Top 10 highest rated Anime Movies on the internet - the Best!

We all like to watch quality movies, don't we? And with anime, it's no different. You've probably already seen most of the works that will appear in this article. After all, they are famous for their excellence, but we hope that one of these recommendations will make your week better. Who knows, maybe this will be the motivation to watch that movie you always promised to watch?

Us! Just kidding, it wasn't us. Normally we would use the scores from MyAnimeList as a reference, but since we're talking about the internet as a larger group, we chose to have other sources. In this case, we'll use Rotten Tomatoes, MyAnimeList and IMDb, presenting the average between the three sites as the “official” score of the animes on our list. Don't worry, we'll also leave the individual score from each site so you can see.

Note: We'll transform everything into the same form of evaluation. Example: Rotten Tomatoes has a rating of 96% for a movie, let's convert it to 9.6 to make the math easier.

Akira

IMDb: 8.0

MAL: 8.1

RT: 9.0

Overall Average: 8.4

Genres: Action, Sci-Fi

Synopsis: Akira is a landmark in anime history and is often cited as one of the most influential works of all time. Set in a dystopian Tokyo, the film follows Kaneda and Tetsuo, two friends who become involved in a government experiment that goes wrong. Akira is known for its stunning animation and for exploring complex themes of power, corruption, and identity.

Perfect Blue

IMDb: 8.0

MAL: 8.5

RT: 9.2

Total Average: 8.6

Genres: Thriller, Psychological, Suspense

Synopsis: Perfect Blue is a psychological thriller directed by Satoshi Kon that explores the dangers of fame and identity. The story follows Mima Kirigoe, a former idol who decides to pursue a career as an actress, but begins to lose her grip on reality when she is stalked by an obsessive fan. The film is acclaimed for its tense narrative and its commentary on the pressures of public life.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

IMDb: 8.0

MAL: 8.3

RT: 9.5

Overall Average: 8.6

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Historical

Synopsis: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a beautiful adaptation of the Japanese folk tale "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter". The film, directed by Isao Takahata, tells the story of Kaguya, a princess discovered in a glowing bamboo and raised by an elderly couple. The unique watercolor-style animation and poetic storytelling make this film a visually and emotionally impactful experience.

Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai (I Want to Eat Your Pancreas)

IMDb: 8.2

MAL: 8.6

RT: 9.0

Overall Rating: 8.6

Genres: Drama, Romance

Synopsis: I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a heartwarming story about friendship and mortality. The plot revolves around an introverted high school student who discovers the diary of a classmate, Sakura, who is terminally ill. The unexpected friendship that develops between the two is both heartbreaking and inspiring, making this film a must-watch for drama fans.

Howl's Moving Castle

IMDb: 8.2

MAL: 8.7

RT: 9.3

Total Average: 8.7

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis: In Howl's Moving Castle, we follow the story of Sophie, a young girl who is cursed and transformed into an old woman by a jealous witch. To break the curse, she seeks help in the eccentric castle of the mysterious wizard Howl. The film, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a charming blend of fantasy and romance, with breathtaking animation.

A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi)

IMDb: 8.1

MAL: 8.9

RT: 9.5

Total Average: 8.8

Genres: Drama, School

Synopsis: A Silent Voice is a touching drama that explores the consequences of bullying and the power of forgiveness. The story revolves around Shoya Ishida, who seeks redemption after bullying a deaf classmate, Shoko Nishimiya, in the past. This moving film explores themes of guilt, isolation, and the journey to self-acceptance.

Grave of the Fireflies

IMDb: 8.5

MAL: 8.5

RT: 9.7

Overall Average: 8.9

Genres: Drama, War

Synopsis: Grave of the Fireflies is a devastating film that chronicles the struggle of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, to survive during the final days of World War II in Japan. The film is a powerful portrayal of innocence lost in times of war and is widely considered one of the most moving and impactful anime films of all time.

Spirited Away

IMDb: 8.6

MAL: 8.7

RT: 9.6

Total Average: 8.9

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Drama

Synopsis: Spirited Away is a Studio Ghibli masterpiece directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film follows the journey of Chihiro, a young girl who finds herself in a magical world full of spirits and strange creatures, while trying to save her parents, who have been turned into pigs. Filled with stunning visuals and captivating storytelling, it is one of the most beloved anime films of all time.

Your Name (Kimi no Na wa)

IMDb: 8.4

MAL: 8.9

RT: 9.8

Overall Average: 9.0

Genres: Romance, Drama, Fantasy

Synopsis: Your Name is a love story with a touch of fantasy that connects two young people, Taki and Mitsuha, in unexpected ways. They mysteriously switch bodies, creating a unique connection between their lives. The film is known for its beautiful animation and innovative approach to themes of love, fate, and identity.

Gintama: The Final (Honorable Mention)

IMDb: 8.4

MAL: 9.0

RT: 9.0

Overall Average: 8.8

Genres: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Synopsis: Gintama: The Final is the epic conclusion to one of Japan's most beloved series. In this film, the epic final battle between Gintoki and Utsuro's army finally reaches its climax. The film is an adaptation of the manga’s final arc, featuring a mix of intense action and heart-warming moments as Gintoki and his allies fight to save the Earth from destruction. Packed with twists and turns and the series’ signature humor, Gintama: The Final offers a heartwarming farewell to longtime fans.

If you pay attention, you’ll notice that there’s a pattern to the “serious” and respected films we’ve featured here. Interestingly, if we just look at MyAnimeList, the list changes completely. Perhaps this is due to the audience that frequents each site.

On MAL, for example, we find many traditional anime films in the top 10, such as Violet Evergarden: The Movie, two Gintama films, Kizumonogatari, Kaguya-sama, Slam Dunk, among others. On the other hand, IMDb is dominated by Studio Ghibli films and other productions with a more cinematic feel, resulting in a more homogeneous list and without so many “anime films” in the classic sense.

These films represent the crème de la crème of anime, the best of the best. Selected based on the average of three popular websites, the result was more or less what we expected. Even so, we were surprised by the absence of more Studio Ghibli films, such as Princess Mononoke. And yes, we here — me and my super qualified editor — were a little disappointed not to see any films that are actually derived from an anime on the main list.

But what do you think? Which film should be here? Tell us in the comments!