10 ʙᴇsᴛ ᴀɴɪᴍᴇ ᴍᴏᴠɪᴇs ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ 2020s (sᴏ ꜰᴀʀ)

10 ʙᴇsᴛ ᴀɴɪᴍᴇ ᴍᴏᴠɪᴇs ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ 2020s (sᴏ ꜰᴀʀ)

If there’s one thing the 2020s have proven, it’s that anime movies are no longer just side projects or bonus content for fans. They’re full-blown cinematic events. Films like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, Suzume, and The Boy and the Heron didn’t just perform well, they dominated conversations, broke box office records, and reminded the world that anime belongs on the biggest screens available.

Over the past few years, anime films have evolved in scale, ambition, and emotional depth. They’re bigger, bolder, and more confident in telling stories that matter. This rise didn’t happen by accident. Anime has exploded in mainstream popularity, especially among younger audiences, and studios have leaned into that momentum. Animation technology has improved dramatically, blending traditional 2D with polished CGI in ways that feel intentional rather than distracting. On top of that, more films are now directly tied to their series’ main canon, meaning what happens in theaters actually counts.

Long story short: if you’re an anime fan, you’re eating good this decade. And these movies prove it.

Here are the 10 best anime movies of the 2020s so far.

10) Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Let’s be honest: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was never going to reinvent the wheel. And that’s okay. What it does instead is focus on something longtime fans have been asking for ages: letting characters other than Goku and Vegeta take center stage.

Released in 2022, the film shifts the spotlight to Gohan and Piccolo, and that alone earns it points. The animation style, leaning heavily into 3D CG, was controversial at first, but it ultimately works better than many expected. The action is fast, colorful, and very much Dragon Ball at its core.

Where the movie falls short is originality. The plot is solid but familiar, and nothing about it fundamentally changes the franchise. It’s fun, well-made, and satisfying, just not groundbreaking compared to the heavy hitters above it. Still, for fans of the series, it’s a worthy entry and an enjoyable ride.

9) Belle

Belle is one of those movies that feels like it should’ve been talked about more than it was. A modern reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, Mamoru Hosoda’s 2021 film blends social media culture, virtual identities, and emotional healing into a visually stunning package.

The virtual world of “U” is the real star here. It’s vibrant, imaginative, and beautifully animated, making every scene inside it feel alive. The soundtrack also deserves praise, especially Belle’s musical performances, which hit hard emotionally.

That said, the story isn’t flawless. Some plot threads feel rushed or underdeveloped, which keeps the film from reaching true classic status. Even so, its message about self-acceptance and identity in an online world feels especially relevant in this decade. Belle may not be perfect, but it’s heartfelt, ambitious, and absolutely worth watching.

8) The First Slam Dunk

Few anime movies surprised audiences quite like The First Slam Dunk. Rather than simply delivering flashy basketball action, the film takes a more grounded and emotional approach, focusing heavily on Ryota Miyagi’s personal struggles and grief.

Directed by manga creator Takehiko Inoue himself, the movie feels deeply personal. You can sense the care poured into every frame. The blend of 2D animation with 3D CG is handled with impressive restraint, enhancing the action without overpowering it.

What really sets this film apart is how well it works for both longtime fans and newcomers. Even if you’ve never watched Slam Dunk before, the story stands strong on its own. Its critical acclaim, including a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, speaks volumes. The only reason it doesn’t rank higher is impact. As incredible as it is, it didn’t hit global pop culture quite as hard as the movies above it.

7) Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc

MAPPA’s first Chainsaw Man movie wastes absolutely no time reminding us why this series blew up in the first place. The Reze Arc is chaotic, emotional, violent, and surprisingly tender when it needs to be.

Reze is a fantastic antagonist, challenging Denji not just physically, but emotionally and morally. Their relationship adds depth to Denji’s character, pushing his growth in ways the series had only hinted at before. The action sequences are brutal and creative, with MAPPA once again flexing its animation muscle.

Where the film stumbles slightly is pacing. It’s tightly constructed, sometimes a bit too tightly, leaving certain moments less room to breathe. Still, as an adaptation, it’s incredibly faithful and visually stunning. It just lacks the broader cultural impact of the top-tier entries on this list.

6) Demon Slayer: Mugen Train

Mugen Train didn’t just succeed. It shattered records.

Visually, it’s exactly what you’d expect from Demon Slayer: polished, fluid, and absolutely gorgeous. But what really made this film resonate was its emotional core. In under two hours, it introduces and fully develops Rengoku as a character, making his journey hit far harder than anyone anticipated.

Despite taking place mostly in a single location, the movie feels massive. The stakes are high, the action is intense, and the emotional payoff lingers long after the credits roll. Its straightforward structure and predictability keep it from cracking the top five, but its influence on the anime film industry is undeniable.

5) Jujutsu Kaisen 0

As a prequel, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 had a tough job. It needed to appeal to existing fans while also welcoming newcomers. Impressively, it does both.

The film introduces Yuta Okkotsu as a compelling lead, adding emotional weight and new context to the main series. The writing is tight, the pacing feels right, and the action scenes are expertly choreographed. MAPPA’s animation paired with a powerful soundtrack makes every fight feel impactful.

While it may not surpass some of the decade’s most ambitious films, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is an excellent example of how to expand a franchise without feeling like filler.

4) Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

Ending Evangelion was never going to be easy. After decades of storytelling, expectations were sky-high. Somehow, Thrice Upon a Time delivers.

This film feels like a love letter to fans, offering closure, reflection, and growth. Shinji’s journey finally reaches a place of acceptance, and the film gives viewers permission to move on alongside the characters. The animation is stunning, blending surreal imagery with emotional realism.

It doesn’t rank higher simply because the competition above it is fierce. But as a finale, it’s deeply satisfying and emotionally rewarding.

3) The Boy and the Heron

Hayao Miyazaki’s return to directing resulted in one of the most visually striking anime films of the decade. The Boy and the Heron is strange, haunting, and beautiful in equal measure.

The story explores grief, trauma, and the act of letting go through a surreal journey that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. While the pacing is slow at first, the emotional payoff is undeniable.

Winning Best Animated Feature at the Oscars wasn’t a fluke. Even if its narrative isn’t always crystal clear, its themes and artistry make it unforgettable.

2) Suzume

Makoto Shinkai does it again.

Suzume combines breathtaking visuals with an emotionally grounded story about loss, healing, and connection. From the opening moments, the film pulls you in, introducing a charming protagonist and a mysterious world tied together by haunting imagery and strong emotional beats.

The pacing is excellent, the humor lands, and the emotional twists hit hard without feeling manipulative. Many argue it was just as Oscar-worthy as The Boy and the Heron. The only reason it isn’t number one is simple: the top spot belongs to a cultural juggernaut.

1) Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle

There was never any real competition here.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle isn’t just the best anime movie of the 2020s so far. It’s the highest-grossing anime film of all time, and for good reason. This movie marks the true beginning of the end for the series, and it feels monumental from the first scene.

The animation is on another level, surpassing even previous Demon Slayer highs. The action is relentless, the stakes are enormous, and the emotional moments pay off years of storytelling. It doesn’t just deliver spectacle, it delivers meaning.

Few anime films manage to balance hype, heart, and craftsmanship this well. Infinity Castle earns its crown.