Top 5 Best Anime Movies, According to Rotten Tomatoes

In recent years, anime films have become a major force at the global box office. Popular franchises such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer have successfully transitioned from television to theaters, giving fans a chance to experience their favorite stories on a much grander cinematic scale.

• 5 Best Movies to Watch When You’re Feeling Down

While titles like One Piece Film Red and Violet Evergarden The Movie are also highly praised, they narrowly miss the top five, ranking sixth and seventh on this list. What sets the highest rated films apart is their ability to go beyond simple adaptations. Movies such as Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Demon Slayer Mugen Train, and The First Slam Dunk deliver original perspectives, deeper emotional impact, and animation quality that clearly surpasses their television counterparts.

Below are the five highest rated anime movies from major franchises, based on scores from Rotten Tomatoes.

1. The First Slam Dunk

Released in 2022, The First Slam Dunk surprised longtime fans by shifting its narrative focus away from Hanamichi Sakuragi. Instead, the film tells its story through the eyes of Ryota Miyagi, the quick witted and determined point guard of Shohoku High.

The movie explores Ryota’s painful past, his struggles with loss, and his determination to overcome doubt and prejudice in order to prove his worth on the court. Visually, the film stands out for its innovative blend of 3D animation and hand drawn line work, creating dynamic and immersive basketball sequences that feel both modern and faithful to the original manga.

Supported by a powerful soundtrack and an emotionally resonant script, The First Slam Dunk earned a perfect 100 percent critic score and a 99 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many critics have hailed it as one of the greatest anime films ever made.

2. Jujutsu Kaisen 0

Released in late 2021, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 serves as a prequel to the main Jujutsu Kaisen series. The film centers on Yuta Okkotsu, a troubled teenager haunted by the cursed spirit of his childhood friend.

More than just an origin story, the movie expands the lore of the jujutsu world while delivering a heartfelt narrative about grief, friendship, and self acceptance. It also introduces key characters who later become fan favorites, deepening the emotional stakes of the franchise as a whole.

Animated by Studio MAPPA, the film features meticulously choreographed battles, fluid animation, and sharp visual direction. With a 98 percent score from both critics and audiences, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 stands as one of the strongest action supernatural anime films of the modern era.

3. Demon Slayer Mugen Train

Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie Mugen Train continues the story directly after the first season of the television series. Tanjiro and his companions board the mysterious Mugen Train to investigate a series of disappearances linked to a powerful demon.

The film seamlessly blends intense action with deeply emotional storytelling, focusing on themes of sacrifice, duty, and the pain of loss. Its climactic battles are widely regarded as some of the most visually impressive scenes in anime cinema.

With a 98 percent Tomatometer score and a 99 percent audience rating, Mugen Train became a cultural phenomenon. Grossing over 500 million dollars worldwide, it held the record as the highest grossing anime film of all time upon release and played a major role in turning Demon Slayer into a global sensation.

4. My Hero Academia Heroes Rising

Released in 2019, My Hero Academia Heroes Rising is the second theatrical film in the franchise. The story places Class 1 A on a remote island, where they are forced to confront a powerful villain without the direct support of professional heroes.

The film shines by deepening the bonds between the students while emphasizing themes of teamwork, responsibility, and the true meaning of heroism. It also delivers several emotionally charged moments that push the characters to their limits.

Featuring vibrant animation and high energy action sequences, Heroes Rising earned a 92 percent critic score and an impressive 98 percent audience rating. Many fans consider it the strongest My Hero Academia film to date.

5. Dragon Ball Super Broly

Released in 2018, Dragon Ball Super Broly officially brought the legendary Super Saiyan Broly into the main Dragon Ball canon. Previously considered a non canon character, Broly is reintroduced with a richer backstory and emotional depth.

The film explores the history of the Saiyan race, introduces Goku’s mother Gine, and further develops the complex relationship between Goku, Vegeta, and Broly. While packed with explosive battles and iconic transformations, the story also invites sympathy for Broly’s tragic upbringing.

With an 84 percent critic score and a 92 percent audience score, Dragon Ball Super Broly is widely viewed as a successful modernization of the long running franchise and a standout entry in Dragon Ball’s cinematic history.

These films demonstrate how anime movies can elevate beloved franchises through cinematic storytelling, emotional depth, and top tier animation. For both longtime fans and newcomers, they represent the very best that anime cinema has to offer.