In recent years, anime films have made a major splash in the West, with 2025's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle pulling in 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 found remarkable success from decade to decade, and occasionally, less immediately recognizable releases manage to pull in impressive audiences. As the medium becomes more popular and respected outside of Japan, fans are seeking out some of the best films of years past, and 2016 was a particularly incredible year for anime films.
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Forget TV shows, Crunchyroll has an underappreciated library of anime movies. We are talking all-time great flicks and underrated gems.
Anyone eager to familiarize themselves with some of the most well-regarded and successful anime movies of all time should take the time to watch each film on this list, as each of them remains relevant and beloved a decade later. From romance and historical fiction to comedy and gritty human dramas, there's something here for everyone, and even if one film doesn't sound like your cup of tea, this may be a sign to broaden your horizons in 2026.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
In This Corner of the World
Taking place in 1944, Suzu is a young woman living in a small town near Hiroshima who, at 18, decides to marry a military clerk named Shusaku, whom she had met as a child. Adjusting to her new life is made more difficult by the war, which claims the lives of many she loves and leaves her wounded herself. When the atomic bomb is dropped nearby, she must come to terms with its devastating impact on her hometown, and the painful aftermath that awaits her for years to come.
In This Corner of the World saw incredible success following its release, winning over 60 awards, including Best Film at the 2nd Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Critics applauded its ability to convey the reality of daily life in wartime Japan without overdramatization, and fans continue to applaud its art style, soundtrack, and narrative. Notably, while the film isn't based on one particular true story, the production staff made every effort to properly research and depict many real incidents throughout, including many of the backgrounds in Hiroshima. While it isn't as graphic as Grave of the Fireflies, it still similarly tugs on the heartstrings.
A Silent Voice
Produced by the esteemed studio Kyoto Animation and directed by Naoko Yamada, A Silent Voice tells the story of Shoko Nishimiya, a middle school transfer student who was born deaf. After being bullied by her classmate, Shoya Ishida, she snaps, attacking him and subsequently being transferred to another school. Shoya's reputation is shot following the incident, and as he moves on to high school, he can't shake the image of being a heartless bully, leading him to consider taking his own life. Before this, however, he seeks to make amends with those he's hurt, including Shoko. Slowly, the two grow closer, and Shoya begins to own his mistakes while Shoko contemplates the power of forgiveness.
Punctuated by gorgeous visuals, phenomenal voice acting, and a moving score, A Silent Voice is a journey of self-discovery and prompts viewers to look back at their own lives and the mistakes they've made when dealing with other humans. While it can seem impossible to dig oneself out of a deep hole of self-loathing, it's never too late to try, and both Shoya's monumental growth and Shoko's intrinsic kindness and willingness to leave painful memories behind make this one film that many will never forget.
Doukyusei: Classmates
Doukyusei: Classmates takes place at an all-boys high school and follows Rihito, a brainy and quiet student who finds himself tutored for the choir by his classmate, Hikaru. Completely out of nowhere, Hikaru kisses Rihito, and the two begin dating and growing closer over the course of the year, through thick and thin. Rihito remains obsessed with his grades, dealing with panic attacks when he feels he may fail, and Hikaru continues to pursue music. The boys' love anime film saw critical acclaim for its unique watercolor aesthetic, with its characters also being applauded.
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Boys' love anime series have seen a major surge in popularity over the past decade, leaving behind many of the negative connotations the genre held in years prior. As acceptance of same-sex relationships has become mainstream, more of these stories are being told in fresh and unique ways, and Classmates manages to capture the reality of being a gay youth without leaning into stereotypes or fetishizing the two leads. Those looking for pure romance shouldn't let this film pass them by, and for more of Rihito and Hikaru, the manga series by Asumiko Nakamura is certainly worth a read.
One Piece Film: Gold
The thirteenth One Piece film follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they arrive at Gran Tesoro, a ship containing the equivalent of the Las Vegas strip. The entertainment city is ruled by Gild Tesoro, and while Luffy and his friends are given the VIP treatment during their stay, not everything is as it seems. Tempers flare as the crew begins to lose their money at staggering speed, with fights breaking out and debts needing quick repayment. Rather fittingly, One Piece Film: Gold made its world premiere at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, surrounded by wealth beyond many people's wildest dreams.
Fans of One Piece have likely already dived into this wacky adventure, but even those who haven't binged the 1,000+ episodes of the anime series may find something to like. Packed with fan service and some impressive (and costly) animation, it's worth a watch, even if it's not the most beloved film in the series. There may be more to come soon, as original manga creator Eiichiro Oda has confirmed that a new One Piece movie is currently in the works.
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions
While many fans believe that the Yu-Gi-Oh series had a perfect ending, it must not have been enough for original creator Kazuki Takahashi, with The Dark Side of Dimensions taking place six months after the events of the original manga. Seto Kaiba isn't quite done with Atem, seeking out the Millennium Puzzle to summon the Egyptian Pharaoh for one last duel. He's met with pushback from a strange man named Diva, and, after several bizarre adventures involving dimensional travel and sacrifice, the duel commences, but not in the way Kaiba initially hoped.
While critics applauded the film's narrative and characters, some felt that it wasn't necessary after the anime's conclusion. In the decade since the film's release, however, its impressive visuals and complex storytelling have slowly won over its earlier detractors. Fans of the series shouldn't skip over The Dark Side of Dimensions, particularly those who love Kaiba and want to see more of the Duel Monsters-obsessed billionaire.
Your Name.
It was impossible to escape the pull of Your Name in 2016, with Makoto Shinkai's romantic fantasy film finding global acclaim for its visuals, music, and poignant storytelling. The film follows Mitsuha, a high school girl in rural Japan who dreams of being reborn as a boy in Tokyo. That wish comes true, with Mitsuha occasionally waking up to find that she has switched bodies with Taki, a boy in Tokyo's Shinjuku neighborhood. The two find ways to share their bodies, laying out ground rules and figuring out how to navigate their strange new lives. After the body-switching suddenly halts, the pair yearn to find each other, but that's easier said than done.
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Your Name is certainly a tear-jerker at times, and very nearly a slapstick comedy at others, with its pacing and emotional weight catapulting it to legendary status in the world of anime films. Shinkai's subsequent films, Weathering with You and Suzume, were also mega-hits, though Your Name is still lauded by many viewers as the best of the three. According to the director, a new film is in the works, though what it could be is anyone's guess.