30 Best Anime Films of the 2020s (So Far) You Absolutely Must Watch
The 2020s have been a gift for anime fans. We have seen bold original stories, long awaited returns from legends, and big screen spinoffs that actually deliver. From breathtaking fantasy adventures to grounded slice of life gems, animation has pushed style and emotion in fresh directions while still honoring the spirit that drew many of us in the first place.
This list gathers films that are easy to love and even easier to recommend. Some are massive crowd pleasers, others feel like quiet discoveries that linger. All of them show what makes anime cinema special right now. Queue a few for your next movie night and let the credits roll with a happy sigh.
‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)
This dreamlike journey feels both intimate and grand, with a young boy stepping through strange doors and finding a messy and beautiful world that mirrors grief and growth. The images have a hand drawn warmth, and every scene breathes with patient wonder.
You come for the striking creatures and stay for the tenderness beneath them. The film balances mystery and clarity in a way that invites reflection, and it lands with the calm confidence of a master at work.
‘Suzume’ (2022)
A teen on a road trip to close magical doors sounds playful, and it is, but the story also carries deep feeling about loss and community. The music soars, the landscapes glow, and the pacing sweeps you along.
What makes it stick is the gentle humor and the steady courage of its lead. It leaves you thinking about everyday acts of care and how they can steady a shaken heart.
‘Belle’ (2021)
This modern fairy tale spins a virtual world into a heartfelt stage for a shy singer who discovers her voice. Concert set pieces shimmer with color, while quieter scenes settle into tender beats about friendship and truth.
It is a story about masks and the people behind them. By the end, the film finds a sweet balance between spectacle and vulnerability that feels honest and kind.
‘Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train’ (2020)
Action fans get a feast here, with kinetic battles that move like flowing calligraphy. The characters bounce off one another with easy charm, which makes the stakes feel real when danger intensifies.
The final act hits hard with bravery and loss side by side. It is a rare blockbuster that earns both cheers and tears without losing its steady pulse.
‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ (2021)
This prequel welcomes newcomers while giving fans deeper threads to tug on. The fights are crisp, the curses are creepy, and the humor cuts the tension at just the right moments.
At its heart is a tender story about love and acceptance. That core gives weight to every spell and every choice, making the finale feel both cathartic and warm.
‘The First Slam Dunk’ (2022)
The court action has a grounded rhythm that makes every pivot and pass feel meaningful. The film takes time to know its players, letting backstory inform every shot.
Even if you do not follow sports, the emotional payoff lands. It is about persistence, trust, and the thrill of a group moving in sync toward something bigger than any one person.
‘Blue Giant’ (2023)
Few films capture music with this much pulse. You can almost feel the sax vibrate as the trio chases a sound that keeps slipping just out of reach.
The story treats practice and failure with respect. Watching these friends push through doubt becomes its own kind of concert, quiet and rousing all at once.
‘Lonely Castle in the Mirror’ (2022)
A fairy tale doorway leads to a refuge for kids who feel out of place. The castle is full of secrets, but the film never loses sight of small comforts like shared lunches and honest talk.
The reveal ties everything together with a gentle touch. It is a compassionate look at isolation and the ways kindness can change a day.
‘Violet Evergarden: The Movie’ (2020)
Letters become bridges in this lush continuation that brings closure with grace. The lighting is soft, the animation detailed, and the pacing unhurried.
It treats healing as a series of tiny steps rather than a single leap. By the end, the emotion feels earned, and the silence between words says as much as any line.
‘Josee, the Tiger and the Fish’ (2020)
A warm romance grows between two people learning how to trust their own dreams. The art pops with color, shifting from cozy rooms to dazzling water scenes.
The film avoids easy fixes. It celebrates patience, respect, and the courage to ask for help, and that makes every small victory glow.
‘Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop’ (2020)
This is a sun bright story about two shy souls who find a shared rhythm through poetry and music. The graphic style uses bold shapes and cheerful palettes that feel like summer.
Beneath the pop charm sits a tender message about listening. It reminds you that a simple kind word can open a door that felt forever shut.
‘A Whisker Away’ (2020)
A girl slips into the life of a cat and discovers the messy joy and risk of living honestly. The magical twists feel playful, while the human moments carry real weight.
It is a sweet tale about empathy. Seeing others clearly begins with seeing yourself, and the film makes that lesson feel gentle and true.
‘Drifting Home’ (2022)
An abandoned building becomes an island at sea, turning a childhood haunt into a voyage of memory. The visual play with water and light is a steady delight.
The kids argue, laugh, and forgive in ways that feel real. The story honors the way friendships change without losing what made them matter.
‘Bubble’ (2022)
Gravity bends and parkour becomes a dance over flooded streets. The action is balletic, and the romance builds with light, airy grace.
It is a sleek, stylish mood piece that invites you to float. When it touches down, it does so softly, with a hint of longing that lingers.
‘The Deer King’ (2021)
A stoic survivor and a curious child cross a land caught between power and plague. The world feels lived in, with textured forests and rugged towns.
What shines is the bond that grows in quiet moments. The film values tenderness as much as strength, and it leaves space for both.
‘Goodbye, Don Glees!’ (2021)
A small adventure spirals into a heartfelt look at friendship and the paths we choose. The countryside glows, and the pacing gives big emotions room to breathe.
It captures that turning point when childhood tilts toward something new. The ending feels like a hug, warm and a little bittersweet.
‘Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway’ (2021)
This entry carries a mature tone with political tension and intricate cityscapes. Night battles cut through the skyline with sharp clarity.
The character work grounds the spectacle. Choices have consequences, and the film treats that truth with a steady, thoughtful hand.
‘Psycho-Pass: Providence’ (2023)
A tight thriller pulls the cast into a web of secrets that connects past and present. The tech noir look is sleek without losing texture.
Fans will appreciate how threads weave into a single clear line. Newcomers can enjoy a smart, tense ride that respects their attention.
‘One Piece Film Red’ (2022)
Big songs, big laughs, and a big heart power this concert shaped adventure. The crew energy is as lively as ever, and the set pieces are pure joy.
Under the glitter sits a story about connection and choice. It leaves you smiling and humming on the way out.
‘Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’ (2022)
The film embraces a bold CG look while keeping the punchy spirit that fans love. Fights snap with playful timing and crowd pleasing surprises.
It is light on its feet and heavy on charm. The focus on family gives the final stretch a warm glow.
‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-‘ (2022)
Romance and comedy lock into a gentle winter groove that feels cozy and sincere. The humor stays sharp, but the film lets vulnerability take the lead.
It is about learning to say what matters without hiding behind games. The result feels honest and sweet in a way that lasts.
‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie Scarlet Bond’ (2022)
This adventure expands the world with a new country and a complicated bond that tests loyalty. The action is flashy and fun, and the side cast gets nice moments.
It also finds time for heartfelt beats about trust and duty. The balance keeps things breezy without losing meaning.
‘Sword Art Online the Movie – Progressive – Aria of a Starless Night (2021)
Early floors of a deadly game become a fresh stage for character focused storytelling. The fights are crisp, and the sense of exploration feels inviting.
By centering a familiar duo in a new light, the film creates a warm entry point. It treats courage as a quiet daily choice, and that lands well.
‘Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine’ (2023)
A high tech facility, a locked room mystery, and a race against time give this outing a tight snap. Gadgets sparkle, and the sea setting adds steady tension.
The clues are fair, and the payoff satisfies. It is a clean, clever puzzle wrapped in brisk action.
‘Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle’ (2024)
Rival teams collide in a match that feels like destiny. The film captures the rhythm of serve and receive with thrilling clarity.
Every play tells a story about pride and growth. The final rally leaves your heart pounding in the best way.
‘Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom’ (2024)
This continuation delivers soaring mecha action and heartfelt reunions. The music swells, the suits shine, and the drama hits classic beats with confidence.
It celebrates bonds that hold through conflict. Longtime viewers will feel seen, and newcomers can ride the sweep.
‘Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna’ (2020)
Growing up means change, and this goodbye letter handles that truth with care. Nostalgia is present, but it never overwhelms the present moment.
The action serves the emotion rather than the other way around. When the credits roll, the feeling is tender and complete.
‘Eureka: Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution’ (2021)
A veteran heroine steps forward in a finale that ties threads with clear intent. Sand swept vistas and intimate flashbacks create a strong contrast.
It is reflective and bold at once. The film honors the past while letting its lead choose a new path.
‘Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time’ (2021)
This landmark conclusion blends apocalypse scale with small human truth. The craft is meticulous, from city ruins to quiet rooms that feel sacred.
It offers release without forgetting the weight carried to get there. The final images radiate peace and respect for growth.
‘To Every You Ive Loved Before’ (2022)
Parallel choices ripple through a tender romance that plays like a soft melody. The structure invites you to consider how tiny turns shape a life.
The mood is gentle and thoughtful. It leaves you with a calm sense that love can find many forms and still feel true.
Share your own favorites from the decade so far in the comments and tell us which picks you would add to the list.