Anime films are Japanese animated productions, often featuring distinctive art styles and storytelling techniques.

1. Spirited Away (2001)

Hayao Miyazaki‘s masterpiece follows a young girl working in a bathhouse for spirits to save her parents.

Why it’s great:

• Stunning hand-drawn animation
• Rich, imaginative world-building
• Themes of personal growth and environmentalism

2. Akira (1988)

Set in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo, this cyberpunk classic follows biker gang members caught up in a government conspiracy.

Why it’s great:

• Groundbreaking animation and sound design
• Complex, thought-provoking storyline
• Influential cyberpunk aesthetic

3. Ghost in the Shell (1995)

This philosophical sci-fi follows a cyborg police officer hunting a mysterious hacker.

Why it’s great:

• Exploration of consciousness and identity in a digital age
• Striking blend of traditional and computer animation
• Influential on later sci-fi works like The Matrix

4. Your Name (2016)

This body-swap romance follows two teenagers who mysteriously begin switching bodies.

Why it’s great:

• Beautiful animation and use of color
• Emotionally resonant story
• Clever plot twists and time manipulation

5. Princess Mononoke (1997)

Another Miyazaki classic, this epic follows a prince caught in a struggle between forest gods and humans.

Why it’s great:

• Complex, morally ambiguous characters
• Powerful environmental themes
• Stunning depiction of nature and mythical creatures.