15 Highest-Grossing Anime Movies of All Time, Ranked

Widely known as «anime,» Japanese animation’s worldwide popularity has increased significantly over time, making its way to the Western world during the early 1990s. Through the years, it has become even more of a hit among global audiences, with various anime series like Naruto and One Piece ascending in prominence and becoming two of the most beloved animated shows.

In the film strand, Studio Ghibli has conquered the hearts of thousands, proving that Japanese animation is some of the most visually stunning and emotionally charged in the industry. Ghibli has paved the way for more Japanese directors to translate their fantastic stories to the big screen for international audiences to cherish; naturally, this could only have incredible results, as seen in the impressive worldwide earnings of the following films. From One Piece Film: Red to Spirited Away, these are the highest-grossing anime movies of all time.

15 ‘The Secret World of Arrietty’ (2010)

Worldwide Earnings: $151,496,097

A simple yet magical story built upon limitless imagination and creativity, The Secret World of Arrietty continued Studio Ghibli’s dominance both critically and financially when it came to anime films. Based on the classic English novel, the film follows the story of a family of miniature people who are secretly living in the walls and floors of an everyday home, borrowing items from humans to survive. This family’s secret life is soon put at risk when Arrietty, the young daughter of the family, is discovered by a human boy.

The Secret World of Arrietty combines the signature charm and wonder of Studio Ghibli films with the creativity and timelessness of the original story to create a cinematic match made in heaven. The film expands upon the concepts and characters of the original novel in a deeply compelling and interesting way, helping the film maintain an audience and great deals of success worldwide. It was also able to make success at the domestic box office, as Ghibli collaborated with Disney for the distribution of the film in the U.S., and it was an even bigger hit when it hit the home video market. – Robert Lee

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14 ‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)

Worldwide Earnings: $159,414,369

One of many masterful films under the banner of Studio Ghibli and visionary director Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke is a beautifully animated epic whose themes, messages, and action still hold up almost 30 years later. The film follows the story of Ashitaka, a prince who, after being cursed by a demonized boar god, is forced to travel to the West to find a cure for his ailment. On his journey, he finds himself at the center of an ongoing power struggle between the creatures of the forest and a growing community of humans looking to extend their influence.

Princess Mononoke was a massive critical and financial hit within Japan upon its release, even managing to hold the box office record for Japan’s domestic films. The film can be largely attributed to introducing many audiences worldwide not only to Studio Ghibli and their excellent catalog of movies, but cinematic anime filmmaking as a whole. However, the majority of its influence in the US was in the home video market, as Princess Mononoke was notoriously set up for failure at the US box office, and one can only wonder how much money it would have grossed if this were not the case. – Robert Lee

13 ‘Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back’ (1999)

Worldwide Earnings: $163,644,662

The first and most successful in what would become a long line of beloved and iconic films in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon: The First Movie saw Ash and his friends invited to a mysterious island alongside a group of other outstanding trainers. When they arrive, they soon learn that the host is Mewtwo, the deadly and powerful genetic Pokémon who was created in a lab and harbors hatred toward humanity. It becomes up to Ash and all the other trainers to take down Mewtwo before he can enact his plan to take over the world with his genetic clone Pokémon.

It’s difficult to understate just how much Pokémon took the world by storm in the ’90s, with the games, anime series, and trading card game all becoming massive hits that were simply unavoidable. Pokémon: The First Movie acted as the near culmination of this «Poke-mania,» with children around the world wanting to go and see all their favorites on the big screen, as well as the monumental anime debut of Mewtwo, one of the most powerful Pokémon of all time. – Robert Lee

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12 ‘One Piece Film: Red’ (2022)

Worldwide Earnings: $171,319,579

One Piece being one of the most treasured and watched anime of all time, it only makes sense that one of its 15 feature films — which is also the most recent — is one of the highest-grossing of all time. Red depicts beloved, often described as «otherworldly» singer Uta’s (Kaori Nazuka) revelation to the world as she appears in public for the first time at a live concert. What viewers may not expect is that Uta is, in fact, the daughter of a well-known pirate.

With the release of a new film and new television series — Netflix’s live-action hit show, which premiered in 2023 — it is safe to say that the early 2020s were great years for fans of the series. Red did not disappoint; it features incredible artwork and an engaging story that adds to the fictional universe. With over $171 million at the box office, this One Piece film earned a place among the highest-grossing anime films of all time. While it is often said to have grossed $247 million, that actually refers to the total amount of earnings that Japanese studio Toei gathered in 2022.

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11 ‘Stand by Me Doraemon’ (2014)

Worldwide Earnings: $183,442,714

Acting as the quintessential next chapter for one of the biggest and most successful animated film franchises of all time, Stand by Me Doraemon adapts and brings to life the biggest moments of the Doraemon series in beautiful stylized 3D animation. The film follows Doraemon, a robot cat from the 22nd century who has traveled back in time to help young Nobita Nobi in his day-to-day life. The film chronicles their expansive and iconic friendship throughout the series, beginning with their first time meeting and ending with the emotional wedding.

In the same vein that films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse and The Peanuts Movie were able to beautifully translate 2D characters into a 3D space, Stand by Me Doraemon proved the same was possible for anime and manga characters. The film built upon the already massively successful and consistent audience for the Doraemon films to create a powerful and emotionally resonating love letter to the decades-long series, becoming the highest-grossing film in the franchise in the process. – Robert Lee

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10 ‘Weathering With You’ (2020)

Worldwide Earnings: $192,822,685

From the mind of Makoto Shinkai, Weathering With You is an absorbing fantasy anime movie set during a period of rainy weather and centering around high-school boy Hodaka Morishima’s (KotaroDaigo) adventure as he runs away from his rural home and heads to Tokyo, where he befriends an orphan girl, Hina Amano (NanaMori), who can manipulate the weather.

With a worldwide gross of over $181 million, Weathering With You is one of the filmmaker’s most successful features. As expected, it is equally heartwarming and emotional, features two likable protagonists at its center, top-notch animation, and a story that speaks volumes about the effect of natural disasters upon Japanese people, family, and sacrifice. Furthermore, the 2020 anime movie is undoubtedly essential viewing for fans of Shinkai’s visually striking and beautifully scored work.

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9 ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ (2021)

Worldwide Earnings: $196,308,703

This prequel to the Jujutsu Kaisen manga series introduces audiences to a high school student who has a powerful cursed spirit attached to him. The film illustrates Yuta Okkotsu’s (Megumi Ogata) learning journey as he meets teacher Gogo Satoru (YūichiNakamura) in 2016 and is taught how to control the haunting being that torments him in the Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School by Jujutsu Sorcerers.

An overall impeccable film that carries on the legacy of the franchise, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is understandably among the highest-grossing anime movies to date, gathering $196,308,703 under its belt. One of the best parts about it is that one doesn’t need to see the series before watching the film (though it is a must for catching references and easter eggs), as it is a well-crafted prequel that serves as a proper introduction to the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, which has arguably surpassed the big three anime shows quality-wise.

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8 ‘Ponyo’ (2008)

Worldwide Earnings: $205,162,666

Given their massive popularity, Studio Ghibli movies often have audiences queuing up at the theaters, and for good reason. Ponyo is a true gem and arguably one of the Japanese studio’s best. The movie follows a five-year-old boy who develops a relationship with a young goldfish princess named Ponyo. After falling for him, she longs to become a human.

Delightfully stunning and incredibly touching, Ponyo is a powerful meditation about the environment and an immediate call to action (like many other Ghibli features, such as the beloved Princess Mononoke). No doubt, Miyakazi’s work is a must-see animated Japanese feature. Plus, the American version features a superb voice cast, with names like Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, and Matt Damon thrown into the mix. It grossed over $205 million at the worldwide box office.

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7 ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (2004)

Worldwide Earnings: $237,814,327

In the utterly absorbing Howl’s Moving Castle, an insecure young woman (Chieko Baishô) is cursed with an old body by a jealous witch. Her chance of breaking the spell is reaching out to a self-indulgent young wizard (Takuya Kimura) and his companions in a walking castle with legs.

Hayao Miyazaki’s incredible film is a magical watch throughout, and possibly among the studio’s most bewitching, as it completely immerses audiences and has them under its spell. Additionally, Howl’s Moving Castle, which is the second highest-grossing Studio Ghibli movie so far, is the perfect pick for both younger and older audiences, as it provides a poignant message about the value of compassion and chosen family.

6 ‘The First Slam Dunk’ (2023)

Worldwide Earnings: $279,892,281

Earning more than $279 million at the box office, The First Slam Dunk is easily among the best Japanese movies of 2023 (though it was released in Japan in 2022). The Takehiko Inoue film centers around 17-year-old Ryota Miyagi (Shugo Nakamura) as he attempts to accomplish his late elder brother’s life-long dream of becoming a top-notch basketball player.

With plenty of intense, action-packed scenes, this near-flawless animated feature is guaranteed to have viewers — especially basketball enthusiasts — invested throughout, moved by its strong narrative, and awed by its 3D visuals. The First Slam Dunk quickly cemented itself as one of the best and most refreshing anime movies ever made, as well as one of 2023’s most underrated movies, according to many.

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5 ‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)

Worldwide Earnings: $294,217,033

The glorious and widely critically acclaimed return of masterful director Hayao Miyazaki, The Boy and the Heron proved that the director was still an uncontested champion when it came to powerful anime filmmaking. The film follows young teenage Mahito, forced to acclimate and readjust his life after he moves into the home of his new stepmother, Natsuko, during the Second World War. Soon, Mahito ends up discovering a miraculous hidden world just beneath their own, filled with wild creatures in the balance between life and death, where he makes outstanding discoveries about his own life.

Miyazaki’s films have always been widely successful not only critically but financially as well, as some of the most successful and beloved anime films of all time. It’s no wonder that Miyazaki’s return after 10 years of retirement would create a box office frenzy, yet The Boy and the Heron managed to exceed all expectations. After its Academy Award win for Best Animated Feature, the film made a killing at the box office, with a notable uptick of earning over $100 million in China. – Robert Lee

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4 ‘Suzume’ (2022)

Worldwide Earnings: $316,848,245

Among Shinkai’s best is 2022’s Suzume, a compelling tale of family and love that focuses on overcoming tragedy in the aftermath of natural disasters. The film illustrates the heart-wrenching story of the 17-year-old titular character (Nanoka Hara) as she helps a young man (HokutoMatsumura) close doors from the other side, which are causing havoc all over Japan.

Suzume‘s $316,848,245 earnings, which established it as the fourth highest-grossing anime feature film, are not the only impressive aspect of this charming 2022 anime. In truth, the genre-bending Suzume has it all: romance, fantasy, adventure, and a premise that sticks with audiences. All of this, combined with striking visuals, makes Shinkai’s film an essential watch for anyone who enjoys Japanese animation.

3 ‘Your Name’ (2016)

Worldwide Earnings: $347,641,192

In the endearing Your Name, two teenagers — a girl (Mone Kamishiraishi) from a small mountain town and a high school boy (RyunosukeKamiki) in Tokyo who works part-time in an Italian restaurant — share an intimate connection after discovering that they are swapping bodies. The two decide to meet in person and embark on a journey to find each other.

Combining romance with comedy and action, Shinkai’s highest-grossing movie to date is well worth checking out. At this point, it almost goes without saying that it is visually impressive. However, the film’s incredible imagery makes it hard not to highlight the beauty of Shinkai’s body of work once more. Furthermore, the gorgeously animated fantasy movie is emotionally engaging and undeniably well-written. Your Name exceeds many expectations, including at the box office side of things, where it has grossed over $347 million globally.

2 ‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Worldwide Earnings: $383,883,823

Best Animated Feature 2002 Oscar-winner Spirited Away goes down in history as one of the most cherished movies in the anime genre, and the most financially successful too. The story follows Chihiro Ogino (RumiHiiragi), a ten-year-old girl who moves to a new neighborhood only to enter the world of Kami, the spirits of Japanese Shinto folklore.

Meditating on what it feels like to be a kid — conflicted, confused, and utterly complex — this Studio Ghibli film is, justifiably, still a fan favorite to this day. Not only does Spirited Away highlight universal themes of identity, selflessness, and the fear of the unknown, but it does an incredible job of that. On top of being the second highest-grossing anime movie of all time, Spirited Away is Japan’s highest-rated film ever on IMDb.

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1 ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train’ (2020)

Worldwide Earnings: $507,119,058

After the massive success of Demon Slayer‘s first season, it comes as no surprise that the first movie in the fictional universe is among the highest-grossing anime. Mugen Train centers on the start of Tanjirô’s (Natsuki Hanae) journey as a demon slayer, following him and his companions as they embark on a mission abroad on the doomed Mugen Train.

With an impressive total of $507,119,058 earnings, the engrossing Demon Slayer: Mugen Train takes the crown as the most lucrative anime movie, which is not only thanks to the huge fanbase it has but also for its incredible technical achievements and compelling storyline that elevate the franchise to higher grounds, making it a popular feature even among non-anime fans. The film combines top-tier CGI effects and classic anime character design with incredible results.

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