate through notes and phone calls.
As they get to know each other, they develop a deep connection and try to find each other. Your Name is a heartwarming and emotional movie that blends comedy, drama, and mystery.
Moreover, it also showcases the beauty and culture of Japan, with stunning animation and music.
4. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies is a tragic and powerful movie that depicts the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Due to its high intensity, we have kept it in the list of list of top 20 best anime movies.
The movie is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka, who lost his sister during World War II.
The movie follows the lives of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko. They are truly the most adorable siblings that I have ever come across in an anime.
I honestly cried the first time I saw their struggle to survive in Japan after the bombing of their city and the death of their mother. Throughout the movie, they face hunger, disease, and cruelty while trying to find a place to call home.
Additionally, Grave of the Fireflies is a movie that will make you cry but also make you appreciate the value of life and love.
5. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Princess Mononoke is another masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki, who is popular for his environmental and feminist themes. The movie is set in medieval Japan, where humans and nature conflict.
The movie follows the journey of Asitaka, a young prince who is seeking a cure in the forest for the curse of a demon. There, he meets San, a girl raised by wolves who is fighting against the humans who are destroying the forest.
Princess Mononoke deservingly finds a place in the list of top 20 best anime movies that explores the themes of coexistence, balance, and harmony with breathtaking animation and epic action scenes. Besides, It is one of the most acclaimed and influential anime movies of all time.
6. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Ghost in the Shell is a movie that defined the genre of cyberpunk and inspired many works, such as The Matrix and Blade Runner.
This Mamoru Oshii movie is based on Masamune Shirow’s manga. It is set in a futuristic world, where humans can enhance their bodies with cybernetics and connect to the internet through their brains.
One of the best Halloween movies, this one follows the story of a cyborg agent named Motoko Kusanagi, who is hunting down a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master.
Additionally, Ghost in the Shell is a movie that raises questions about identity, consciousness, and reality, with stunning animation and sound design.
7. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
My Neighbor Totoro is a movie that will make you smile and warm your heart. Hayao Miyazaki directed the movie, and it is one of his most beloved and iconic works.
The movie follows the adventures of two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father while their mother is in the hospital.
There, they encounter a friendly and fluffy creature named Totoro, who is the guardian of the forest. Totoro introduces them to a magical world of wonder and joy.
My Neighbor Totoro, according to audiences finds a place in the list of the top 20 best anime movies. It celebrates the innocence and imagination of childhood, with adorable characters and charming animation.
8. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
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Howl’s Moving Castle is a movie that will take you on a fantastical and whimsical journey. The movie is based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones and is directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
The movie follows the story of a young woman named Sophie, who is cursed by a witch and turned into an old lady. She runs away from her home and finds refuge in a moving castle, where she meets a mysterious and handsome wizard named Howl.
Together, they embark on an adventure to break the curse and stop a war. Howl’s Moving Castle is a movie that blends romance, comedy, and adventure, with stunning animation and music.
9. Perfect Blue (1997)
Perfect Blue is a movie that will mess with your mind and keep you on the edge of your seat. The movie is directed by Satoshi Kon, who is known for his psychological and surreal works.
The movie follows the story of a pop idol named Mima, who decides to quit her singing career and pursue acting. However, she soon becomes the target of a stalker, who is obsessed with her former image.
She also starts to lose her grip on reality, as visions and nightmares haunt her. Perfect Blue is a movie that explores themes of identity, fame, and madness, with a twisty and thrilling plot.
10. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is a movie that will make you groove and rock. The movie is based on a popular anime series by Shinichiro Watanabe, who is known for his stylish and cool works.
The movie is set in a futuristic world, where bounty hunters roam space and chase criminals. This anime follows the story of a ragtag crew of bounty hunters, who are after a terrorist who plans to unleash a deadly virus on Mars.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is a movie that combines action, comedy, and drama, with a jazzy and funky soundtrack.
11. Wolf Children (2012)
Wolf Children is a movie that will make you laugh and cry. The movie is directed by Mamoru Hosoda, who is known for his heartwarming and touching works.
The movie follows the story of a young woman named Hana, who falls in love with a man who is a wolf. They have two children, who inherit their father’s ability to transform into wolves.
After their father dies, Hana decides to raise her children in the countryside, where they can be free and happy.
Wolf Children is a movie that explores the themes of family, love, and identity, with beautiful animation and music.
12. Paprika (2006)
Paprika is a movie that will dazzle and amaze you. Satoshi Kon directed the movie, and it was his final work before his death.
The movie is set in a world where a device called the DC Mini can allow people to enter and manipulate other people’s dreams. The movie follows the story of a young woman named Paprika, who is a therapist and a dream detective.
She uses the DC Mini to help her clients but also to stop a group of terrorists who are using the device to create chaos and destruction.
Paprika is a movie that showcases the power and beauty of dreams, with stunning animation and music.
13. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a movie that will make you think and feel. The movie is based on a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui and is directed by Mamoru Hosoda.
The movie follows the story of a high school girl named Makoto, who discovers that she can travel back in time by leaping. She uses her power to have fun and fix her mistakes but soon realizes that her actions have consequences.
She also must deal with her feelings for her best friend, who has a secret of his own. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a movie that explores the themes of friendship, love, choice, and responsibility with a humorous and charming tone.
14. The Wind Rises (2013)
The Wind Rises is a movie that will inspire and move you. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, it was considered to be one of his final works before his retirement.
The Wind Rises is based on the life of Jiro Horikoshi, who was the designer of the Zero fighter plane used by Japan in World War II.
The movie follows his dreams, passions, and challenges as he pursues his love for aviation and engineering. The movie also depicts his romance with a woman named Nahoko, who suffers from tuberculosis.
The Wind Rises is a movie that celebrates the beauty and tragedy of life, with stunning animation and music.
15. A Silent Voice (2016)
A Silent Voice is a movie that will touch and heal you. The movie is based on a manga by Yoshitoki Oima, and is directed by Naoko Yamada.
The movie follows the story of a boy named Shoya, who bullied a deaf girl named Shoko in elementary school. Years later, he is tormented by guilt and loneliness and decides to seek forgiveness from Shoko.
He also tries to make amends with his former friends and himself. A Silent Voice is a movie that explores the themes of bullying, redemption, and friendship, with realistic and emotional animation and voice acting.
16. Weathering With You (2019)
Weathering With You is a movie that will dazzle and delight you. The movie is directed by Makoto Shinkai, known for his stunning and romantic works.
The movie follows the story of a runaway boy named Hodaka, who arrives in Tokyo and meets a girl named Hina, who can control the weather.
Together, they start a business of clearing the skies for people who need sunshine. However, they soon discover that their actions have a price and that they face a difficult choice.
Moreover, Weathering With You is a movie that showcases the beauty and power of nature, with breathtaking animation and music.
17. Millennium Actress (2001)
Millennium Actress is a movie that will fascinate and impress you. Satoshi Kon directed the movie, and it is a tribute to the history and culture of Japan.
The movie follows the story of a retired actress named Chiyoko, who a documentary filmmaker interviews. As she recounts her life and career, the movie switches between reality and fiction, blending her memories with the roles she played.
The movie also depicts the events and changes that Japan went through in the 20th century. Millennium Actress is a movie that celebrates the art and passion of cinema, with creative and innovative animation and storytelling.
18. The Boy And The Beast (2015)
The Boy and the Beast is a movie that will entertain and inspire you. The movie is directed by Mamoru Hosoda and is a fantasy adventure story. The movie follows the story of a lonely boy named Ren, who runs away from his home and finds a portal to a parallel world of beasts.
There, he meets a grumpy and powerful beast named Kumatetsu, who takes him as his apprentice. They form a bond of friendship and rivalry, as they train and grow together. The movie also explores the themes of identity, family, and belonging, with dynamic and expressive animation and characters.
19. Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a movie that will awe and enlighten you. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, it is one of his earliest and most influential works.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Valley of the Wind tells the story of a place where humans and giant insects coexist in a toxic forest.
The movie follows the story of a princess named Nausicaä, who has a special connection with the forest and its creatures. She tries to prevent a war between humans and insects and restore the balance of the world.
In conclusion, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a movie that explores themes of ecology, peace, and courage with epic and beautiful animation and music.
20. Summer Wars (2009)
Summer Wars is a movie that will amuse and thrill you. Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, this one is a sci-fi comedy story.
Summer Wars follows the story of a high school boy named Kenji, who is invited by his crush, Natsuki, to her family’s house for her grandmother’s birthday.
There, he gets involved in a crisis that threatens the world, as a rogue artificial intelligence hacks into a virtual reality network called OZ. Additionally, he must team up with Natsuki’s eccentric family and friends and use his math skills to stop the AI.
Summer Wars is a movie that combines humor, action, and drama with colorful and lively animation and characters. So, if that is what you are into, you should give this one a watch!
21. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Tokyo Godfathers is a movie that will warm and surprise you. This comedy-drama is yet another one on the list that Satoshi Kon has directed.
The movie follows the story of three homeless people, a middle-aged man, a young runaway girl, and a transgender woman, who find a baby abandoned in a dumpster on Christmas Eve.
They decide to take care of the baby and to find her parents. Along the way, they encounter various challenges, coincidences, and miracles that change their lives.
Furthermore, Tokyo Godfathers is a movie that explores the themes of family, fate, and hope. All this, with realistic and humorous animation and voice acting.
22. The Garden Of Words (2013)
The Garden of Words is a movie that will charm and captivate you. This Makoto Shinkai anime is an excellent romantic drama.
The movie follows the story of a 15-year-old boy named Takao, who dreams of becoming a shoemaker. He skips school on rainy days and goes to a park, where he meets a 27-year-old woman named Yukino, who is a teacher.
They form a friendship and share their thoughts and feelings without knowing each other’s names or backgrounds.
Additionally, the movie also depicts the beauty and symbolism of rain with stunning animation and music. My personal favorite, this movie is definitely one of the best anime movies of all time.
23. The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010)
Lastly, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a movie that will intrigue and astound you. The movie is based on a popular anime series by Kyoto Animation and is a sci-fi mystery story.
The movie follows the story of Kyon, a high school boy who is a member of the SOS Brigade club. Haruhi, a girl who has the power to alter reality, leads the club.
One day, Kyon wakes up and finds that everything has changed. Haruhi is gone, his friends have different personalities, and the world is normal and boring. He must find out what happened and how to restore the original world.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a movie that challenges the concepts of reality, memory, and identity, with clever and captivating animation and storytelling.
Wrapping It Up!
You have just read about the 20 best anime movies of all time, according to critics and fans alike. These are the movies that will make you experience a range of emotions, thoughts, and sensations.
I hope you enjoyed this article on the best anime movies of all time. These are the movies that you should watch before you die because they will make you experience a range of emotions, thoughts, and sensations.
Furthermore, they will also introduce you to the rich and diverse world of anime, which is a form of art that can appeal to anyone. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to share them with me.
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