Japanese animation, widely recognized as “anime,” has seen a meteoric rise in global popularity, particularly since the early 1990s. This cultural phenomenon has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, with iconic series like Naruto and One Piece becoming household names. Anime movies, in particular, have enjoyed significant box office success, showcasing the immense talent and creativity of Japanese filmmakers.
The Magic of Anime Movies: A Global Phenomenon
Studio Ghibli, the celebrated animation studio, has played a crucial role in bringing the enchanting world of anime to international audiences. With visually stunning and emotionally resonant films, Ghibli has paved the way for other Japanese directors to share their stories on the big screen. From One Piece Film: Red to Spirited Away, here are the highest-grossing anime movies of all time.
1. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020)
Worldwide Earnings: $503,063,688
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train continues the adventures of Tanjiro and his friends as they face a powerful demon aboard a train. The film’s success, grossing over $503 million worldwide, can be attributed to its stunning animation, gripping action sequences, and the popularity of the Demon Slayer series.
2. Spirited Away (2001)
Worldwide Earnings: $383,883,823
Spirited Away follows a young girl who enters a world of spirits and must find her way back home. Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece is one of the most cherished anime movies, earning nearly $384 million worldwide and winning an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
3. Your Name (2016)
Worldwide Earnings: $347,641,192
In Your Name, two teenagers swap bodies and embark on a journey to find each other. Makoto Shinkai’s highest-grossing film combines romance, comedy, and action, earning over $347 million worldwide. Its beautiful animation and engaging story have made it a favorite among anime fans.
4. Suzume (2022)
Worldwide Earnings: $316,848,245
Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume tells the story of a 17-year-old girl who helps close doors causing havoc across Japan. The film’s blend of romance, fantasy, and adventure, along with its striking visuals, have made it a box office hit, grossing over $316 million globally.
5. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Worldwide Earnings: $294,217,033
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron follows young Mahito as he discovers a hidden world during WWII. The film’s powerful storytelling and stunning animation have made it a critical and financial success, earning over $294 million worldwide.
6. The First Slam Dunk (2023)
Worldwide Earnings: $279,892,281
The First Slam Dunk centers around 17-year-old Ryota Miyagi’s journey to become a top basketball player, fulfilling his late brother’s dream. With intense action scenes and a compelling narrative, the film has quickly become one of the highest-grossing anime movies, earning nearly $280 million.
7. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Worldwide Earnings: $237,814,327
Howl’s Moving Castle follows a young woman cursed with an old body who seeks the help of a self-indulgent wizard living in a magical moving castle. Hayao Miyazaki’s enchanting film, with its themes of compassion and family, has captivated audiences and earned nearly $238 million worldwide.
8. Ponyo (2008)
Worldwide Earnings: $205,162,666
Ponyo, a Studio Ghibli classic, tells the story of a young boy who befriends a goldfish princess longing to become human. The film’s stunning visuals and touching narrative about the environment and love have made it a beloved anime movie, grossing over $205 million globally.
9. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021)
Worldwide Earnings: $196,308,703
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 serves as a prequel to the Jujutsu Kaisen series, following high school student Yuta Okkotsu as he learns to control a powerful cursed spirit. The film’s intense action scenes and well-crafted narrative have made it a favorite among anime fans, earning nearly $200 million worldwide.
10. Weathering With You (2020)
Worldwide Earnings: $192,822,685
Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering With You is a fantasy anime movie about a high school boy who befriends an orphan girl capable of controlling the weather. The film’s heartwarming story, stunning animation, and exploration of themes like family and sacrifice have made it a critical and commercial success.
11. Stand by Me Doraemon (2014)
Worldwide Earnings: $183,442,714
Stand by Me Doraemon adapts key moments from the beloved Doraemon series into a beautifully stylized 3D animation. The film chronicles the friendship between Doraemon, a robot cat from the future, and Nobita Nobi. Its emotional narrative and visual appeal have made it the highest-grossing film in the Doraemon franchise.
12. One Piece Film: Red (2022)
Worldwide Earnings: $171,319,579
One Piece Film: Red focuses on Uta, a renowned singer revealed to be the daughter of a famous pirate. The film’s stunning artwork and engaging story have made it one of the highest-grossing anime films, earning over $171 million worldwide. The continued popularity of the One Piece series and its new television adaptation have contributed to its success.
13. Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (1999)
Worldwide Earnings: $163,644,662
Pokémon: The First Movie features Ash and his friends facing off against Mewtwo, a powerful genetic Pokémon with a grudge against humanity. The film’s success can be attributed to the global “Poke-mania” of the ’90s, as fans flocked to theaters to see their favorite characters on the big screen.
14. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Worldwide Earnings: $159,414,369
Princess Mononoke, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a beautifully animated epic set in a world of gods and humans. The story follows Ashitaka, a prince cursed by a demonized boar god, as he navigates a power struggle between forest creatures and humans. The film was a massive hit in Japan and introduced many international audiences to Studio Ghibli’s work.
15. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
Worldwide Earnings: $151,496,097
Based on the classic English novel, The Secret World of Arrietty follows a family of miniature people living secretly in a human home. The discovery of Arrietty by a human boy threatens their existence. Studio Ghibli’s enchanting animation and storytelling, combined with the timeless charm of the original story, made this film a critical and financial success.
16. The Wind Rises (2013)
Worldwide Earnings: $136,864,780
Studio Ghibli’s The Wind Rises is a biographical film about aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi, who designed fighter aircraft for Japan during WWII. The movie explores themes of responsibility, sacrifice, and the pursuit of dreams. Hayao Miyazaki’s beautifully animated and thought-provoking film has earned over $136 million worldwide, captivating audiences with its emotionally rich narrative.
17. Pokémon the Movie 2000 (1999)
Worldwide Earnings: $133,949,270
In Pokémon the Movie 2000, Ash Ketchum and his friends travel to the Orange Islands, where they must stop collector Lawrence III from capturing legendary Pokémon. The movie’s engaging narrative, epic action scenes, and stunning animation helped it gross over $130 million globally. The enduring popularity of Pokémon characters and their world continues to captivate audiences of all ages.
18. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
Worldwide Earnings: $115,750,445
Dragon Ball Super: Broly centers on a powerful Saiyan warrior exiled to a distant planet. Goku and Vegeta face off against Broly, resulting in epic battles that are a hallmark of the Dragon Ball series. The film’s success is driven by its dedicated fanbase, impressive animation, and action-packed scenes. The return of popular characters and the introduction of Broly contributed to its worldwide earnings of over $115 million.
19. Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (2018)
Worldwide Earnings: $101,860,359
Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer follows the titular character as he investigates an explosion at a Tokyo resort and convention center. This film adds depth to Zero’s character while delivering high-quality visuals and an intricate, suspenseful storyline. The movie’s success can be attributed to its engaging plot, stunning animation, evocative soundtrack, and the strong fanbase of the Detective Conan series.
20. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)
Worldwide Earnings: $93,882,453
The final installment in the Rebuild of Evangelion series, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, is a reimagining of the 1995 show Neon Genesis Evangelion. It picks up from where Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo left off, depicting a world on the brink of extinction as Shinji and his friends strive to prevent the Fourth Impact. This anime movie stands out for its strong animation, visual effects, and a powerful soundtrack by Shiro Sagisu. It offers a satisfying closure to the series, delving into themes of human connection and trauma.
Conclusion
These top-grossing anime films highlight the incredible talent and creativity within the Japanese animation industry. With their captivating stories, stunning visuals, and memorable characters, these movies have not only achieved remarkable financial success but have also left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or new to the genre, these films are a testament to the power and beauty of anime storytelling.
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