10 Best-Selling Anime Films of All Time, Too Good to Miss!

Kapanlagi.com - Written by: Lily Ariani

In the past few decades, the popularity of anime in the global market has been skyrocketing. Anime presents many interesting stories accompanied by cool animation and stunning graphics. Anime has become a favorite of many people from various backgrounds.

Not only are the TV series hugely successful, but the popularity of anime has also reached the big screen. Considering the expanding market, the distribution of anime films has become more global. This opens up access for anime films to achieve higher box office results.

Nowadays, there are more and more anime films topping the box office worldwide. Some anime films even earn global revenues of over 100 million. Here are the top 10 best-selling anime films of all time, starting from the lowest rank.

1. JUJUTSU KAISEN 0

Studio MAPPA

Ranking 10 highest-grossing anime films of all time is occupied by JUJUTSU KAISEN 0. This anime film, released in 2021, managed to earn a profit of 196.2 million dollars or around 3.1 trillion rupiah. As the title suggests, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 is actually a prequel to the anime series JUJUTSU KAISEN.

JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 focuses on Yuta Okkotsu. Yuta has a childhood friend named Rika who died in an accident. As a result of the tragedy, Yuta is possessed by a cursed spirit that is actually a manifestation of Rika. To control the cursed spirit, Yuta then enters Jujutsu High School.

2. PONYO

Studio Ghibli

In second place, there is the anime film PONYO from Studio Ghibli. Considering the popularity of Studio Ghibli, it is not surprising that PONYO also occupies the top 10 highest-grossing anime films of all time. This film managed to earn a total revenue of 204.8 million dollars or approximately 3.3 trillion rupiah.

Sosuke finds a goldfish trapped in a jar and washed up on the beach. The goldfish is Ponyo. Ponyo can transform into a human when she tastes human blood. Sosuke and Ponyo then develop a friendship.

3. HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE

Studio Ghibli

Still from Studio Ghibli, next there is HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE. Although this film was released two decades ago, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE is still one of the most popular and beloved Ghibli films. The profit obtained from this film itself reached 237.5 million dollars.

When Sophie is cursed to become an old woman, she decides to leave home. Sophie then meets Howl and becomes the castle's cleaner. Since then, Sophie has gotten to know Howl better. The curse she experienced gradually disappears due to Sophie's love for Howl.

4. ONE PIECE FILM: RED

Toei Animation

As part of the Big Three anime, the popularity of ONE PIECE is unquestionable. In addition to its main series that is still airing to this day, ONE PIECE has also released many films. ONE PIECE FILM: RED itself is the 15th film released to commemorate the 1000th episode of its main series. This film successfully garnered a revenue of 246.5 million dollars.

ONE PIECE FILM: RED tells the story of Luffy on Elegia Island. There, Luffy meets Uta, who is his childhood friend. Now, Uta has become a famous diva on Elegia Island. Unfortunately, an unwanted event occurs due to the revelation of a secret.

5. THE FIRST SLAM DUNK

Toei Animation

Classic 90s anime SLAM DUNK is back in a new film released in 2022. Titled THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, this film is directed by the mangaka Tekehiko Inoue. THE FIRST SLAM DUNK became one of the best-selling anime films, earning a revenue of 279 million dollars.

Through the perspective of Ryota Miyagi, THE FIRST SLAM DUNK summarizes the story of the Shohoku High School basketball team, which often faced defeat in the first round. The Shohoku High School basketball team then welcomes new members, Hanamichi Sakuragi, Kaede Rukawa, Ryota Miyagi, and Hisashi Mitsui. With the new formation, this basketball team successfully qualifies for the national level.

6. THE BOY AND THE HERON

Studio Ghibli

It's not Ghibli if it doesn't shake the anime world. The latest Masterpiece from Hayao Miyazaki joins the ranks of the highest-grossing anime films in the world, earning a revenue of 294.2 million dollars. Besides being successful in theaters, THE BOY AND THE HERON also won the 2024 Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

After his mother's death, Mahito moves to a new house where Natsuko also resides. One day, Mahito encounters a mysterious heron. The heron tells Mahito that his mother is still alive. At the same time, Natsuko goes missing from the house.

7. SUZUME

CoMix Wave Films

In addition to Hayao Maiyazaki's works, Makoto Shinkai's works are also popular among anime fans. SUZUME, which was released in 2022, easily joined the ranks of the best-selling anime films of all time. This film managed to earn a profit of 323.6 million dollars.

The film tells the adventure of Suzume and a young man in preventing a major disaster that threatens Japan. The disaster is caused by a mysterious door that opens. Suzume must go through a long journey to be able to close the door.

8. YOUR NAME

CoMix Wave Films

Still a work by Makoto Shinkai, at number 3 there is the film YOUR NAME. With super cool animation and visuals, YOUR NAME managed to attract many viewers and generate a profit of 382.2 million dollars.

YOUR NAME tells the story of Mitsuha and Taki who switch bodies. Mitsuha is a high school student who lives in Itomori Village, in the Hida mountain area. Meanwhile, Taki lives in Tokyo. Curious, Taki tries to find out about Mitsuha and goes to Itomori Village.

9. DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA - THE MOVIE: MUGEN TRAIN

Ufotable Studio

DEMON SLAYER became one of the very popular modern anime. Following the footsteps of its main series, the film DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA - THE MOVIE: MUGEN TRAIN also achieved great success. The revenue generated from this film reached $507.1 million or approximately IDR 8.2 trillion. With such a huge revenue, DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA - THE MOVIE: MUGEN TRAIN successfully set a record as the highest-grossing anime film in history.

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA - THE MOVIE: MUGEN TRAIN can be considered as a sequel to the first season of its main series. Continuing from the end of season 1, this film summarizes Tanjiro's journey with Rengoku, Zenitsu, and Inosuke in exterminating demons. When they board the Mugen train, Tanjiro and his friends are instead affected by a spell that makes them fall asleep and enter the subconscious realm.

(kpl/lly)