Anime's sphere of influence has become well-globalized over the years, especially recently – the prevalence of online streaming services has certainly played a massive role in its seemingly unstoppable surge in popularity. Netflix has commissioned various anime projects in both serialized and movie form and has also obtained the rights to several other features.

Compared to series, anime movies can be harder to come by, particularly if they are not produced by a company like Studio Ghibli. Netflix's selection of anime features provides an accessible entry point for those who have yet to dip their toes in Japanese animation, along with making it simpler for fans to track down new and older movies. What are the best anime movies on Netflix?

Each anime's Japanese title includes a link to the movie's U.S. Netflix page.

Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King

MyAnimeList: 8.05

Considering it initially attracted mockery for its voice acting and pacing, Black Clover really managed to turn things around. By the time the first (very long) season ended, an argument could be made that Pierrot had the best airing battle shonen, a statement that would have been laughed off the internet just a few years prior. Nowadays, Black Clover stands confidently alongside the likes of One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer as a beacon of its demographic/genre. Something else these shonen franchises have in common is that they have all produced great movies.

Like many of these types of releases, Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King is not considered canon, but the film nevertheless puts in the effort to firmly ground itself within the manga's timeline. A former Wizard King, Conrad Leto, returns from imprisonment to bring ruin to the Clover Kingdom, and he is accompanied by a couple of other former rulers. Despite their very evil intentions, the villains are refreshingly nuanced since they are driven by anger at their failed attempts to bring positive change to this world.

Drifting Home

MyAnimeList: 7.31

A recent addition to Netflix's anime movie catalog, Drifting Home has a fascinating premise about a group of children who, after entering a strange apartment building, find themselves drifting on an expansive ocean removed from space and time. This concept is inherently exciting and allows plenty of room for intense action sequences and mystery; in execution, Drifting Home blends a lighthearted tone with heavy themes that deal with grief and forgiveness. This mix makes for an oddly structured film that slightly dulls the stakes of its premise.

With projects like Penguin Highway and Burn the Witch under its belt, Studio Colorido can be relied upon to deliver gorgeous animation that ranks among the best in the business. Story-wise, the company's output tends to be polarizing, and Drifting Home is unlikely to change that perception. At two hours, the movie overstays its welcome, but there are more than enough high points to make this a trip worth taking.

A Whisker Away

MyAnimeList: 7.34

Miyo Sasaki is an awkward teen with a complicated home life and a crush that she probably makes a bit too obvious. One day, Miyo meets a cat spirit who offers her a mask that will allow her to transform into a cat, an ability she uses to get close to her love interest.

Even with its supernatural twist, A Whisker Away's narrative plays out like a straightforward love story about two teenagers who struggle to communicate effectively. Although not completely lacking in depth or insight, the movie is firmly driven by emotion rather than logic or analysis; as such, it is best to go in expecting a slightly unusual and charming rom-com. Where the movie really shines is in its animation, as Studio Colorido put together an absolutely gorgeous production.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway

MyAnimeList: 7.82

The Gundam series can be difficult to jump into for the uninitiated since there are just so many series and movies to watch. Netflix covers a decent amount of content, including some classics such as Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack. Hathaway's Flash is the franchise's most recent animated venture, and it is only the first entry in what will be a trilogy.

The animation is wonderful, and the plot has an interesting premise as it focuses on a group of terrorists led by Mafty. The film does require prior knowledge of the series to appreciate, particularly Hathaway's backstory, but longtime fans of the mecha franchise should find a lot to enjoy here.

Stand By Me Doraemon Movies

MyAnimeList: 8.10

Doraemon is an institution, so anyone unfamiliar with the franchise might be hesitant to jump into two modern movies. The Stand By Me Doraemon films adapt some of the series' stand-out short stories, and they are quite welcoming to newcomers. Both movies are coming-of-age stories, ones that deal with themes of family and anxiety.

Heartwarming, charming, and profound, these films serve as a testament to Doraemon's longevity. They are so good, these movies might just inspire someone to track down the anime series (the 2005 one is pretty great) or one of the other 40+ movies. There are hundreds of reasons that explain Doraemon's longevity, and Stand By Me highlights quite a few of them.

Kuroko's Basketball The Movie: Last Game

MyAnimeList: 8.08

The final hurrah for the Kuroko's Basketball anime, Last Game finds the Generation of Miracles reuniting to take on a U.S. team that looks down on Japanese players. Unsurprisingly, this film does not hold much value for those not familiar with the series; however, for fans of Kuroko's Basketball, Last Game presents a rare opportunity to see the Miracles united as a singular force.

Solid animation, a thrilling final match, and a healthy helping of comedy, Kuroko's Basketball The Movie: Last Game distills everything that was great about the sports anime into a digestible 90-minute sit. If nothing else, this sequel lets fans spend a bit more time with these iconic characters. There is no downside to that.

Violet Evergarden: Eternity And The Auto Memory Doll

MyAnimeList: 8.41

Violet Evergarden helped establish Netflix as a legitimate anime streaming service, one that might not offer the quantity of Crunchyroll but can match its competitor in quality. Violet Evergarden: Eternity And The Auto Memory Doll tells the emotional tale of two sisters separated by space who are connected through Violet's postal service.

The animation is unsurprisingly gorgeous, and the story's warmth makes for a cozy watch. The film tackles the subject of family, and how it goes deeper than just blood.

Violet Evergarden: The Movie

MyAnimeList: 8.88

Serving as an endpoint for the series, Violet Evergarden: The Movie is the perfect encapsulation of the anime's strengths. The sequel contains three stories that are set in the past, present, and future; while they aren't tied together all that tightly, the narratives act as a satisfying study of Violet's development throughout the story.

Violet Evergarden: The Movie is a tearjerker that earns every emotional outburst. Along with a plot that hits hard and provides closure to both the protagonist and the audience, the film's animation and music are also top-notch.

Tiger & Bunny: The Rising

MyAnimeList: 7.70

Tiger & Bunny is now available on Netflix, with season 2 of the anime debuting earlier this year. The entire franchise can now be streamed on the platform, and that includes 2014's The Rising. A sequel to season 1, this movie introduces a new superhero, Ryan Goldsmith, as Barnaby Brooks' partner, replacing the aging Kotetsu T. Kaburagi. Although powerful, Ryan quickly proves to be anything but heroic.

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The Rising largely captures the magic of the series, even if the movie does feel somewhat like filler since it reverts things back to normal by the end of its runtime. Barnaby and Kotetsu get a lot of attention, but the film does not neglect the rest of the cast either; in fact, The Rising is at its best when it focuses on Nathan Seymour, a character who faces discrimination daily.

One Piece Film Strong World

MyAnimeList: 8.07

Netflix has a couple of One Piece movies in its library, including 2012's enjoyable Film: Z. While an argument can certainly be made for that release representing the franchise at its cinematic best, Strong World is also a contender for that throne. Written by Eiichiro Oda, this film finds the Straw Hats going up against Golden Lion Shiki, a powerful pirate who takes a personal interest in Nami.

One Piece's movies are limited by their inability to introduce or change anything about the characters' status quo. However, these adventures provide opportunities for fans to see the Straw Hats as a unit, something that has become quite rare in the last decade. More than anything, Strong World is just a fun shonen anime movie, one that comes with a memorable villain, awesome fight scenes, and even a few laughs.

Mobile Suit Gundam Compilation Trilogy

MyAnimeList: 7.24 (Movie 1)

1979's Mobile Suit Gundam is not only a classic but one of the most influential mecha anime of all time. The series should be required viewing for fans of the franchise's subsequent releases or the genre in general; however, the show's age can translate to a difficult watch. While the storytelling and world-building hold up beautifully, the anime's animation and pacing leave a lot to be desired.

Sunrise's Mobile Suit Gundam movie compilation trilogy condenses the 43-episode series into roughly six hours, and it is the best way to experience this groundbreaking anime. As is always the case with these sorts of releases, the trilogy speeds through the plot at a blistering pace, even cutting some crucial moments out entirely. That said, the movies also underline Gundam's themes and ideologies, all the while presenting a more consistent tone than the show. Both versions of this story have their positives, and the trilogy ranks among Netflix's best anime movies.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End Of Evangelion

MyAnimeList: 8.55

This is the '90s anime about big giant robots that's not really about big giant robots. Neon Genesis Evangelion was part of a brave new genre called anti-mecha, which took the concept of "deus ex machina" and flipped it on its head.

Neon Genesis Evangelion ended its run on two episodes that were made on a shoestring budget, resulting in one of the most infamous finales in anime history. In response, The End of Evangelion was created as a new conclusion, and the movie is a trip unlike any other. Similar to the show, the film tackles heavy themes and contains plenty of uncomfortable scenes, be it due to extremely graphic violence or psychological turmoil. EoE is not an easy sit.

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop

MyAnimeList: 7.40

Going by slightly unnoticed, Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop is a charming rom-com that takes the genre's conventions and gives them a pop-art aesthetic. Visually, Signal.MD and Sublimation's anime is gorgeous, and the movie's vibrant and stylish art sets it apart from other post-Your Name releases.

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop is not just a feast for the eyes, as the film tells a simple but charming story about the blossoming relationship between two socially awkward and insecure characters, Cherry and Smile. The anime also has a fantastic soundtrack, one that is integral to the story's presentation.

The Summit Of The Gods

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

The Summit of the Gods is a special case since it is a French production; however, the movie deserves a mention as it is based on a manga by Jiro Taniguchi. A realistic tale about an obsessive man seeking to scale Mount Everest, the story has a unique twist as it follows a photographer looking to chronicle the life and eventual ascent of the previously mentioned climber.

The Summit of the Gods is brilliantly animated, powerful, and grounded. While not an anime, fans of the medium with a Netflix subscription should make sure to check out this film.

Pokemon The Movie: Secrets Of The Jungle

MyAnimeList: 7.28

Netflix has a couple of Pokemon movies: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution, The Arceus Chronicles, and Secrets of the Jungle. Of these three, the latter is the most complete and recommendable experience, although the former remake might tickle a long-time fan's nostalgia if they have fond memories of the franchise's original movie. Ash's time as Pokemon's anime protagonist has finally concluded, sparking an exciting new era for the 20-year+ license. If Secrets of the Jungle proves to be Ash's last cinematic adventure, then it serves as a solid endpoint for the iconic character; more importantly, it highlights that a future without Ketchum is more than viable.

Even though Ash and Pikachu play fairly significant roles in the story, this movie is not really about them. Koko lives in a forest devoted solely to Pokemon, and he was raised by Zarude to believe that he is one of them. Naturally, this changes when the boy meets Ash, which makes him question whether he is a human or a Pocket Monster. Koko is a fantastic and likable protagonist who has an interesting backstory, a big personality, and a fascinating dilemma. The rest of the movie is generally fine, although it stumbles a bit in the final act due to a rather weak antagonist. Secrets of the Jungle also has great animation for Pokemon​​​​​​.

Gantz:O

MyAnimeList: 7.41

Gantz:0 is primarily a showcase of CGI's potential, and the 2016 movie presents a convincing case for the technology's viability as an alternative to traditional animation. Hiroya Oku's Gantz manga is a sci-fi classic that also incorporates elements of horror, and the comic has inspired a couple of adaptations. Gonzo's 2004 anime is a mixed bag but does an OK job of adapting the manga's first few stages.

2016's Gantz:0 does its own thing, telling a self-contained story set within the same universe and featuring a few characters from the manga. As prior knowledge of this franchise is not required to appreciate the film's story, Gantz:0 is one of the more accessible entry points into this world, especially since it does not spoil the manga in any significant way.

Gantz:0 follows Masaru Kato, who dies and winds up in a special room alongside a few other people. Forming the Osaka team, these strangers are sent on missions to eliminate aliens, which are grotesque and extremely violent. If he survives, Kato will get a single wish.

Special Mention: Astro Boy

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 51%

Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy is a huge name in Japan. The sci-fi manga ran during the 1950s and early '60s, and its shadow can still be seen in this day and age. Tezuka created plenty of masterpieces, and while personal preference dictates someone's favorite story, Astro Boy is the mangaka's most influential project. Unsurprisingly, the source material has been adapted into a wide variety of anime, all of which have their positives. The 1963 version might be the most iconic, although it can be difficult to revisit in this day and age. The 1980 iteration is probably the best overall Astro Boy anime, although the 2003 series has its strengths too.

Finally, there is the 2009 CGI movie created in a joint effort between Hong Kong and America, with the former's Imagi Animation Studios handling the development of a largely US-driven production. As with most foreign adaptations of Japanese properties, Astro Boy was always going to be polarizing, and its use of CGI certainly did not help matters. Nevertheless, the film is a fine and respectable interpretation of Tezuka's seminal manga. The core fundamentals of the latter's story are present, even if they are simplified to craft an experience suitable for all ages. Although an acquired taste, the animation was more than decent for its era, and it is still acceptable. Ultimately, Astro Boy serves as an OK gateway into this universe.

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