The 10 Greatest Anime Movies of the 21st Century, Ranked

We’re already a quarter into the 21st century, and over these past 25 years, anime movies have seriously levelled up their game with one classic after another. From the niche old to modern masterpieces, the medium has been on an upward trajectory. That’s why it’s really hard to pick only a few of the best.

Still, after careful consideration, we’ve ranked the 10 best anime movies released in the last 25 years. Some you’ve probably heard of, while others might surprise you. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

10 Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020) Combines Emotion and Animation

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train legit initiated the theatre craze among anime fans. The first season of the anime swept many awards upon release, and therefore, fans had eagerly been waiting for its continuation. And, as it turned out, the wait was worth it.

Studio Ufotable released the sequel as a movie, which aided in its success. That said, the movie itself is an emotional rollercoaster with animation that will blow your mind. It built upon the anime’s original foundation and delivered a complete package. So, it definitely deserves a spot on the list.

9 Wolf Children (2012) Is a Must-Watch With Your Family

If you’re familiar with the anime film industry, then you must have heard of Mamoru Hosoda. The man has created many masterpieces throughout his career, but what we think shines the brightest and feels most relevant to modern times is Wolf Children.

The story essentially narrates the tale of a loving mother who finds herself raising two wolf children. Society, however, cannot accept them as they are, so the mother goes through countless struggles to give them a good future. It’s the kind of movie you’d love to watch with your parents and appreciate together.

8 Millennium Actress (2002) Explores Themes of Self-Discovery

The anime film industry wouldn’t have become as popular as it is now if it hadn’t been for Satoshi Kon. The man legitimately reinvented storytelling and greatly inspired the Western and other forms of media. And one of Kon’s classics is Millennium Actress.

The entire movie itself feels like a tribute to cinema. After all, the narrative revolves around a former actress and how she deals with a certain trauma that has carried over into her real life. The visual storytelling of the movie is also unique. And for its final payoff and rewatchability, the movie ranks 8th on our list.

7 Spirited Away (2001) Hides Deep Themes Behind Brilliant Symbolism

Anime movies are usually overlooked by the Oscars, but the one director who first made this recognition possible was Hayao Miyazaki with his magnum opus, Spirited Away. And for good reason, the movie offers everything an Oscar-worthy film should have.

The movie excels in almost every aspect of filmmaking. The storytelling feels otherworldly, and the symbolism perfectly syncs with the core themes of the narrative. Also, the world it presents might just be better than any Isekai anime world, period. Therefore, it easily secures the seventh place.

6 Maquia (2018) Grips You In With Its Poignant Storytelling

Although Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is set in a fantasy world, the emotional weight it carries through its narrative will move you to the core. Written by Mari Okada, the movie masterfully explores themes of motherhood.

Similar to elves, Maquia tells its story from the perspective of a race called the Iorph, who live longer than humans can even imagine. Once Maquia, an Iorph girl, takes in an infant child, her life changes in the most tragic yet beautiful way. The bond the two share and the way their story ends deserve enough praise.

5 Look Back (2024) Is a Beautiful Reminder of Why Art Matters

Although Look Back focuses on the story of two aspiring manga artists, the narrative and the emotions they go through in their journey together can be painfully relatable. This movie is yet another masterpiece by Tatsuki Fujimoto, who is known for Chainsaw Man.

The visuals in the film are truly phenomenal, combined with powerful soundtracks and hard-hitting dialogue. While the movie is only about an hour long, the story it presents within that short duration will stick with you for the rest of your life. Therefore, it easily deserves the fifth place here.

4 Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc (2025) Nails the Sequel Adaptation

Two Fujimoto works back-to-back! Recently, you can see a trend in anime where sequel storylines are adapted in movie format. This allows fans to watch their favourite characters on the big screen. But among them all, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc did it the best.

The arc it covered perfectly fit a regular-length film, and the way it was executed was more than enough to make it feel worthy of an Oscar nomination. That said, the Reze Arc delivers a plot-heavy sequel that can surprisingly be enjoyed even without watching anything prior. Thus, it is considered one of the best.

3 Your Name (2016) Delivers the Perfect Cinema Experience

Released in 2016, Makoto Shinkai‘s first global hit, Your Name, is still to this day the perfect gateway anime movie for a new fan. While it essentially tells a love story, the presentation is unlike any other anime film you can find on this list. It’s breathtaking.

The way the plot intertwines themes of affection and natural disaster with a sense of time travel and Japanese mythology is simply out of this world. This was also one of the very first standalone anime movies to achieve massive success overseas. Therefore, Your Name rightfully deserves a rightful top 3 spot on the list.

2 100 Meters (2025) Presents Sports Philosophy Like No Other

Sports is a genre that can come up with some of the hardest-hitting human philosophies that will make you think twice, regardless of whether you love the sport or not. But among others, 100 Meters by far surpasses them, written by Uoto, the creator of Orb.

As the title suggests, the movie is primarily about the 100-meter sprint race. But the story provides us with characters who are far from ideal figure runners. Questions like “Why do people run?” and “Why do we do what we do anyway?” are deeply explored throughout the narrative. Filled with thoughtful portrayals of such ideas, 100 Meters easily claims the second spot in the list.

1 A Silent Voice (2016) Perfected the Coming-of-Age Formula

Teenagers are prone to self-harm if something even slightly unfortunate happens to them, and suicide often becomes their primary gateway to escape harsh reality. But how one should bounce back from that mindset is masterfully portrayed in A Silent Voice.

The creator, Yoshitoki Ōima, poured her soul into writing each character and their internal dynamics. Themes of self-acceptance and learning how to become a better person are some of the core narrative takeaways from the movie. Therefore, A Silent Voice is arguably the best film of this century so far.

A quick look at some of the key details of the best anime from the 21st century:

TITLE	RELEASE DATE	MAL SCORE (as of May 12, 2026)	WHERE TO WATCH
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train	October 16, 2020	8.54/10	Crunchyroll
Wolf Children	July 21, 2012	8.56/10	HBO Max
Millennium Actress	September 14, 2002	8.25/10	HBO Max
Spirited Away	July 20, 2001	8.77/10	Netflix
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms	February 24, 2018	8.40/10	Netflix, Prime Video
Look Back	June 28, 2024	8.62/10	Prime Video
Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc	September 19, 2025	9.08/10	Crunchyroll
Your Name	August 26, 2016	8.82/10	Crunchyroll
100 Meters	September 19, 2025	8.35/10	Netflix
A Silent Voice	September 17, 2016	8.93/10	Netflix

Well then. Have you decided which 21st-century anime movie you would like to watch next? Or if you’ve already completed each and have your own recommendations, then let us know in the comments.