The 10 Best Anime Movies of the 2020s So Far, Ranked

The 2020s have been full of many amazing anime movies. It’s almost as if, if a franchise is big enough, it will eventually have a theatrical release. And there is no better medium to tell short stories to begin with. Undoubtedly, this decade has delivered movies that redefine animation and storytelling standards.

The industry is currently in its prime era, with movies like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle breaking international box office records. So, let’s rank the top ten movies that have been released in this decade so far, based purely on how good these movies are, considering animation, storytelling, and overall impact.

10 One Piece Film: Red Is the Ultimate Theatrical Concert

The story of this One Piece movie focuses on Uta, a famous idol and estranged adopted daughter of Red-Haired Shanks. She invited pirates, the Navy, and the Straw Hat crew to her massive live concert. Her true plan, however, is to trap everyone inside a dream reality using her Devil Fruit Powers. She thinks that her plan is good for the world, as it will end all suffering.

One Piece Film: Red felt more like a theatrical concert than a standard movie. The singing voice of Uta was delivered by Ado, who is a Japanese singer well known for her strong and unique voice. Ado was the perfect choice for the movie. Overall, One Piece Film Red‘s box office success in Japan was well worth. That said, this film ranks this low because of the prerequisite of watching a huge anime.

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix

9 Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Is the Genre-Defining Movie

Unlike most movies in this ranking that are either sequels or standalone masterpieces, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel to the existing anime. This movie follows Yuta Okkotsu, who is a special grade new student in the Jujutsu High studying under Satoru Gojo. What makes this character interesting, for starters, is the fact that Gege Akutami, the author, intended him to be the true protagonist in the beginning.

This movie defines what a modern dark fantasy looks like. Studio MAPPA delivered a product with zero drop in quality. Despite being connected to a big franchise, you do not need any knowledge to watch this movie. While the animations in Season 3 of the anime definitely surpassed this movie, when it came out, it too defined what the best of the best action animation looks like.

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

8 Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc – The Perfect Mix of Action and Romance

Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is a direct sequel to the Chainsaw Man anime. Denji meets a girl named Reze, and for the first time in his life, he experiences a normal dynamic with someone, and the two quickly develop a romantic connection. They sneak into schools, talk about their futures, and experience a normal life that none of them had before. However, Denji’s life is not simple, and Reze turns out to be the Bomb Devil.

This movie captures Tatsuki Fujimoto’s chaotic tone perfectly. The contrast between the soft, sunlit cafe scenes and the dark, blood-soaked night battles highlights the studio’s range as well. This movie practically established a benchmark on how to properly adapt a complex manga arc without losing the core of it. This movie would’ve been in the top five if it was stand alone.

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

7 The First Slam Dunk Is the Perfect Sports Anime Movie

This movie adapts the final match between Shohoku High and the undefeated Sannoh High. However, instead of focusing on the protagonist, Hanamichi Sakuragi, the movie shifts its POV to the point guard, Ryota Miyagi. The movie alternates between the real-time basketball game that is going on and flashbacks showing Miyagi’s childhood trauma and his relationship with his deceased older brother.

The movie made a bold decision and used 3D CGI instead of standard 2D animations. What this movie does really well is use the basketball game moments as a direct metaphor for Miyagi’s mental state. Furthermore, the attention to detail in this anime is unparalleled.

Where to Watch: Netflix

6 Demon Slayer: The Movie: Infinity Castle Is the Pinnacle of Action Anime

This movie is the beginning of the final arc in the Demon Slayer franchise. It starts off with Tanjiro and the other demon slayers dropping straight into the Infinity Castle, which is like the domain of Muzan. Everyone is separated, and that opens a lot of room to explore each and every character one by one. For example, Zenitsu finally meets the demon who used to be his senior, and Tanjiro finally gets to defeat Akaza.

This movie wastes zero time. What makes this movie amazing is how Ufotable handled the animations. The studio made sure everyone knew that they had a big budget, setting a standard for action anime that makes the previous works look like cheap animations. However, the reason this movie ranks this low is that, other than spectacular animations, it did not have much plot besides fighting.

Where to Watch: No Streaming Release (as of May 12, 2026)

5 The Boy and the Heron Was Another Miyazaki Masterpiece

The Boy and the Heron follows Mahito, a teenage boy processing the heavy grief of losing his mother. He moved to the countryside following his father’s marriage to his late mother’s sister, which made things really awkward for him. Mahito struggles to adapt and is soon antagonized by a talking Grey Heron. The bird baits him into exploring an abandoned, sealed-off tower by claiming his mother is still alive inside.

From a pure technical perspective, this movie was near perfect. The hand-drawn animations were amazing, and the fluidity of the environment details proved that Studio Ghibli is still just as good.

However, the only reason this movie couldn’t move further in this ranking is that the world-building lacked logic, as the rules of the world were introduced and abandoned randomly. But at the same time, this is still a masterpiece that showed why Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli are so loved for a reason.

Where to Watch: HBO Max

4 Look Back – The Short Masterpiece of Tatsuki Fujimoto

Look Back is yet another work of Tatsuki Fujimoto. His work being twice in this ranking shows just how amazing an author he is. The plot centers on two girls: Fujino, who is confident and lives her life to the fullest, and Kyomoto, who is a shut-in. Both of them compete in their school’s manga competition, and Fujino is surprised to see just how good Kyomoto is. Eventually, they develop a deep friendship.

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s writing translated really well in the movie format. The animation style perfectly shows the emotions that are being invoked in the character and by the characters.

The lack of background music in the movie during important scenes ends up emphasizing them instead. One thing this movie does better than any other is showing the agonizing, repetitive nature of being an artist. The movie was so good that it’s getting a live-action adaptation too now.

Where to Watch: Prime Video

3 Josee, the Tiger and the Fish Is the Perfect Coming-Of-Age Romance

Tsuneo is a young man who wants to study marine biology abroad. To make money for that, he takes a part-time job as a caretaker for Kumiko, a sharp-tongued young woman who is specially abled and needs to use a wheelchair. The movie follows the evolving friendship and then eventually romance between the two. One thing this movie does really well is show the struggles of a person with special needs in the modern world.

This movie treats the character with realism rather than using it for tragic points. The romance is also natural, focusing on both characters as they slowly open up to each other.

The animation by Studio Bones is spectacular, especially when it comes to showing the ocean, as that is a huge part of this movie. The reason this movie ranks this high is because it managed to create two perfect character arcs in a very limited time, delivering a perfect romance.

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

2 Violet Evergarden Movie Was the Perfect Finale

Following the events of the anime, Violet continues her work as an Auto Memory Doll, writing letters for people who cannot express their emotions or write. While she has slowly started understanding the normal feelings that people have, she is still fixated on her former commander, Major Gilbert. One day, she receives the news that Gilbert actually survived the war. She travels to an island where he is living and teaching young kids.

This movie is a proper finale where Violet finally learns the meaning of Love. Kyoto Animation’s animations were truly breathtaking, and the environmental storytelling in this movie was like none other. The movie is emotionally heavy, so prepare your tissues if you haven’t watched it yet.

Where to Watch: Netflix

1 There Is No Sports Drama Better Than 100 Meters

100 Meters is a complex movie that combines the themes of sports and growing up. We follow two characters: Togashi, who is naturally talented when it comes to running, and Komiya, who cannot run well but has the willpower to run faster than anyone else. The story tracks them over several years as they push their physical and mental limits to the breaking point.

This movie is ranked at the top because it strips the sports genre to its most raw components. There are no inner monologues, so it is hard to tell what the characters are actually thinking. And that is precisely why it hurts when the emotions of the characters finally come out. Furthermore, 100 Meters had an open ending, where it was hard to tell who actually won, a classic sports genre move that is rare to see these days.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Rank	Anime Movie	Release Date	IMDb Rating (as of May 12, 2026)
10	One Piece Film: Red	August 6, 2022	6.7 / 10
9	Jujutsu Kaisen 0	December 24, 2021	7.8 / 10
8	Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc	September 19, 2025	8.3 / 10
7	The First Slam Dunk	December 3, 2022	8.0 / 10
6	Demon Slayer: The Movie: Infinity Castle	July 18, 2025	8.4 / 10
5	The Boy and The Heron	July 14, 2023	7.3 / 10
4	Look Back	June 28, 2024	7.8 / 10
3	Josee, the Tiger and the Fish	December 25, 2020	7.7 / 10
2	Violet Evergarden Movie	September 18, 2020	8.3 / 10
1	100 Meters	September 19, 2025	7.6 / 10

The 2020s have really set a high standard for anime movies. From the high-budget expansions of existing franchises to stand-alone stories that are hard to forget, we couldn’t ask for better movies. And the decade isn’t even over yet, it is going to be exciting to see what more masterpieces we get in the coming years.

Which movie is your personal favorite in the ranking? Let us know in the comments.