Hello movie lovers! Welcome back to the animated world!
Let me guess…. You have been tired of searching for the best anime movies of all time. Am I right?
Don’t worry! we’ve reviewed all the popular anime movies and chosen the 30 best anime movies only for you. All the movies listed below are selected by watching them, checking other websites, and based on ratings:)
Table of Contents
1. Spirited Away
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date: July 20, 2001
Running Time: 2 Hours 5 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
Synopsis: The story follows a young girl named Chihiro who, while moving to a new neighborhood, stumbles upon a mysterious world of spirits. After her parents are transformed into pigs by eating enchanted food, Chihiro must navigate through this spirit world and work at a bathhouse for the spirits to free herself and her parents. Along the way, she encounters a variety of fascinating and sometimes dangerous characters, including Haku, a young boy who helps her, and Yubaba, the powerful witch who runs the bathhouse.
2. Perfect Blue
Directed by: Satoshi Kon
Release Date: February 28, 1998
Running Time: 1 Hour 21 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Synopsis: This movie tells the story of Mima Kirigoe, a pop idol who decides to leave her singing career to pursue acting. However, as she transitions into her new career, she becomes the target of a stalker who is obsessed with her. As the stalker’s actions escalate, Mima’s perception of reality begins to blur, and she struggles to distinguish between what is real and what is a figment of her imagination.
3. Arrietty
Directed by: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Release Date: July 17, 2010
Running Time: 1 Hour 34 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Synopsis: It tells the enchanting story of a young Borrower named Arrietty Clock. The Borrowers are tiny people who live beneath the floorboards of a house and “borrow” small items from the human inhabitants to survive. Arrietty, along with her parents Homily and Pod, leads a hidden and peaceful existence, ensuring they remain undetected by the humans. However, Arrietty’s life takes an unexpected turn when a human boy named Shō discovers her. Despite the risks involved, they form a friendship and help each other navigate their worlds.
4. When Marnie Was There
Directed by: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Release Date: July 19, 2014
Running Time: 1 Hour 43 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Synopsis: This movie follows the story of a young girl named Anna Sasaki, who is sent to live with relatives in a rural seaside town to recover from her asthma and depression. While there, she comes across an abandoned mansion called Marsh House, which seems to be haunted and holds a mysterious presence. One day, she meets a girl named Marnie, who lives in the mansion. Despite their contrasting personalities, Anna and Marnie quickly form a deep and meaningful friendship. As their bond strengthens, Anna begins to unravel the secrets of Marnie’s past and discovers unexpected connections to her own life.
5. Grave of The Fireflies
Directed by: Isao Takahata
Release Date: April 16, 1988
Running Time: 1 Hour 29 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
Synopsis: The movie is set in Japan during World War II and follows the heartbreaking story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko. After their city is bombed, Seita and Setsuko are left orphaned and struggle to survive amid the devastation and chaos of war. The young siblings are forced to rely on each other for support and survival.
6. Howl’s Moving Castle
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date: November 20, 2004
Running Time: 1 Hour 59 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Synopsis: The story revolves around a young girl named Sophie Hatter. Sophie, a humble hat maker, has an encounter with the enigmatic wizard Howl and incurs the wrath of the Witch of the Waste. As a result, Sophie is cursed and transformed into an elderly woman. Seeking a way to break the curse, she embarks on a journey and ends up at Howl’s moving castle, a fantastical mobile fortress powered by magic.
7. Your Name
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
Release Date: August 26, 2016
Running Time: 1 Hour 52 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
Synopsis: The film tells the story of two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, who inexplicably start switching bodies intermittently. Taki is a high school boy living in Tokyo, while Mitsuha is a girl residing in a rural town called Itomori. Despite never having met each other, they begin to experience the phenomenon of waking up in each other’s bodies and living each other’s lives. As Taki and Mitsuha delve deeper into their connection, they discover that their body-swapping experiences are tied to a celestial event, with their lives becoming intertwined across time and space.
8. Ghost In Shell
Directed by: Mamoru Oshii
Release Date: December 8, 1995
Running Time: 1 Hour 23 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Synopsis: The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg officer in the counter-terrorism organization known as Public Security Section 9. This movie delves into complex philosophical questions as Major Kusanagi investigates a hacker known as the Puppet Master, who is capable of manipulating people’s minds and memories
9. My Neighbor Totoro
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date: April 16, 1988
Running Time: 1 Hour 26 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Synopsis: The film tells the story of two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their ailing mother. In their new rural home, the sisters encounter magical creatures and embark on adventures. They befriend Totoro, a gentle forest spirit, and other whimsical creatures that inhabit the nearby forest.
10. Princess Mononoke
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date: July 12, 1997
Running Time: 2 Hour 13 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Synopsis: The story follows Ashitaka, a young prince who becomes cursed after defending his village from a rampaging boar god. In search of a cure, he embarks on a journey that takes him to the wilderness and the realm of forest spirits. There, he becomes entangled in a conflict between the industrialized Iron Town, led by Lady Eboshi, and the forest spirits, represented by the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a human raised by wolves.
11. A Silent Voice
Directed by: Naoko Yamada
Release Date: September 17, 2016
Running Time: 2 Hours 9 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Synopsis: The story revolves around Shoya Ishida, a young boy who, in elementary school, bullied a deaf girl named Shoko Nishimiya. However, as time goes on, Shoya realizes the consequences of his actions and seeks redemption. In high school, he reconnects with Shoko and attempts to make amends by building a genuine friendship and understanding with her.
12. Akira
Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo
Release Date: July 16, 1988
Running Time: 2 Hours 4 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Synopsis: The story centers around Kaneda, a young biker gang leader, and his friend Tetsuo. When Tetsuo gains powerful psychic abilities after a motorcycle accident, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy involving a secret government project and a group of revolutionaries. As Tetsuo’s powers spiral out of control, Kaneda must confront his friend’s descent into madness and the destructive forces threatening to consume Neo-Tokyo.
13. Wolf Children
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
Release Date: July 21, 2012
Running Time: 1 Hour 57 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Synopsis: The film follows the story of a young woman named Hana who falls in love with a mysterious man who can transform into a wolf. Together, they have two children: a boy named Ame and a girl named Yuki, who inherit their father’s ability to transform into wolves. After their father’s untimely death, Hana decides to raise her children in the countryside, away from prying eyes. As Ame and Yuki grow up, they face the challenge of balancing their human and wolf identities.
14. The Tale of Princess Kaguya
Directed by: Isao Takahata
Release Date: November 23, 2013
Running Time: 2 Hours 17 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Synopsis: The story revolves around a humble bamboo cutter who discovers a tiny girl inside a glowing bamboo stalk. Believing her to be a divine presence, he and his wife raise her as their own. The girl, named Kaguya, rapidly grows into a beautiful young woman with a captivating presence. As rumors spread of her beauty, Kaguya attracts the attention of many suitors, including nobles and princes. However, she remains uninterested in their advances and longs for a simple and free life in nature.
15. Weathering With You
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
Release Date: July 19, 2019
Running Time: 1 Hour 54 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Synopsis: It follows the story of Hodaka, a teenage boy who runs away from his small island hometown to a bustling city. There, he meets Hina, a young girl who can control the weather. Together, they embark on a journey to bring sunshine back to their lives and to the city.
16. The Wind Rises
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date: July 20, 2013
Running Time: 2 Hours 6 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Synopsis: The film is a fictionalized biographical drama that tells the story of Jiro Horikoshi, an aeronautical engineer who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II. Set in the early 20th century, the movie follows Jiro’s life from his childhood dreams of flying and designing airplanes to his adulthood as he becomes a successful engineer. The film explores Jiro’s passion for aviation, his love for a young woman named Nahoko, and his conflicted feelings about the purpose of his work, knowing that the planes he designs will be used for warfare.
17. 5 Centimeters Per Second
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
Release Date: March 3, 2007
Running Time: 1 Hour 3 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Synopsis: It is a romantic drama that tells the story of two individuals, Takaki Tōno and Akari Shinohara, and their bittersweet journey through life and love. The film is divided into three segments, each representing a different stage in their lives. The first segment, “Cherry Blossom,” takes place when Takaki and Akari become close friends and develop feelings for each other in elementary school students. , but circumstances force them apart as Akari moves away with her family. The second segment, “Cosmonaut,” follows Takaki during his teenage years. He is still haunted by memories of Akari and struggles with his loneliness and inability to let go of the past. In the final segment, “5 Centimeters Per Second,” Takaki is now a young adult. The film explores his search for closure and the emotional distance that has grown between him and the world around him.
18. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
Release Date: July 15, 2006
Running Time: 1 Hour 38 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Synopsis: The film revolves around a high school girl named Makoto Konno, who gains the ability to time travel and explores the consequences and lessons she learns through her experiences. Initially, Makoto uses her newfound power for personal gains, such as fixing mistakes, avoiding embarrassing situations, and enhancing her daily life. However, as Makoto repeatedly travels through time, she starts to realize the unintended consequences of her actions.
19. Nausica’a’ of The Valley of The Wind
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date:: March 11, 1984
Running Time: 1 Hour 57 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Synopsis: The story follows the young princess Nausicaä, who lives in the peaceful Valley of the Wind. She possesses a deep connection with nature and possesses the ability to communicate with the creatures of the toxic forest. When a neighboring kingdom wages war and threatens the balance of the ecosystem, Nausicaä embarks on a journey to understand the truth behind the toxic jungle and prevent further destruction.
20. Castle in The Sky
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date:: August 2, 1986
Running Time: 2 Hours 4 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Synopsis: The story is set in a steampunk-inspired world and follows two young people:- Sheeta, a girl with a mysterious pendant, and Pazu, a young boy who dreams of finding the legendary floating city of Laputa. Together, they embark on an adventure to discover the secrets of Sheeta’s pendant and uncover the hidden castle in the sky.
21. Kiki’s Delivery Service
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Release Date:: July 29, 1989
Running Time: 1 Hour 42 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Synopsis: The story revolves around a young witch named Kiki who, at the age of 13, leaves her home to embark on a year-long training period as is customary for witches. Accompanied by her talking cat, Jiji, Kiki settles in a seaside town and establishes a delivery service using her flying broomstick.
22. From Up on Poppy Hill
Directed by: Goro Miyazaki
Release Date:: July 16, 2011
Running Time: 1 Hour 31 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Synopsis: The story centers around a high school girl named Umi Matsuzaki, who lives in a boarding house overlooking the harbor. Umi, along with her friends, works together to save their school’s old clubhouse from demolition by the school’s chairman. As Umi becomes closer to Shun Kazama, a member of the school’s newspaper club, they uncover a shared family secret that may jeopardize their growing romance.
23. The disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Directed by: Yasuhiro Takemoto, Tatsuya Ishihara
Release Date:: February 6, 2010
Running Time: 2 Hour 44 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Synopsis: The story takes place in a high school setting and follows the adventures of Haruhi Suzumiya, a quirky and energetic girl who unknowingly possesses the ability to change reality according to her desires. She forms the SOS Brigade, a club dedicated to seeking out supernatural phenomena, along with Kyon, a sarcastic and level-headed student who narrates the story.
24. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
Directed by: Shinichiro Ushijima
Release Date:: September 1, 2018
Running Time: 1 Hour 48 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8/10
Synopsis: The story revolves around a high school student named Sakura Yamauchi, who reveals to her classmate that she is suffering from a terminal pancreatic illness. Despite their initial differences, the two characters form an unlikely bond and develop a deep friendship. The boy, who is initially reluctant to engage with Sakura due to her illness, gradually learns to appreciate her zest for life and her positive outlook. Together, they embark on various adventures and experiences, making precious memories along the way.
25. Suzume
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
Release Date:: November 11, 2022
Running Time: 2 Hours 2 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Synopsis: It is the story of a determined teenager named Suzume who sets out on a mission to save her country when the sky turns red and the earth trembles. She is able to see supernatural forces that others cannot. So she tries to close the supernatural door which creates chaos.
26. In This Corner of The World
Directed by: Sunao Katabuchi
Release Date:: October 28, 2016
Running Time: 2 Hours 9 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Synopsis: The film is set during World War II and follows the life of a young woman named Suzu Urano. Suzu grows up in Hiroshima and later moves to the coastal town of Kure after marrying Shūsaku, a naval officer. As the war progresses, Suzu faces the challenges and hardships of daily life in a country at war, including rationing, air raids, and the constant fear of loss.
27. Millennium Actress
Directed by: Satoshi Kon
Release Date:: September 14, 2002
Running Time: 1 Hour 27minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Synopsis: The story follows the life of Chiyoko Fujiwara, a retired actress who, in her old age, is being interviewed for a documentary about her life. As she recounts her career and personal experiences, the film blurs the boundaries between reality and the movies she starred in.
28. Only Yesterday
Directed by: Isao Takahata
Release Date:: July 20, 1991
Running Time: 1 Hour 58 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Synopsis: The story follows a 27-year-old woman named Taeko Okajima, who takes a trip from Tokyo to the countryside to help with the safflower harvest. During her journey, Taeko reminisces about her childhood and reflects on her experiences, dreams, and relationships.
29. The End of Evangelion
Directed by: Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki
Release Date:: July 19, 1997
Running Time: 1 Hour 30 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Synopsis: “The End of Evangelion” is an abstract and complex film that serves as an alternate ending to the anime series “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” It explores the psychological turmoil of the main character, Shinji, as he faces an impending apocalypse and grapples with self-worth and the meaning of existence. The film combines intense action with introspective moments, inviting interpretation and discussion among viewers.
30. Josee, The Tiger, and The Fish
Directed by: Kotaro Tamura
Release Date:: December 25, 2020
Running Time: 1 Hour 38 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Synopsis: The story revolves around Tsuneo, a university student who encounters Josee, a wheelchair-bound young woman with a vibrant imagination. As they spend time together, their friendship deepens, and they discover new perspectives on life and love.
We hope this article helped you to find the best anime movies of all time.
