Introduction
Picture: Sailor Moon Cosmos (left), Bubble (center), and One Piece: Film Red
Over the past several years, the Netflix library has grown considerably to include not only great original licensed anime series but also movies. If you’re brand new to anime and would like help getting started on what to watch, here’s our guide to the best starter movie series on Netflix in 2024. Finding a new anime movie to watch is less daunting than finding a new series; thankfully, the Netflix anime library has a great variety of films. While it isn’t the most extensive library of anime, there are still plenty of exciting and bold new originals and licensed movies from beloved franchises such as One Piece, Haikyuu, and Naruto. Not to mention, in select regions, there’s also the collection of incredible Studio Ghibli films. Are you looking to watch an anime series instead? We also have an in-depth guide for the best beginner anime series.
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Bigger Budget, Bigger Animation
Thanks to bigger budgets and a runtime typically as long as four or five anime episodes, animation studios go bigger and bolder with the animation of their feature films. This often leads to some genuinely dazzling visuals. Netflix has prided itself on some of its original anime movies over the past several years, and we think you should get started with the following titles:
- Drifting Home (2022) – On summer vacation, two childhood friends visit the housing complex where they grew up, which is due to be demolished. But while playing, they get caught up in a strange phenomenon, and upon waking, discover they and the housing complex are lost at sea.
- Bubble (2022) – Cut off from the outside world thanks to bubbles that defy the laws of gravity, Tokyo has become a playground for parkourists.
- Suzume (2022) – Calamities lay behind mysterious doors that have opened across Japan. To save their country from disaster, Suzume and the mysterious Souta must find a way to close all the doors.
- The Imaginary (2023) – Rudger, Amanda’s imaginary friend, suddenly finds himself alone when he arrives at The Town of Imaginaries, where imaginary creations come to live and find work after being forgotten.
The legacy of Studio Ghibli can be seen in The Imaginary, and no one will be surprised to learn that Studio Ponoc, the animation studio that produced The Imaginary, was founded by Yoshiaki Nishimura, the former lead film producer of Studio Ghibli.
Shōnen Films
To capitalize on the popularity of a Shōnen anime series, animation studios will work on making movies for the franchise, which can be released in theaters around the globe. Often, these movies are not tied to the main story of the anime series and are just big-budget, fun side adventures that put the story’s heroes in unique and sometimes bizarre adventures in scenarios against incredibly dangerous, powerful, and fun villains. Some great Shōnen movies you should be checking out on Netflix are:
- One Piece: Film Red (2022) – Luffy and the Straw Hat crew set sail for the island of Elegia, where Uta, the most beloved singer in the world and the daughter of Shanks, is performing.
- Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021) – The story of Yuuta Okkotsu, a powerful but cursed sorcerer who must learn to control the fierce spirit within him when he is enrolled at Jujutsu High School.
- Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie (2012) – Naruto and his friend Sakura find themselves in a parallel world by Madara, who wants to steal the power of the Nine-Tails away from Naruto.
Other Shōnen movie fans should check out My Hero Academia: Two Heroes and The Seven Deadly Sins: Prisoners of the Sky. Not to mention, there’s a whole collection of One Piece and Naruto movies that are ready to stream. While the production of these movies used to be an annual event for franchises such as One Piece and Naruto, in recent years, studios have held back flooding their fan bases with films.
Concluding the Story
Alternatively, some studios have taken to concluding the story from an anime series and making the final arc a big theatrical release. Examples of these anime movies can be found on Netflix:
- The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie (2022)
- Sailor Moon Eternal & Sailor Moon Cosmos (2021-2023)
- Violet Evergarden: The Movie (2020)
Before watching the movies listed above, we recommend watching the anime series first.
Mecha Movies
Not only a toy-selling powerhouse but also incredibly entertaining, the world of Mecha anime is often centered on giant mechs piloted by brave heroes who take on the forces of evil, often against other mechs or giant monsters. The best Mecha anime movies to watch on Netflix come from beloved franchises Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion. There are currently six Mobile Suit Gundam anime movies you can stream on Netflix:
- Mobile Suit Gundam I (1981)
- Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow (1981)
- Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space (1982)
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counter Attack (1988)
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway (2021)
- Mobile Suit Gundam: SEED Freedom (2024)
There are also two movies from Neon Genesis Evangelion:
- Evangelion Death (True)² (1997)
- The End of Evangelion (1997)
We recommend watching the Evangelion movies after you’ve watched the Neon Genesis Evangelion series. The first movie, Evangelion Death (True)², recaps the 24 episodes of the series and previews the next film, The End of Evangelion. Subscribers must also know that The End of Evangelion provides an alternate ending to the Neon Genesis Evangelion story.
What About Studio Ghibli?
Studio Ghibli is an Academy-award-winning animation studio from Japan responsible for beloved classics such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and many more! Sadly, you can’t watch Studio Ghibli movies on Netflix in the USA and will need a subscription to Max to do so. However, living outside the USA, you can access all twenty-one Studio Ghibli movies until the summer of 2026.
In other exciting news, two more Studio Ghibli movies, The Boy and the Heron and the heartbreaking war-drama The Grave of the Fireflies, are on the way to Netflix. For Netflix subscribers with access to the Studio Ghibli library, we would argue there isn’t a better collection of movies to start your anime viewing experience. What anime movies have you watched on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
Conclusion
The main keyword has indeed anchored our guide to the ever-expanding Netflix anime library, highlighting the must-watch selections for newcomers and veterans alike. From the bigger budgets and dazzling visuals of original movies like “Drifting Home,” “Bubble,” and “Suzume,” to the thrilling standalone Shōnen films such as “One Piece: Film Red” and “Jujutsu Kaisen 0,” there’s something for every type of anime enthusiast. Concluding arcs through standalone movies, like “The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie” and “Violet Evergarden: The Movie,” offer a satisfying wrap-up for series fans. The Mecha genre is robustly represented with classics from “Mobile Suit Gundam” and “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” providing epic battles and heroic tales. Studio Ghibli’s classics remain a golden standard, even though they’re restricted in some regions. Finally, always remember to watch related series first to fully appreciate the cinematic releases. So, dive into the vibrant world of anime on Netflix today and share your thoughts in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good starter anime movies on Netflix in 2024?
Some great anime movies to start with on Netflix in 2024 include “Drifting Home,” “Bubble,” and “Suzume.” These films offer a good mix of stunning animation, engaging stories, and accessible entry points into the world of anime.
Is “One Piece: Film Red” available on Netflix?
Yes, “One Piece: Film Red” is available on Netflix. It features Luffy and the Straw Hat crew as they set sail for the island of Elegia, where the world’s most beloved singer, Uta, is performing.
How can I watch Studio Ghibli films on Netflix?
Studio Ghibli films are not available on Netflix in the USA and require a Max subscription instead. However, outside the USA, you can access all twenty-one Studio Ghibli films until the summer of 2026.
Are there any recap movies for “Neon Genesis Evangelion” on Netflix?
Yes, you can find “Evangelion Death (True)²,” which recaps the 24 episodes of the “Neon Genesis Evangelion” series, and “The End of Evangelion,” which provides an alternate ending to the story.
Why should I watch the anime series first before the movies?
Watching the anime series first helps you understand the character development and plot intricacies, making the movies’ added arcs and concluding stories more impactful and enjoyable.
Is “Suzume” a good movie to start with for beginners?
Yes, “Suzume” is an excellent starter movie as it offers a gripping story filled with mysterious doors and calamities, paired with stunning visuals, making it engaging for anime newcomers.
What Mecha anime movies are available on Netflix?
Netflix hosts several Mecha anime movies, including six from the “Mobile Suit Gundam” franchise and two from “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” These films feature epic battles between giant mechs and formidable foes.
Are there any concluding movie arcs available on Netflix?
Yes, some anime series conclude their story arcs with movie releases. Examples include “The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie,” “Sailor Moon Eternal & Sailor Moon Cosmos,” and “Violet Evergarden: The Movie.”
Can I find “The Grave of the Fireflies” on Netflix?
Yes, “The Grave of the Fireflies,” a heartbreaking war-drama, is set to arrive on Netflix, adding to their extensive library of Studio Ghibli films available outside the USA.
Do Shōnen films on Netflix adhere to the main storylines?
Often, Shōnen films on Netflix, such as “One Piece: Film Red” and “Jujutsu Kaisen 0,” feature side adventures that are not directly tied to the main storylines of their respective anime series but offer exciting and unique plots.