In recent years, anime films have seen great success in the West with 2025 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle grossed over $134 million in the US, becoming the highest-grossing international film of all time in North America. Plenty of Studio Ghibli films have also enjoyed remarkable success from decade to decade, and occasionally, less immediately recognizable releases manage to attract impressive audiences. As the medium becomes more popular and respected outside of Japan, fans seek out some of the best films of years past and 2016 was a particularly incredible year for anime movies.
The best anime movies on Crunchyroll
Forget TV shows, Crunchyroll has an underrated library of anime movies. We're talking all-time great movies and underrated gems.
Anyone eager to familiarize themselves with some of the most acclaimed and successful anime films of all time should take the time to watch each film on this list, as each one remains relevant and popular ten years later. From romance and historical fiction to comedies and gritty human dramas, there's something for everyone, and even if one film doesn't sound like your cup of tea, it could be a sign to broaden your horizons in 2026.
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In this corner of the world
Set in 1944, Suzu is a young woman living in a small town near Hiroshima who, at 18, decides to marry a military official named Shusaku, whom she met as a child. Adjusting to a new life is made difficult by a war that has claimed the lives of many she loves and wounded her herself. When an atomic bomb is dropped nearby, she must come to terms with its devastating impact on her hometown and the painful consequences that await her for years to come.
In this corner of the world It was an incredible success after its release, winning over 60 awards, including Best Film at the 2nd Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Critics applauded its ability to convey the reality of everyday life in wartime Japan without over-dramatization, and fans continue to applaud its art style, soundtrack, and narrative. Notably, although the film is not based on one particular true story, the production crew made every effort to properly research and describe many real-life incidents, including many of the backgrounds in Hiroshima. Although it is not as graphic as grave of fireflies, still tugs at the heartstrings.
A quiet voice
Produced by the respected studio Kyoto Animation and directed by Naoko Yamada, A quiet voice tells the story of Shoko Nishimiya, a high school transfer student who was born deaf. After being bullied by her classmate Shoya Ishida, she snaps, attacks him, and is subsequently transferred to another school. Shoyo's reputation is shot after the incident, and as he transitions to high school, he can't shake the image of a heartless bully, leading him to consider taking his own life. But before that, he tries to make amends to those he has hurt, including Shoko. Slowly the two grow closer and Shoya begins to own her mistakes while Shoko ponders the power of forgiveness.
Punctuated by gorgeous visuals, phenomenal voice acting and a moving score, A quiet voice is a journey of self-discovery and encourages viewers to look back on their own lives and the mistakes they've made in dealing with other people. While it may seem impossible to dig yourself out of a deep hole of self-loathing, it's never too late to try, and both Shoya's monumental growth and Shoka's inner kindness and willingness to leave painful memories behind make this a film that many will never forget.
Doukyusei: Classmates
Doukyusei: Classmates Set in an all-boys high school, it follows Rihito, a smart and quiet student who finds himself being tutored for choir by his classmate Hikaru. Out of the blue, Hikaru kisses Rihito and the two start dating and growing closer over the course of a year. Rihito remains obsessed with his grades, dealing with panic attacks when he feels like he might fail, and Hikaru continues to pursue music. The boy romance anime film received critical acclaim for its unique watercolor aesthetic, with its characters applauded as well.
The best romantic anime on Netflix
Blue Box, Fragrant Flower, and Your Lie in April are just some of the best romance anime streaming on Netflix.
Boy romance anime series have seen a big surge in popularity over the past decade, leaving behind many of the negative connotations the genre held in previous years. As acceptance of same-sex relationships has become mainstream, more of these stories are being told in fresh and unique ways Classmates manages to capture the reality of gay youth without relying on stereotypes or fettling the two leads. Those looking for pure romance should not miss this movie, and for more Rihito and Hikaru, the manga series by Asumiko Nakamura is definitely worth reading.
One Piece Movie: Gold
The thirteenth One piece The film follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they arrive on the Gran Tesoro, a ship containing the equivalent of the Las Vegas strip. The amusement town is ruled by the Tesoro Guild, and while Luffy and his friends receive VIP treatment during their stay, all is not as it seems. Tempers flare as the crew starts losing their money at breakneck speed, fights break out and debts demand quick repayment. Rather appropriately, One Piece Movie: Gold had its world premiere at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, surrounded by opulence that many people never dreamed of.
Fans One piece You've probably already dived into this wacky adventure, but even those who haven't devoured the anime series' more than 1,000 episodes can still find something to enjoy. Loaded with fan service and impressive (and expensive) animation, it's worth a watch, even if it's not the most popular film in the series. There may be more coming soon, as original manga creator Eiichiro Oda has confirmed that a new one One piece the film is currently being worked on.
Yu-Gi-Oh! The dark side of dimensions
While many fans believe that Yu-Gi-Oh the series had a perfect ending, it may not have been enough for original creator Kazuki Takahashi The dark side of dimensions taking place six months after the events of the original manga. Seto Kaiba isn't done with Atem yet, he's looking for the Millennium Puzzle to summon the Egyptian pharaoh for a final duel. He is met with opposition from a strange man named Diva, and after some bizarre adventures involving dimensional travel and sacrifice, a duel begins, but not in the way Kaiba originally hoped.
While critics applauded the film's narrative and characters, some felt it was unnecessary after the anime ended. However, in the ten years since the film's release, its impressive visuals and complex narrative have slowly won over its former detractors. Fans of the series should not skip The dark side of dimensionsespecially those who love Kaiba and want to see more of the Duel Monsters obsessed billionaire.
Your name.
There was no escaping the attraction Your name in 2016, when Makoto Shinkai's romantic fantasy film received worldwide acclaim for its visuals, music and moving narrative. The film follows Mitsuha, a high school girl in rural Japan who dreams of being reborn as a boy in Tokyo. This wish comes true when Mitsuha occasionally wakes up to find that she has switched bodies with Taki, a boy from Tokyo's Shinjuku district. The two find ways to share their bodies, establish ground rules, and figure out how to navigate their strange new lives. After the body switching comes to an abrupt halt, the couple longs to find each other, but that's easier said than done.
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Your name is certainly a tearjerker at times and an almost grotesque comedy at others whose pace and emotional weight catapults it to legendary status in the world of anime films. Shinkai's subsequent films, Weathering with you and Suzumehowever, there were also mega hits Your name is still hailed by many viewers as the best of the three. According to the director, a new film is in the works, but what it could be is anyone's guess.
