Nowadays, Netflix’s anime options are nothing to scoff at! From new and updated releases to classics, its catalog has grown over the years to the delight of many anime fans looking to easily marathon something.
However, if you don’t have the time to marathon a series and would rather just watch an anime movie, this streaming giant has your back, too. Here are the 5 best anime movies on Netflix that are standalone and can be watched on their own. They’re not tied to any series, so you don’t really need that big of a commitment to start them.
As always, check beforehand if these titles are in your Netflix region. Without further ado, rev up your Netflix, buy Netflix gift card code, and ready the snacks—it’s movie time, tomodachis!
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
Release Date: 2020
Genre: Slice-of-life, Rom-Com
Studio: Signal.MD
This is the meet-cute tale of a shy haiku boy and a bubbly but self-conscious gal as they share a magical summer vacation in rural Japan. He can only properly express his feelings through the haiku he writes, while she’s an online influencer who feels insecure about her teeth. With their predicaments, can they open up their hearts to each other?
If you’re into feeling the heart flutters of young love, this is one of the best anime movies to try on Netflix. It got nominations in the 2020 Mainichi Film Award and the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, so that might sway your heart even more to give this a go!
Mary and the Witch’s Flower
Release Date: 2017
Genre: Fantasy
Studio: Studio Ponoc
A little girl stumbles upon a mysterious plant that can transform her into a magical witch. She gets taken into a whole new magical world, much to her delight! However, actions have consequences, and now Mary has to right some wrongs.
Anyone who has ever dreamed of being whisked away into a fantastical adventure will love this film. Curious why this looks similar to Studio Ghibli’s style? It’s because Studio Ponoc was started by a former Ghibli producer! If you love this specific anime movie genre, this’ll be a win for you.
Maboroshi / Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Koujou
Release Date: 2023
Genre: Sci-fi, Drama, Romance
Studio: MAPPA
In a small rural town, a huge explosion changes the trajectory of the lives of its residents. They are now all cut off from the rest of the world and are stuck in time and in a forever-winter situation.
They all try to carry on, but rising frustrations, the appearance of a mysterious being, and a blooming romance might change their reality even further.
This movie garnered praise and awards at the 2023 Mainichi Film Award and the 2024 Niigata Int’l Animation Film Festival. It won Best Animation Film and the Kabuku Award, respectively.
Bubble
Release Date: 2022
Genre: Action, Sci-fi, Post-Apocalyptic
Studio: Wit Studio
The world, particularly Tokyo, was never the same after gravity-defying bubbles fell on the world and turned areas into almost inhabitable spaces. However, a group of young people transformed this unfortunate situation into something exciting: they made Tokyo a parkour hub.
A guy with exceptional parkour skills tries to overcome Tokyo Tower, but one mishap sends him to his doom—or so he thought. Saved by a mysterious maiden, he slowly uncovers the secrets of his new reality.
Produced by Wit Studio of Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga fame, expect awesome animation as you watch the characters flip, leap, and soar into the air! This anime movie won Best Animated Programme at the 2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards and was nominated in Crunchyroll’s 2023 Anime Awards.
Studio Ghibli Movies
If we include every single one of Studio Ghibli’s works from 1984 to 2023, this list would get longer! So as a compromise, because we absolutely cannot skip them, this entry counts for the entirety of the studio’s films on Netflix.
From My Neighbor Totoro to the recent The Boy and the Heron, Studio Ghibli has a phenomenal track record of producing the best anime movies that transport its viewers to a dazzling world full of magic and wonder.
If you haven’t watched any of their movies, take this as your sign to start a Studio Ghibli marathon now! Renew your Netflix subscription via U7BUY, your one-stop shop for streaming gift cards and codes. Buying and topping up is easy. Simply follow this How to Redeem Netflix Gift Card Code guide for more details.