Studio Ghibli may be the face of some of the best anime movies worldwide, but the medium has so much more to offer. Beyond the charming worlds of Miyazaki and Takahata lies a treasure trove of incredible anime movies created by other studios and directors who’ve pushed the boundaries of animation, storytelling, and emotion. From sci-fi thrillers and romance dramas to high-octane action and psychological mysteries, these films showcase the full range of anime’s cinematic power.
Whether you’re a long-time anime fan or someone looking for new movies to explore beyond Ghibli, this list will guide you through the best anime movies that offer just as much heart, artistry, and impact.
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Table of Contents
Top 20 Anime Movies You Should Watch Right Now
20. A Silent Voice (2016)
Directed by: Naoko Yamada
Studio: Kyoto Animation
A powerful and emotionally resonant film that tackles bullying, disability, mental health, and the long journey toward forgiveness. A Silent Voice tells the story of Shoya Ishida, a boy who cruelly bullied a deaf girl named Shoko Nishimiya in elementary school.
Years later, weighed down by guilt and regret, he seeks to make amends. What unfolds is a deeply introspective journey that dives into themes of self-worth, redemption, and connection. With beautifully subtle animation and a haunting score, it captures the fragility of human relationships like few other films.
Also check: Best Romance Anime with Emotional Storyline
19. Belle (2021)
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
Studio: Studio Chizu
Belle reinvents the tale of Beauty and the Beast for the digital age. Suzu, a shy girl grieving the loss of her mother, finds confidence and fame as a singer in a virtual world called “U.” When she encounters a mysterious and monstrous figure within this realm, her dual lives begin to collide in ways that transform her.
The film dazzles with its stunning visuals, vibrant animation, and mesmerizing musical sequences, while its story addresses cyberbullying, trauma, and healing through connection. Belle is both a spectacle and a heartfelt emotional journey.
18. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2020)
Directed by: Kotaro Tamura
Studio: Bones
A moving romantic drama that delicately explores love, disability, and dreams. Tsuneo, a college student with aspirations to study marine biology, crosses paths with Josee, a sharp-tongued young woman who uses a wheelchair and lives a sheltered life. Their unlikely relationship slowly blooms as they challenge and support each other to chase freedom and purpose.
The film’s character development is thoughtful and grounded, with soft yet expressive visuals that complement its emotional core. It’s a sincere portrayal of vulnerability, growth, and the power of companionship.
Also check: Best CG Anime you aren’t watching
17. Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (2021)
Directed by: Kyohei Ishiguro
Studio: Signal.MD, Sublimation
This sweet, summery film brings together a shy haiku-loving boy and a popular girl with braces and social media fame. Set in a quiet town during summer break, their connection grows through shared moments and personal insecurities, all set against a vivid pop-art backdrop.
The film’s story is gentle and slice-of-life, focusing on small but meaningful moments of understanding, courage, and first love. With catchy music and an uplifting tone, it’s a feel-good watch that captures the awkward beauty of youth and communication.
16. The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (2017)
Directed by: Masaaki Yuasa
Studio: Science SARU
A wild, surreal, and magical night unfolds as a college girl embarks on a whimsical journey through Kyoto’s nightlife. As she encounters eccentric characters and fantastical situations, a shy upperclassman follows behind, hoping to confess his feelings.
With Yuasa’s signature chaotic animation and rapid pacing, the film becomes a poetic celebration of spontaneity, coincidence, and youthful freedom. It plays like a fever dream filled with color, absurdity, and a surprising amount of heart.
Also check: Best Action Anime to Watch Right Now
15. Promare (2019)
Directed by: Hiroyuki Imaishi
Studio: Studio Trigger
Promare is a riot of color, fire, and explosive energy. In a world where pyrokinetic mutants known as Burnish threaten society, a fire-fighting force known as Burning Rescue battles the chaos. At the center is Galo Thymos, a hot-headed hero who clashes with a revolutionary Burnish leader.
What starts as a stylish action flick evolves into a deeper story about oppression, rebellion, and identity. With breathtaking visuals, kinetic battles, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack, Promare is pure Trigger magic with emotional impact.
14. Paprika (2006)
Directed by: Satoshi Kon
Studio: Madhouse
Paprika is a mind-bending exploration of dreams and reality. When a device that allows therapists to enter patients’ dreams is stolen, the line between dreams and the waking world begins to collapse. Dr. Atsuko Chiba, under her dream alter ego “Paprika,” must uncover the mystery and stop the chaos.
The film is a visual and narrative marvel, blending psychological depth with kaleidoscopic imagery. Kon’s influence on Western cinema is undeniable, with Paprika directly inspiring films like Inception. It’s a surreal journey through the subconscious that invites deep reflection.
13. Bubble (2022)
Directed by: Tetsuro Araki
Studio: Wit Studio
Bubble crafts a unique take on post-apocalyptic romance and parkour action. Tokyo has become isolated after gravity-defying bubbles fell from the sky, making parts of the city uninhabitable. Amid this ruined playground, Hibiki, a parkour prodigy with hypersensitive hearing, meets a mysterious girl named Uta.
Their bond blossoms as they navigate a world where the laws of physics no longer apply. Coming from the studio and team behind Attack on Titan, the animation is breathtaking, especially during mid-air sequences, and the emotional undercurrents hit surprisingly hard. It’s a modern fairy tale wrapped in kinetic spectacle.
12. The Boy and the Beast (2015)
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
Studio: Studio Chizu
A blend of fantasy adventure and personal drama, The Boy and the Beast follows Ren, a young boy who stumbles into the beast realm after running away from home. He’s taken in by the gruff beast warrior Kumatetsu, and together they grow into a surrogate family.
The film explores themes of belonging, identity, and fatherhood, contrasting the human world with the beast world through bold animation and heartfelt storytelling. Hosoda’s knack for mixing fantasy with grounded emotion is on full display here.
11. Millennium Actress (2001)
Directed by: Satoshi Kon
Studio: Madhouse
A deeply moving story about life, love, and memory, Millennium Actress follows a documentary crew interviewing a retired actress about her past. As she recounts her story, the film seamlessly blends her real memories with scenes from her films, blurring the line between fact and fiction.
What emerges is a profound exploration of how cinema and life intertwine. It’s a heartfelt tribute to Japanese filmmaking, identity, and the pursuit of a dream that spans a lifetime. Kon’s direction ensures every scene is layered with beauty and emotional nuance.
10. Weathering With You (2019)
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
Studio: CoMix Wave Films
Following the success of Your Name, Makoto Shinkai delivered another breathtaking visual masterpiece with Weathering With You. The story follows Hodaka, a runaway teen in Tokyo, who meets Hina, a girl with the mysterious ability to control the weather. As Tokyo drowns under unrelenting rain, the two form a bond that grows into something more powerful and bittersweet.
The film weaves romance, social hardship, and supernatural elements into a poetic narrative that questions the cost of happiness and personal sacrifice. Its visuals are jaw-dropping, and the amazing soundtrack by RADWIMPS elevates the emotional stakes to breathtaking heights.
Also check: Top 50 Best Anime Opening Songs of All Time
9. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
Studio: Madhouse
This modern sci-fi classic follows Makoto, a high school girl who discovers she can leap through time. Initially using her powers for small conveniences, she quickly learns that altering events comes with unintended consequences.
The film is as much about the fleeting nature of youth as it is about time travel, offering poignant lessons about love, loss, and the importance of living in the moment. With soft visuals and a heartwarming narrative, this film resonates long after the credits roll. It captures teenage emotions with uncanny authenticity.
8. In This Corner of the World (2016)
Directed by: Sunao Katabuchi
Studio: MAPPA
A delicate and heartfelt portrayal of civilian life during World War II, this film tells the story of Suzu, a young woman who moves to Hiroshima after marriage. As war creeps into her everyday routine, she finds beauty and purpose in small joys while enduring unthinkable hardship.
With watercolor-style animation and quiet, observational storytelling, the film focuses on the resilience of ordinary people amid chaos. It’s an intimate, deeply human look at how love, creativity, and perseverance can endure even in the darkest times.
7. Violet Evergarden: The Movie (2020)
Directed by: Taichi Ishidate
Studio: Kyoto Animation
The long-awaited conclusion to the beloved series, this film explores the final chapter of Violet’s journey as she continues her work as an Auto Memory Doll, writing letters that give voice to unspoken emotions. Set against the backdrop of a world slowly healing from war, Violet’s search for the Major comes to a touching resolution.
The animation is nothing short of exquisite, and the emotional beats hit with full force. It’s a story about closure, expression, and the legacy of love—told with grace, empathy, and visual poetry.
6. The Anthem of the Heart (2015)
Directed by: Tatsuyuki Nagai
Studio: A-1 Pictures
This emotional coming-of-age story centers on Jun, a girl who believes her words cause harm and has chosen to remain silent. When she’s cast in a school musical, her world begins to open up through music, connection, and vulnerability. The film explores trauma, expression, and the catharsis of performance.
With beautifully expressive animation and a soulful soundtrack, it delivers a strong emotional impact without melodrama. It’s a quiet yet powerful exploration of finding one’s voice again.
5. Redline (2009)
Directed by: Takeshi Koike
Studio: Madhouse
Redline is an adrenaline-fueled visual spectacle, following daredevil racer JP as he competes in the galaxy’s most dangerous race. It took seven years to make, all hand-drawn, and the result is nothing short of a kinetic explosion of color, sound, and speed.
But beyond its flashy style lies a story about passion, rebellion, and defiance against authority. Every frame pulses with energy, and the animation pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the medium. Redline is pure, high-octane anime joy.
4. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
Directed by: Isao Takahata
Studio: Studio Ghibli (included as an exception for artistic style)
While technically a Ghibli film, this entry often flies under the radar and feels distinct in style and tone. Based on the ancient Japanese folktale, it tells the story of Kaguya, a moon princess raised on Earth who struggles with the expectations of nobility and longs for her lost innocence.
The animation resembles traditional ink painting, giving the film a dreamlike, ephemeral beauty. It’s a lyrical and tragic reflection on life’s fleeting nature, filled with spiritual depth and emotional resonance.
3. Your Name (2016)
Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
Studio: CoMix Wave Films
Your Name became a global sensation for a reason. It follows Mitsuha and Taki, two strangers who mysteriously begin to switch bodies across time and space. What begins as a lighthearted comedy becomes a profound tale about memory, connection, and fate.
The visuals are stunning, capturing both rural and urban Japan in breathtaking detail, while the emotional climax is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. With universal themes and deep cultural grounding, Your Name redefined what a mainstream anime movie could be worldwide.
2. Perfect Blue (1997)
Directed by: Satoshi Kon
Studio: Madhouse
A chilling psychological thriller, Perfect Blue follows Mima, a pop idol who quits music to become an actress. As she struggles with her identity and an obsessed fan, the line between fiction and reality begins to dissolve. The film explores fame, exploitation, and mental breakdown with haunting precision.
It’s deeply disturbing yet brilliantly crafted, influencing many films including Black Swan. Satoshi Kon’s direction is razor-sharp, and the film remains a powerful, timeless examination of the cost of celebrity.
1. Akira (1988)
Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo
Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
A cornerstone of anime cinema, Akira is set in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo plagued by political unrest and psychic warfare. When biker gang member Tetsuo gains uncontrollable powers, he threatens to destroy the city and everything in it. Visually groundbreaking and narratively dense, Akira remains one of the most influential films in both anime and global cinema.
Its themes of power, corruption, and rebellion are as relevant today as they were in the 80s. Watching Akira is not just watching a movie, it’s experiencing a landmark in animation history.
The movies mentioned above are a staple of the Japanese animation industry that tell stories spanning multiple genres, animation styles, and themes. To learn more about where you can watch these movies, check out our article on the Best Anime Streaming Sites, Ranked.
Also, check the Rotten Tomatoes list of best anime movies, if you’re interested.
