Best Anime Movies On Netflix Of All Time

One good thing about the pandemic was that many people introduced themselves to the world of anime. And the thing about anime is that once you start liking it — there is no going back. That’s true for anime, but truer for anime movies.

Anime movies are the best of cinema. Since they are shorter than anime series, anime movies generally have a huge box office budget and therefore they offer everything tenfold; from the animation, the sound quality, the sequences, etc. So here are some of the best anime movies on Netflix that will take your breath away.

9 Best Anime Movies On Netflix

Your Name (2016)
A Silent Voice (2016)
Spirited Away (2001)
5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)
Princess Monoke (1997)
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
The Garden of Words (2013)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
In This Corner of the World (2013)

1. Your Name

Your Name is one of the best anime movies on Netflix that you can watch right now. There are not many people who haven’t cried watching this masterpiece.

Directed by Makoto Shinkai, the drama-romantic Netflix anime movie is acclaimed for its animations and stunning scenic visuals, and is the third highest-grossing anime movie worldwide.

The anime movie follows the story of two high school students living in different parts of Japan. One day, the two strangers wake up in each other’s body. Not being able to figure out the cause of it, they adjust to the bizarre occurrence. But there is more to it than just swapping bodies.

Watch Your Name on Netflix

2. A Silent Voice

Another visual masterpiece and emotional voyage on Netflix is A Silent Voice. Directed by Naoko Yamada, the movie talks about teen bullying and presents it in a completely new perspective.

The story starts off with Shouya Ishida, an elementary school kid who bullies a new girl, Shouko Nishimiya, for being deaf. Not long after, the whole class turns against him for being too insensitive. Years later, Ishida and Nishimiya both have unresolved past. However, Ishida wants to make things right with Nishimiya but is it too late?

The anime movie A Silent Voice doesn’t have many dialogues but features soothing background scores. It’s one of my favourite movies and the best anime on Netflix.

Watch A Silent Voice on Netflix

3. Spirited Away

If there is one anime movie on Netflix that literally everyone has heard about — it’s Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away directed by prominent film director Hayao Miyazaki.

The fantasy animated movie on Netflix has won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards. Spirited Away is also the highest grossing anime movie of all time worldwide.

Spirited Away revolves around a young girl named Chihiro, who along with her family gets trapped in the spirit world. It is now up to her to free her family from this bizarre world as well as save herself.

Watch Spirited Away on Netflix

4. 5 Centimeters Per Second

5 Centimeters Per Second is also one of the best anime movies on Netflix. It’s directed by Makoto Niitsu, so you can rest assured about the animation as well as the story.

Although it’s a little sad anime movie, the different walks of life presented in the movie should not be missed. 5 Centimeters Per Second is divided into three parts, or one can say three moments in Takaki Tōno’s life.

In the first one, Takaki meets Akari Shinohara in elementary school; they grow close to each other but are separated. In the second one, Takaki is a senior high student who still thinks of his first love and takes no notice of Kanae Sumida, her classmate who also loves him. In the last part, Takaki lives his adult life as a programmer in Tokyo but is still not able to forget Akari.

Watch 5 Centimeters Per Second on Netflix

5. Princess Monoke

Another Studio Ghibli classic and one of the best anime movies on Netflix is Princess Monoke. The movie was the highest-grossing in Japan until it was overshadowed by Spirited Away. Regardless, the adventure fantasy Netflix anime movie is a treat for those who want to see some action and drama.

The plot revolves around Ashitaka, a prince who goes to the west to break a curse placed on him. Later, he encounters a young woman named San who is trying to save the forest. However, things are not that simple how they look.

Watch Princess Monoke on Netflix

6. Howl’s Moving Castle

If you long for adventure in movies, then Howl’s Moving Castle is the perfect anime movie for you. Howl’s Moving Castle is another piece of art from none other than Hayao Miyazaki.

The story is of a young girl Sophie who is cursed with old age by a witch, after she bumps into a young wizard Howl. Having no other choice, Sophie leaves her town and boards Howl’s four legged moving castle.

The 2004 movie feels ahead of its time and is naturally one of the best anime movies on Netflix right now.

Watch Howl’s Moving Castle on Netflix

7. The Garden of Words

Sometimes, even adults are no more mature than teenagers when it comes to living. The Garden of Words is another beautiful story from Your Name’s director Makoto Niitsu.

It’s shorter than most anime movies — only 46 minutes. Regardless, it will stay with you for a long time thanks to its stunning visuals and amazing background score.

The Garden of Words revolves around two characters — Takao Akizuki, a 15-year-old boy who skips school to work on his passion for designing shoes. Then there is Yukari Yukino, a 27-year-old woman who is lonely and avoids work due to personal problems. Whenever it’s raining, both characters go to the same hideaway and start opening up to each other.

Watch The Garden of Words on Netflix

8. My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro was one of the first anime movies from Hayao Miyazaki that was well received on a global level. The anime movie on Netflix beautifully depicts the relationship of the environment and humanity.

The plot focuses on two sisters who move to the country with their father to stay closer with their hospitalized mother. When the younger sister runs away from home, it is upon the older sister to find her with the help of the spirits called “Totoros” that inhabit the surrounding forest.

Watch My Neighbor Totoro on Netflix

9. The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises is one of the best anime movies on Netflix and Hayao Miyazaki’s final work before his retirement. It was the highest grossing anime film of 2013 globally and was also nominated for best feature film at the Academy Awards.

The Wind Rises is an animated biography of Jiro Horikoshi who designed great fighter planes for the Japan Empire during the World War II.

If you are looking for some inspiration and motivation, then this war drama anime movie on Netflix should be on your watchlist.

Watch The Wind Rises on Netflix

Netflix anime movies

For those who don’t know, Netflix holds an entire catalog of anime movies. Simply go to Netflix > Select Movies > Tap on Genres > Select Anime.

9 Best Anime Movies On Netflix Of All Time