Best Anime Movies On Crunchyroll

Love or hate it, Crunchyroll is the biggest anime streaming service in the world. No, I'm not counting those sites (you know the ones!). For the most part, the site is associated with TV series, particularly seasonal releases that take up so many people's weekly watch schedules. If you stick to shows currently airing on Crunchyroll, you will have hundreds of episodes to watch each season, more than enough to keep you busy. However, you should not ignore Crunchyroll's great anime movies, even if the site does not go out of its way to promote them.

The truth is that Crunchyroll also has the most expansive selection of anime movies, including major theatrical productions that debuted in the last few years. The site has masterpieces created by decorated directors, fun popcorn flicks with stellar animation, and sequels (or filler) to beloved TV shows. As I know how hard it can be to find a comprehensive account of the best movies on Crunchyroll, I've put together a list of my personal favorites, most of which are highly regarded.

The following movies are available in Crunchyroll's North America lineup, but the selection varies from region to region.

Each movie's MyAnimeList score has been included for reference. Crunchyroll's best anime movies are listed first, just to highlight them.

Finally, click on the movie's Japanese title to head straight to its Crunchyroll page.

Updated December 1, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Another year is about to come to an end, and Crunchyroll has once again served as the dominant streaming platform for anime. Generally, people subscribe to the service to keep up with the weekly episodes and, maybe, to watch an older series every once in a while. However, Crunchyroll has many, many awesome movies, along with a few that are entertaining but not great.

On that note, I've added Bayonetta: Bloody Fate at the end of this article.

Suzume

MyAnimeList: 8.25

In the last decade, Makoto Shinkai has garnered considerable attention, setting himself up as arguably the most well-known active anime director. This fame can mostly be credited to Your Name, a fantastic and gorgeous movie that was one of the best of the last decade. Unfortunately, that film is not on Crunchyroll, but the streaming service does have Suzume, Shinkai's most recent project. Like Your Name and Weathering with You, the 2022 release is a visual triumph with very few peers, featuring a presentation that rivals anything in the director's previous outings.

Suzume's story tends to be quite divisive, especially since it covers ground that Shinkai had threaded in most of his previous outings. The movie deals with the divide between modern civilization and nature, along with revolving around a girl and a guy who, while close, feel like they exist in separate worlds. You should go into this movie blind, as it takes a couple of peculiar turns that need to be experienced directly.

Millennium Actress

MyAnimeList: 8.24

Every Satoshi Kon movie is a masterpiece in its own right, and his four feature directorial efforts are wildly different from each other. Perfect Blue is probably his most well-known work, for good reason, but Millennium Actress is arguably just as great.

Framed through an interview with an actress who has long since retired, the movie goes through her life, using this as an opportunity to explore eras in Japanese film history while also telling a powerful tale about memories, legacy, and isolation. Visually, Millennium Actress is a work of art of near-insurmountable measure, and the animation beautifully complements the historically dense but still introspective story.

Akira

MyAnimeList: 8.16

An all-time classic, Akira was among the first anime movies to gain international fame. As such, the gory sci-fi flick introduced a generation to Japanese animation, and they could not ask for a better crash course. Even more than three decades later, the movie's visuals and themes continue to be awe-inspiring and thought-provoking.

Set in a cyberpunk metropolis called Neo-Tokyo that rose up from the corpse of Tokyo, Akira envisions a cutthroat world rife with crime, gang warfare, and human experimentation. When one of Shoutarou's friends begins to develop psychic powers, he is kidnapped by the government.

Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel]

MyAnimeList: 8.16 (Presage Flower); 8.47 (Lost Butterfly); 8.65 (Spring Song)

Finally, Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] is readily accessible on Crunchyroll, allowing fans of Fate/Zero or Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works an opportunity to consume one of the darkest storylines in this franchise. For the uninitiated, Fate/stay night started as a visual novel with three main routes, with Heaven's Feel being largely ignored by Unlimited Blade Works or even the underwhelming 2006 series. This trilogy covers this route, delivering roughly six hours of intense action, horrifying imagery, and twisted romance. While, technically, a viewer does not need to be intimately familiar with the previous incarnations, Heaven's Feel assumes that anyone watching understands the concept of a Holy Grail War and knows most of the core masters and servants, even if their depictions are somewhat different in this particular storyline.

The Holy Grail War is, essentially, a battle royale where mages summon heroes from history to fight each other to the death. The winner gets any wish granted, and there is definitely no way that might backfire.

While this is a trip best entered relatively blind (for this route), Heaven's Feel is notably darker and gorier than the other Fate anime, which is saying something. Shirou and Sakura's relationship serves as the story's beating heart, and it is more of an epic tragedy than a "love conquers all" journey. Even though the visual novel is still the best way to experience this storyline, the movie trilogy serves as a great celebration of not just the franchise as a whole, but specifically ufotable's work on the adaptations. The studio's anime helped turn Fate into a mainstream name, and Heaven's Feel is an incredible swan song.

Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms

MyAnimeList: 8.39

A haunting tale about family, war, and mortality, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms expertly tells a personal story while building an ambitious and epic fantasy world. In this universe, humans exist alongside the Iorph, who look similar but have much longer lifespans. After watching her town and loved ones be massacred by a human army, Maquia barely manages to escape; on the way, she finds a human baby and decides to adopt him.

Along with weaving an engrossing war story, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms thoroughly explores the heartbreaking relationship between Maquia and Ariel, her son who is destined to age past his mother. Visually stunning and narratively dense, this anime is a modern masterpiece that deserves to be mentioned alongside the likes of Your Name and A Silent Voice.

The Garden Of Sinners

MyAnimeList: 8.52 (Movie 5)

Consisting of eight movies along with a few OVAs, The Garden of Sinners adapts Kinoko Kasu's light novel series centering around Shiki Ryougi, a woman who can see someone's lines of death. Touching upon heavy themes like abuse and suicide, The Garden of Sinners is not an easy watch at the best of times, especially since the franchise's nonlinear structure means the first few movies can fall flat.

While you will need some patience to sit through all of these films, The Garden of Sinners reveals itself to be a thought-provoking and unforgettable experience with few equals in anime. Paradox Spiral and A Study in Murder – Part 2 are the strongest entries.

Haikyu!! Movie: The Dumpster Battle

MyAnimeList: 8.62

Be it Haruichi Furudate's manga or the anime adaptation, Haikyu!! Is just reliably entertaining. A serious argument could be made that the story has never really missed a beat, at least not to the point of causing a loss of momentum. The Dumpster Battle maintains the extremely high standards set by the TV show, serving as a fantastic sequel that justifies its theatrical release through top-notch production value (even more so than the series).

Now, as with all of these types of shonen releases, the movie expects viewers to be fully caught up with Haikyu!!, meaning they should have watched all four seasons. Fortunately, the entire series is available on Crunchyroll, so the content is very accessible. The Dumpster Battle finds Karasuno going up against arguably their biggest rival: Nekoma. The latter is known for their extremely great defensive game, setting them up to counter Karasuno's intense speed.

Gintama: The Very Final

MyAnimeList: 9.04

After more than 300 episodes and a couple of movies, Gintama finally came to an end courtesy of a stellar film. The Very Final lives up to its name by delivering a glorious romp that sees the Odds Job crew teaming up with friends and foes to try and defeat Utsuro once and for all. For the most part, the flick focuses on action, which is generally vicious and creative.

However, Gintama cannot exist without humor, and The Very Final periodically brings things to a halt to have a hearty laugh. Halfway through the story, the movie stops for a good 10 minutes to deliver one of Gintama's most absurd jokes of all time, and it is great.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train

MyAnimeList: 8.56

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train is the highest-grossing anime film of all time, and fans of the shonen series can watch the feature on Crunchyroll. An action extravaganza that moves at a frantic pace while still giving important moments time to breathe, Mugen Train takes everything that worked about the show's first season and amplifies it; the animation ranks among Ufotable's best, Enmu is a fun villain, and Kyojuro Rengoku is comfortably among the franchise's most beloved characters.

Crunchyroll also has the TV version of the Mugen Train arc, and while that is a perfectly fine way to experience this storyline, there is no reason to watch that iteration instead of the movie.

Spy x Family Code: White

MyAnimeList: 8.13

A standalone "filler" movie, Code: White might not add much to Spy x Family's overarching story or lore, but it is a whole lot of fun. The movie takes the show's episodic format and stretches a typical storyline into nearly two hours, incorporating the same sense of humor and surprisingly great action that have made Spy x Family such a beloved modern anime.

Now, someone's mileage will come down entirely to their overall attachment to the series. If they disliked season 2 due to feeling that the story stagnated in favor of fluff shenanigans, then they will probably not get much out of Code: White. Conversely, if they simply enjoy watching Anya, Loid, and Yor engage in wholesome silliness with occasionally massive stakes, they will love this side quest. This film is hilarious, beautifully animated, and fittingly "bigger" than the series, at least in its presentation. The villain is also quite good.

Card Captor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card

MyAnimeList: 8.21

Crunchyroll has both of Madhouse's Cardcaptor Sakura movies, each of which is a must-watch for fans of the iconic magical girl anime. As good as the first feature is, it is completely blown out of the water by its successor. The Sealed Card brings the original anime series to a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion, and it finds Sakura facing off against The Nothing, the last Clow Card.

Similar to the show, the movie blends action, humor, drama, and romance; also like the series, The Sealed Card balances all of these genres effortlessly, crafting an experience that feels complete. Obviously, this movie should only be watched after the series, as it by no means attempts to tell a standalone story.

Kaguya-sama: Love is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-

MyAnimeList: 8.73

One of the most beloved comedy and romance anime of all time, Kaguya-sama needs no introduction at this point. Released after the third season, The First Kiss That Never Ends is a slightly weird case since it is split into four episodes on Crunchyroll, despite originally being released as a movie. While cohesive enough, the release covers a few short-ish storylines that, ultimately, create a rather episodic experience, albeit one that is constantly engaging.

Although not devoid of humor, The First Kiss That Never Ends is certainly more dramatic than the seasons, particularly arcs that focus on Kaguya and Shinomiya's backstories. The Ice Kaguya arc is particularly great and a high point for Kaguya-sama as a whole.

One Piece: Stampede

MyAnimeList: 8.19

Along with a few specials that are movies in everything but name, Crunchyroll has three proper One Piece films: Gold, Stampede, and Red. The most recent cinematic entries in the franchise, all three titles are likely to hit the mark with long-time fans, and they offer different experiences in their own right.

Gold follows the classic One Piece formula to a T. The Straw Hats wind up on a new island/hub that initially seems great but proves to be anything but. They suffer a major loss at roughly the halfway mark, forcing them to regroup and come back stronger than ever for the climax. Gold shakes things up slightly by taking place in Gran Tesoro, a country that is basically one giant casino; however, it otherwise sticks to the standard formula. If it works, why change it? While not reaching the heights of Strong World or Z, Gold is enjoyable.

One Piece Film: Red tells a more personal story, one that links back to Luffy's past with Shanks. Unlike most features, Red connects quite well to the manga and anime series, making it feel purposeful and important rather than just a filler arc with a bigger budget. The animation is unsurprisingly great, and Uta is one of the better movie-based characters in the franchise; that said, Red is not as exciting or action-packed as some of the other One Piece films.

Finally, there is One Piece: Stampede, a blockbuster that assembles many familiar faces as they duke it out in search of a prize. Despite not being the final film, Stampede feels like the ultimate celebration of One Piece's legacy, and that goes beyond just the story's festival setting. The cast of characters is huge, far bigger than any other movie in the series. Although not devoid of plot elements, the flick largely consists of one endless fight sequence with a few moments of respite. While this can make for an exhausting watch at times, Stampede delivers perhaps the best action in the entire franchise, both in terms of animation and choreography. All One Piece films are for die-hard fans, but this entry feels 100% made for just them.

Given The Movie

MyAnimeList: 8.12

A follow-up to 2019's brilliant Given series, this one-hour movie shifts the focus away from Mafuyu Satou and Ritsuka Uenoyama toward Haruki Nakayama and Akihiko Kaji. Similar to the show, the feature's story centers around grief, loss, and the importance of moving on, this time from a failed relationship rather than a death.

Given's short length limits its potential, the film not only builds on the series but also makes the most out of every minute. Anyone who sits through the series should make a point to watch the movie immediately after. It is mandatory viewing.

Given The Movie: Hiiragi Mix is also quite good, and the movie focuses a bit more on Hiiragi and Shizusumi's relationship.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0

MyAnimeList: 8.41

Jujutsu Kaisen's prequel started life as Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical School, a manga that would eventually lead to Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen. While set in the same universe, the latter can be appreciated without consuming Jujutsu Kaisen 0; however, fans would be missing out as the movie (and its manga) are arguably just as good, if not better than their sequels.

A high school student, Yuta Okkotsu has to live with the spirit of his friend, Rika Orimoto. One day, the protagonist meets Satoru Gojo, who offers to enroll him in a school designed to teach people how to control their spirits. This meeting starts Yuta on a path to becoming a sorcerer.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

MyAnimeList: 8.38

Based on Seiko Tanabe's short story, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish combines a few familiar ingredients to create an enjoyable, sweet, and grounded romantic drama. The core dynamic revolves around Tsuneo and Josee, and their relationship goes on quite a journey. The former is hired as a caretaker for the latter, who is wheelchair-bound and has rarely left her grandmother's house. While they are roughly the same ages, their pasts, presents, and futures are wildly different, and Josee initially takes out her frustrations on Tsuneo. Honestly, she can be a touch unlikable at first, although it is fairly easy to sympathize with her situation.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish improves significantly once Tsuneo and Josee's relationship starts to blossom, resulting in one of the best romance anime movies of the last decade or so. While most lighthearted, the story has its share of heavy moments that inject a dose of realism to counter the more whimsical sequences. On a technical level, the animation is gorgeous throughout the movie.

KonoSuba: God's Blessing On This Wonderful World! Legend Of Crimson

MyAnimeList: 8.42

Need a good laugh? If the answer is yes, then KonoSuba is the anime to watch. After receiving a letter, Kazuma and his party make the journey to Megumin's hometown, a trip that naturally sparks a series of awkward but hilarious situations.

Legend of Crimson is a bit more action-driven than the two anime seasons, a change stemming from the film's plot having more direction compared to the gag-based scenarios usually explored by the episodes. That said, Legend of Crimson is KonoSuba through and through.

Sword Of The Stranger

MyAnimeList: 8.25

Alongside Ninja Scroll, Sword of the Stranger is arguably the definitive samurai anime movie. Set during the Sengoku era, the story follows a child named Kotaro who is trying to avoid a sacrificial end at the hands of the Ming Dynasty. The boy's journey leads him directly into the path of Nanashi, a swordsman aimlessly drifting through the country. Eventually, Kotaro convinces Nanashi to serve as his bodyguard as they journey toward a temple.

Sword of the Stranger's fights are works of art, delivering smooth animation and visceral action. They are worth the figurative price of admission on their own, but they are merely one component of a great package that includes an immersive setting and lovable main characters.

Laid-Back Camp: The Movie

MyAnimeList: 8.39

Laid-Back Camp has announced a third season, providing slice of life fans with a big reason to celebrate. In 2022, the series went on a surprising detour as it dropped a movie that jumps forward years to when the girls are adults. As this story is an anime original, the film can be treated as a side adventure that presents a look into a future that could potentially await Rin, Nadeshiko, and company.

Even though it is not based on the manga, Laid-Back Camp: The Movie absolutely nails the show's tone, charm, and warmth. The characters are just as lovable as adults as they are as teenagers, and their growth completely fits their histories and personalities.

Trigun: Badlands Rumble

MyAnimeList: 7.90

Madhouse's Trigun is a classic in every sense of the word. The '90s show has aged well in most areas, be it animation, characters, (some of the) humor, or action. And, it ended on a satisfying note that did not require further expansion. Coming out roughly a decade later, Badlands Rumble tells a filler story that is the definition of non-essential; that said, it is still a fun ride that presents fans with another opportunity to spend time within this universe.

Honestly, this movie is just for die-hard fans of the original. Beyond pretty good animation and some kinetic action sequences, newcomers will likely be overwhelmed by the story's hectic pace and the characters' chaotic presentation. For the latter, Badlands Rumble introduces a few fresh faces who, while not terrible, distract from the core four who defined Trigun's success. The film's version of Vash comes across as a caricature at times, which does diminish the overall experience.

The Boy And The Beast

MyAnimeList: 8.23

All of Mamoru Hosoda's movies are, at the bare minimum, watchable, and the director's best projects are masterpieces. While falling short of the latter category, The Boy and the Beast regularly flirts with greatness, even if it suffers from some pacing issues. Finding himself alone, the young Ren follows a monster, Kumatetsu, into the Beast Kingdom, where he eventually becomes the latter's pupil. Despite constantly fighting and seemingly hating each other, the two wind up living together for a number of years, steadily intensifying their bond in the process. Eventually, Ren returns to the human world and starts to form a few connections, and things get complicated from here.

Unsurprisingly, The Boy and the Beast's animation is brilliant and identifiable. The story is at its strongest when focusing on Ren and Kumatetsu's relationship, which unfortunately takes a backseat during the movie's second half. Still, the film's high points are very high.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly

MyAnimeList: 8.19

Crunchyroll serves Dragon Ball fans well as the streaming service has nearly the full franchise, and that includes 16 movies that used to be fairly difficult to get a hold of. The classic Dragon Ball movies are glorified specials rather than full-blown features, but releases like Cooler's Revenge and Fusion Reborn are definitely worth a watch. In the 2010s, Dragon Ball made a comeback in the form of Battle of Gods, which is not on Crunchyroll. However, all three of its movie sequels are on the platform, and they are generally just as good as their missing predecessor. Out of the four post-return movies, Dragon Ball Super: Broly is comfortably the best and most cinematic. At the time of its debut, the film felt like a genuine event, more so than pretty much any other movie in the series.

As the title suggests, the story focuses on Broly, a powerful Saiyan who is manipulated by his father to seek revenge against Vegeta. The antagonist's backstory is handled well, and the character is fairly sympathetic while always coming across as a significant threat to the Z Warriors. Dragon Ball lives and dies on the strength of its fight sequences, and Broly hits the mark in this area. Every battle has a unique flavor and is bolstered by great animation.

Saga Of Tanya The Evil: The Movie

MyAnimeList: 8.23

Isekai anime are both very popular and acquired tastes, to the point that most people tend to either love or hate these types of stories. In many ways, Saga of Tanya the Evil offers a relatively conventional take on the genre, including a pretty OP protagonist who is generally smarter and stronger than nearly every other character. However, the story sets itself apart from the crowd by taking place in a war-ridden world that is heavily inspired by World War One, along with focusing on a conflict that incorporates technology and magic. Also, a petty deity forces the protagonist to be reborn as a little girl, motivating the latter to set out to destroy the former.

For the most part, Saga of Tanya The Evil: The Movie maintains the same standard as the series, albeit with a higher budget offered by a feature project. The animation is generally fantastic, and this sequel comes across as a proper movie rather than a glorified special. More importantly, the story introduces Mary Sioux as the central antagonist, depicting her as essentially a saint to counteract the devilish Tanya. The TV series lacks a proper rival that can match the protagonist, and the movie fixes that shortcoming.

Black Butler: Book Of The Atlantic

MyAnimeList: 8.24

Has there ever been an anime that walks the line between silliness and seriousness as well as Black Butler? Drenched in Victorian Gothic imagery and touching upon themes of revenge, obsession, and mortality, the series is a dark fantasy epic that just happens to center around a self-serious 13-year-old protagonist. Ciel and his demon butler, Sebastian, have been through their share of mysteries at the behest of the Queen, and Book of the Atlantic finds the pair embarking on a long aquatic voyage to investigate reports of necromancy. Before long, the expedition turns deadly, and a few other familiar faces might be involved.

Putting aside the anime-only sequel season, Black Butler has been consistently entertaining over the years, and Book of the Atlantic is not an exception. The storyline benefits from the movie's higher production value, allowing for a cinematic presentation that blossoms beautifully towards the end of the journey. The core mystery is fairly interesting and ties well into the rest of the story, even including a few significant reveals (Book of the Atlantic is canon, unlike most shonen feature films).

As fun as this flick is, Book of the Atlantic should not be watched in isolation. It is a sequel to Black Butler, Book of Circus, and Book of Murder. The former two are available on Crunchyroll, although the latter 2-part OVA is not.

City Hunter Movies

MyAnimeList: 7.33 (Bay City Wars)

City Hunter is a manga and anime classic that was particularly popular during the late '80s and early '90s. While somewhat forgotten in this day and age, the anime holds up pretty well, all things considered. Crunchyroll has the full series, including every movie except the 2023 one; combined, City Hunter should be able to keep someone entertained for a few weeks.

Ryo Saeba is a private detective with an accurate shot and a tendency to fall for every girl he meets. The movies tell standalone stories, but they also expect the audience to be somewhat familiar with the main roster of characters. While nothing too amazing, the City Hunter movies are enjoyable action comedies that are fun fluff to throw on during a Tuesday evening.

The Stranger By The Shore

MyAnimeList: 7.83

One day, Mio Chibana and Shun Hashimoto meet on a beach, and they have instant chemistry. While they are anxious around each other at first, they quickly find themselves striking a natural rapport that helps both of them grow as people. However, their meeting is short-lived, and it takes another three years for them to meet up. The Stranger by the Shore primarily focuses on their secondary meeting as both characters come to accept their genuine love for each other, a journey that requires them to face past trauma that left them lonely and insecure.

Clocking in at less than an hour, this 2020 movie accomplishes a lot in its short runtime without feeling rushed. Ultimately, this boys' love anime is a character study that thoroughly explores Mio and Shun as both individuals and partners. The film also has gorgeous animation and plenty of beautiful naturalistic environments.

Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple

MyAnimeList: 7.92

Bungo Stray Dogs has been consistently great. Luckily for anime fans, Crunchyroll has the entire series in its library, including 2018's Dead Apple movie. Following the second season, the film finds the Armed Detective Agency facing a massive threat as a fog descends on Yokohama that causes abilities to take physical form. Naturally, this spreads chaos across the city, and things become even more complicated when Dazai seems to join forces with the people behind the act.

Dead Apple has splendid action and good animation, which is to be expected of a Bones production. However, the movie's greatest strength is its character development, particularly concerning Atsushi. The story forces the latter to confront his past in a more direct way than ever before, and the ensuing growth greatly enhances his character.

Robot Carnival

MyAnimeList: 7.24

A celebration of '80s anime and its future, Robot Carnival is an anthology OVA consisting of nine shorts, each directed by an up-and-coming voice. The segments are connected through the common theme of "robot," but similarities start and end there as each story sets out to do its own thing. This goes beyond just the narratives, since Robot Carnival also highlights different animation styles, most of which still look impressive all these decades later.

More importantly, pretty much all the shorts are memorable in their own ways, be it Deprive's thrilling action or Chicken Man and Red Neck's nightmare fuel. A technical showcase, Robot Carnival is a gem and one of the best anime movies on Crunchyroll.

Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom

MyAnimeList: 7.76

Here is another anime movie that can only be recommended to people who have watched three and a half seasons of a series. Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom is mostly in line with the show's quality, delivering mostly good animation while telling a dark fantasy story that follows the rise of a big bad.

Overlord's reputation is fairly mixed, as seasons 2 and 3 were fairly inconsistent; however, season 4 is the best entry in the series so far, and The Sacred Kingdom fits nicely into that run. If you enjoyed the story's full-blown shift towards kingdom building, this film continues down that direction, and the film highlights Ainz's manipulative nature and the anime's underrated talent for humor.

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, Heroes Rising, & You're Next

MyAnimeList: 7.52 (Two Heroes); 7.93 (Heroes Rising); 7.51 (You're Next)

If a shonen anime is popular enough, it will receive a couple of movies, most of which tend to be filler and do not impact the core narrative. Two Heroes somewhat bucks that trend by being canon with My Hero Academia's continuity, even though it tells an "event of the week" style story with limited relevance to Deku's overall journey. Like so many battle shonen movies, Two Heroes essentially condenses a standard MHA arc into less than two hours, serving as something of a greatest-hits collection that benefits from a bumped-up budget. While far from amazing, this side story is pretty entertaining in its own right, particularly an early section that showcases a young All-Might in the United States. The present-day plot is fairly forgettable, but it does have a unique island setting and moves at a fairly quick pace once the action gets going.

Released in 2019, Heroes Rising is another movie that, for the most part, feels like a secondary adventure that can easily be skipped. However, this film is superior to Two Heroes, especially since the story gives more characters a chance to shine than its predecessor. The villains are nothing too special, which is somewhat of a standard issue with the MHA movies, but they are inoffensive at the very least.

You're Next is arguably the weakest MHA movie, but it is another watchable action fest.

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

MyAnimeList: 7.78

Written by Mamoru Oshii and directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is visually stunning, and it serves as a demonstration of cel-shaded animation's timelessness. The film takes place during the 1950s and envisions an alternate reality where Germany won World War 2 and is now occupying Japan. To keep the public in line, the regime utilizes a terrifying Panzer corps that largely follow instructions without question, regardless of how vile they are. However, one day, a soldier (Kazuki Fuse) defies a kill order.

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade moves at a measured pace, prioritizing atmosphere and character moments over intense action. Consequently, the film can feel frustratingly long at times, particularly during its second act, but there is still a lot to love and appreciate here.

Psycho-Pass: The Movie & Providence

MyAnimeList: 7.69 (The Movie); 7.65 (Providence)

Psycho-Pass has a strange reputation. Season 1 is rightfully regarded as a masterpiece and one of the best anime sci-fi thrillers of all time. While leaving quite a few loose ends, the story works well enough in a vacuum that there is no real reason to watch any sequels, especially since none of them come close to reaching season 1's quality. Seasons 2 and 3 are watchable enough, but they struggle significantly to replace Shinya (and later Akane).

Psycho-Pass: The Movie and Providence arguably do a better job of capturing season 1's magic, as they wisely focus on Shinya and Akane. Visually, they are gorgeous and a step-up from the TV version. The mysteries/stories are not all that strong, but the movies are quite character-driven, so they shine in that area.

Honestly, I would not describe either of the films as "must-watch," and I would recommend keeping expectations relatively low. However, like the sequel seasons, the Psycho-Pass movies are generally decent.

Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Re;surrection

MyAnimeList: 7.90

Even though season 2 has grown slightly divisive over the years, Code Geass' original conclusion is largely considered to be a triumph, if not downright one of the best endings in anime history. Consequently, Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection retconning the story's final beat was risky, although the movie wisely opted to present itself as an alternate reality rather than a genuine continuation. As such, Re;surrection is not a must-watch for fans of the series since nothing that happens means anything; that said, the experience is still enjoyable.

C.C. Revives Lelouch out of love, a process that dominates most of the film's first half. As the story moves on, the focus shifts to a conflict with the Kingdom of Zilkhstan, specifically its queen. Neither plot thread is especially complex or nuanced, but they lead to a few memorable action sequences and some touching moments between Lelouch and C.C.

Black Jack: The Movie

MyAnimeList: 7.33

Osamu Tezuka's classic Black Jack manga has been adapted into live-action films, anime series, OVAs, and a couple of animated features. Aside from the original manga, 1996's Black Jack: The Movie is probably the best starting point for newcomers to the franchise, although the 2004 series is also strong.

Relatively self-contained, the film does a good job of establishing the eponymous doctor's personality and motives, while also delivering an engaging story that mixes medical jargon with a touch of humanity. Regardless of whether someone is already familiar with Tezuka's property or is experiencing Black Jack for the first time, they are likely to have fun with this movie.

Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie

MyAnimeList: 7.17

While the upcoming flick might have something to say about it, Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie is currently the best film in Capcom's franchise. Frankly, I would argue it is the only good Street Fighter movie, in the sense that it tries to adapt the games rather than doing something entirely different while throwing in a few of the characters. Although nothing to write home about story-wise, the film shines in the areas that really matter: animation and action.

Seriously, Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie looks fantastic and has aged really well in this department, as long as you enjoy classic animation. The fight sequences serve as impressive showcases for a wide assortment of iconic Capcom characters, and they make the film worth watching on their own.

Bayonetta: Bloody Fate

MyAnimeList: 6.64

OK, I have to admit that your mileage with this anime movie comes down entirely to your love for PlatinumGames' Bayonetta, specifically the first game in the series. If you are a big fan of character-action hack-and-slash games, like I am, then Bayonetta is likely one of your all-time favorites, and you might cherish the thought of spending more time within this universe and with these characters. Bayonetta: Bloody Fate expects audiences to be familiar with the basic plot, and it has very little to offer complete newcomers beyond a few decent action sequences. Bayonetta tends to prefer a chaotic storytelling style that, at times, can be pretty difficult to follow, although its appeal is simple: an awesome witch demolishes angels with style and confidence.

Bloody Fate is not a straightforward retelling of the original game's plot, but rather a reimagining that goes in a few different directions. For die-hard fans, this direction is fantastic, as they will get something new rather than spruced-up cutscenes; however, the anime is straight-up impenetrable for non-fans. Personally, I had fun with it, but I don't think it is among Gonzo's best work either. The animation is mostly solid, all the while still looking like a budget production. The CG is not great and, at times, takes away from the movie.