Over the last two decades, anime has firmly established itself on a global scale. Gone are the days when Japanese animated movies or series were limited to obscure VHS releases and short TV blocks; nowadays, the most popular anime films tend to get theatrical releases out of Japan, and fans from all across the world can follow the seasonal shows.
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This shift towards mainstream acceptance has, naturally, resulted in improved box office performance, but which anime movie is the highest-grossing of all time? Is it a Studio Ghibli pick? Something directed by Makoto Shinkai? Or is it a continuation of a beloved anime series? Perhaps most importantly, do any (legal) streaming services have these films?
Disclaimer: As the data can vary depending on the source, Box Office Mojo's Worldwide earnings will be used. With regards to the availability of these films, the focus will be on U.S. streaming services.
10 The Secret World of Arrietty ($149 million+)
Studio Ghibli is the most renowned anime studio in the world, at least when it comes to movies. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, The Secret World of Arrietty presents an enchanting world hidden within everyday reality, as small Borrower people live inside humanity's walls.
Moving at a measured pace, The Secret World of Arrietty delivers plenty of atmosphere, charm, and drama. The characters are generally likable and grounded, particularly the Borrower Arrietty and the human Shō.
The Secret World of Arrietty can be streamed on HBO Max.
9 Pokemon: The First Movie ($163 million+)
Along with Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon, Pokemon introduced many '90s children to anime. While films like Akira and Ghost in the Shell gained a following outside of Japan, Pokemon: The First Movie was arguably the first anime flick to truly feel like a big deal in the West.
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Obviously, Mewtwo Strikes Back is far from perfect. The film suffered from pacing issues and the fact it couldn't impact the overall Pokemon universe in any significant way, but these things ultimately didn't matter. Pokemon: The First Movie was an event.
Pokemon: The First Movie can be streamed on Hoopla.
8 Princess Mononoke ($169 million+)
The oldest film to make the cut, Princess Mononoke might just be Hayao Miyazaki's magnum opus, which means it's also one of the best movies of all time. Like many of Miyazaki's works, Princess Mononoke tackles environmental themes through a fantasy-laced narrative. While still overflowing with imagination, this 1997 epic is not quite as whimsical as some of the director's other projects, and that is by no means a criticism.
Princess Mononoke's greatest strength is in its unpreachy representation of both sides of the coin, be it nature or humanity. The story is mature, engrossing, and timeless.
Princess Mononoke can be streamed on HBO Max.
7 Stand by Me Doraemon ($183 million+)
Debuting in 1969 as a manga, Doraemon is an institution. The franchise has produced more than 40 movies, and Stand by Me Doraemon presents a convincing case for being the best of the bunch. The plot sees Doraemon, a robot cat, traveling to the past to lead Nobita, a clumsy kid, away from a catastrophic future. It's a coming of age story with a twist.
By tweaking a few key stories from the series' history, the 2014 film covers Doraemon's entire time with Nobita, including their emotional goodbye.
Stand by Me Doraemon is not available on a U.S. streaming service.
6 Weathering With You ($193 million+)
In the last decade, Makoto Shinkai has emerged as perhaps anime's leading visionary director, especially since most of his projects tend to feature common themes. In many ways, Weathering With You is the definitive Shinkai film, as it amplifies nearly everything that has become synonymous with the director.
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Weathering With You might not hold too many surprises for those familiar with Shinkai's previous creations, but it's still a beautiful work of art. The music is brilliant, the animation stunning, and the characters enjoyable.
Weathering With You can be streamed on HBO Max.
5 Ponyo ($204 million+)
Another one of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki's projects, Ponyo tells the charming story of a young boy and the goldfish that changes his life. While Miyazaki's films are typically suitable for the entire family, Ponyo seems to primarily focus on entertaining children, particularly in the story department.
Although not as complex as Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away, Ponyo seeps magic out of every frame. The movie does not have a dull moment in it, and the animation might just be Studio Ghibli's best. Naturally, that is saying a lot.
Ponyo can be streamed on HBO Max.
4 Howl's Moving Castle ($236 million+)
For the follow-up to Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki redirected his attention towards war, a decision stemming from the social climate of the early 2000s. Howl's Moving Castle echoes Miyazaki's anger with its anti-war rhetoric, although that's not the only idea the movie explores. Ultimately, this is a film about life, nature, and love.
Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie, a young woman who's forcibly aged by about 60 years by a witch. In order to reverse the curse, Sophie sets out to find Howl, an enigmatic wizard.
Howl's Moving Castle can be streamed on HBO Max.
3 Spirited Away ($355 million+)
Even in a filmography filled with masterpieces, 2001's Spirited Away stands out as something special. Hayao Miyazaki's 2001 film follows a young girl who finds herself in a bathhouse filled with all sorts of spirits, including some that are downright terrifying.
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Chihiro's journey through this fantastical world demonstrates animation's unparalleled ability to actualize childlike wonder and unrestricted imagination. Spirited Away is the only anime film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and it's earned.
Spirited Away can be streamed on HBO Max.
2 Your Name ($357 million+)
Makoto Shinkai's Your Name proved an anime film doesn't need to be by Studio Ghibli or based on a well-established property to be a global hit. Sometimes, the movie can simply be incredible. A body-swap comedy that eventually transforms into something far bigger, Your Name revolves around Taki and Mitsuha, two teenagers from very different walks of life who meet through supernatural circumstances.
Your Name is a crowd-pleaser, a movie that offers humor, great plot twists, and effective character drama.
Your Name is not available on a U.S. streaming service. However, the movie can be rented on some platforms, including Amazon Prime and YouTube.
1 Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train ($410 million+)
Debuting in 2020 in Japan before going global in 2021, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train has been an unprecedented hit. A continuation of the popular anime series, Mugen Train adapts a canon arc from the manga, something that most films of this type tend to avoid.
As the film is not designed to be a standalone experience, pre-existing knowledge of the series is necessary to fully enjoy Mugen Train. However, newcomers who are familiar with shōnen anime should still be able to get something out of the movie. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train debuted in U.S. theatres on April 23, 2021.
Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train is not available on a streaming service.