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.
This shift towards mainstream acceptance has, naturally, resulted in improved box office performance, but which is the highest-grossing anime movie 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?
As the data can vary depending on the source, The Number's Worldwide Box Office or Box Office Mojo's Worldwide earnings will be primarily used; if the sites state different earnings for a film, the higher one will be picked. Regarding the availability of these films, the focus will be on U.S. Streaming services.
Updated April 27, 2023 by Mark Sammut: The rankings of the highest-grossing anime movies have been constantly in flux over the last few years. Once upon a time, a year might have produced one anime flick that would gain significant traction outside of Japan, and it would have had to be produced by Studio Ghibli or feature Pokemon. That is no longer the case, and the animation world is all the better for it.
22 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time ($92,900,767)
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Japanese Title |
Shin Evangelion Gekijou-ban:|| |
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Release Date |
March 8, 2021 |
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Studio |
Khara |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
Nearly a decade after Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo's debut, Rebuild of Evangelion finally dropped its final chapter. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time brings Hideaki Anno's vision to a close in epic fashion. While the 2021 film revisits ideas explored in 1997's The End of Evangelion, these themes are explored in fresh ways that reveal new sides to the characters and the world they exist in.
If Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time proves to be NGE's last anime, the franchise can forever claim that it went out on a high, both critically and commercially.
21 Case Closed: The Scarlet Bullet ($95,580,715)
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Japanese Title |
Detective Conan Movie 24: Hiiro no Dangan |
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Release Date |
April 16, 2021 |
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Studio |
TMS Entertainment |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
N/A |
While Case Closed is a recognizable name in Western nations, Detective Conan is a juggernaut brand in Japan. Alongside a series with over a thousand episodes, the franchise has released 25 movies across roughly the same amount of years. Such a consistent release schedule could result in public burnout, yet the series continues to perform well at the box office.
The Scarlet Bullet is not the only Case Closed film to rank among the highest-grossing anime movies, serving as a testament to the franchise's enduring popularity in its home country. Unlike the recent Dragon Ball movies, Case Closed's features did not receive theatrical runs in North America.
20 Yo-kai Watch: It's The Secret Of Birth, Meow! ($99,481,307)
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Japanese Title |
Youkai Watch Movie 1: Tanjou no Himitsu da Nyan! |
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Release Date |
December 20, 2014 |
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Studio |
OLM |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
N/A |
Released at arguably the height of Yo-kai Watch mania, this movie roughly covers the second game in the series, although fans should not go in expecting a 100% faithful adaptation. Similar to the anime series, Yo-kai Watch: The Movie is predominantly concerned with delivering humor and lighthearted adventure, two things the film generally accomplished. At no point does this story attempt to extract a tear or get the audience thinking, and that is hardly a bad thing to experience every once in a while.
Yo-kai Watch has produced a couple more films following this release, but none of them have come close to achieving the same level of international success. Still, they are decent ways to kill 90 minutes.
19 Case Closed: Zero The Enforcer ($101,860,359)
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Japanese Title |
Detective Conan Movie 22: Zero the Enforcer |
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Release Date |
April 13, 2018 |
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Studio |
TMS Entertainment |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
N/A |
An enjoyable entry starring everyone’s favorite anime detective, Case Closed: Zero the Enforcer finds Mori Kogoro accused of a terrorist attack at a Summit meeting. Despite evidence pointing towards Kogoro, there is clearly something not quite right about the case, and Conan sets out to discover the truth.
Zero the Enforcer is simply an entertaining film that moves at a good pace and comes with a fun final reveal. While not especially unique, this movie demonstrates Case Closed’s impeccable ability to craft tight mysteries with memorable payoffs.
18 Case Closed: The Fist Of Blue Sapphire ($115,570,314)
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Japanese Title |
Detective Conan Movie 23: The Fist of Blue Sapphire |
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Release Date |
April 12, 2019 |
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Studio |
TMS Entertainment |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
N/A |
When it comes to highest-grossing anime films, it mostly boils down to Japan’s preferences, outside a couple of exceptions such as Pokemon and Dragon Ball.
The 23rd film released as part of the Detective Conan franchise, The Fist of Blue Sapphire sometimes feels like more of a Kaito Kid flick than a Conan piece. Nevertheless, it is a solid entry in a series that has produced many of them.
17 Dragon Ball Super: Broly ($122,747,755)
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Japanese Title |
Dragon Ball Super: Broly |
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Release Date |
December 14, 2018 |
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Studio |
Toei Animation |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
Dragon Ball needs no introduction since the show has served as an entry-level shounen anime for plenty of people. For all of its success, Dragon Ball had to wait nearly two decades after its heyday to produce a proper theatrical movie. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' walked so that Dragon Ball Super: Broly could run and smash through a few box office records along the way.
Wisely focusing on Broly rather than Goku, the 2018 film delivers a surprisingly effective story that creates a sympathetic figure out of a character who, up to that point, was mostly known for screaming.
16 Pokemon: The Movie 2000 ($133,949,270)
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Japanese Title |
Pokemon Movie 02: Maboroshi no Pokemon Lugia Bakutan |
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Release Date |
July 17, 1999 |
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Studio |
OLM |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
Released at the height of Pokemon mania, Lugia’s star-making vehicle is a pop culture relic of the late ‘90s. When a collector seeks to “catch” the three Legendary Birds to summon Lugia, the world is sent into chaos. Obviously, Ash and Pikachu are dragged right into the middle of this dangerous situation.
Pokemon: The Movie 2000 is not going to offer much to people not already fond of the franchise, but it holds nostalgic value for those who grew up with Ash’s adventures or even the Nintendo RPGs.
15 The Wind Rises ($136,742,301)
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Japanese Title |
Kaze Tachinu |
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Release Date |
July 20, 2013 |
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Studio |
Studio Ghibli |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
In 2013, The Wind Rises was billed as Hayao Miyazaki’s final movie, however, the director has since come out of retirement and is currently working on a new project entitled How Do You Live? Although this development takes some shine away from The Wind Rises, the film still represents a culmination of the esteemed filmmaker’s work.
“Flight” is a constant theme throughout Miyazaki’s filmography, and The Wind Rises finds the director exploring this concept without any distractions. Unsurprisingly, the film is visually stunning, and the narrative pulls from reality in a way that adds significant weight to the story beats.
14 The Secret World Of Arrietty ($151,496,097)
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Japanese Title |
Karigurashi no Arrietty |
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Release Date |
July 17, 2010 |
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Studio |
Studio Ghibli |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
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 Shou.
13 Pokemon: The First Movie ($163,644,662)
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Japanese Title |
Pokemon Movie 01: Mewtwo no Gyakushuu |
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Release Date |
July 18, 1998 |
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Studio |
OLM |
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Source for Box Office Gross |
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Where to Stream |
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.
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.