Top 10 Anime Films of 2024

2024 was another great year for film, especially anime films. This year was even better than last. With a wide variety of titles released physically, on streaming, and in cinemas, picking my Top ten anime films this year was difficult. However, before we get to the list, let’s lay out some ground rules.

My eligibility criteria for this list will be the same as last year but with one small addition. To be eligible for this list, the anime film would have to be released in UK cinemas, on physical/streaming or shown at festivals in 2024 and cannot have been mentioned on previous top ten lists. This means that films like Blue Giant, which was featured on the 2023 top ten list as it was shown at Scotland Loves Anime that year but had a theatrical release in 2024, is not eligible for this list. If you missed last year’s list, please read it here. This also means older titles getting released on Blu-ray for the first time are eligible. I want my coverage of anime to be a love letter to the medium, and to me, that means showcasing what has come before, as well as the anime we get today. Before we get into the list, let’s discuss a few honourable mentions.

Anime Limited released the Makoto Shinkai Anthology Collection this year, which has six of his feature films and one OVA all in one stunning collection. It is the best way to explore Makoto Shinkai’s incredible filmography, and the set is truly gorgeous. Your Name and Weathering with You are must-watch films for any film lover, not just anime fans.

The Patlabor Trilogy of films were released on collector’s edition and standard edition Blu-ray in 2024 and are great sci-fi mech films. The first two are special delights of cinema. Directed by Mamoru Oshii, who would later go on to direct Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor one and two are the definition of smart sci-fi that he would later go on to perfect with Ghost in the Shell. With gorgeous animation from Production I.G., the Patlabor trilogy is a must-own title.

My final honourable mention has me bending my rules greatly, but I want to talk about Evangelion 3.0+1.11: Thrice Upon a Time. At the end of 2023 and into the beginning of 2024, I decided to fill in my biggest blind spot by watching all of Evangelion the show plus all five movies and due to that, I was not able to mention Evangelion 3.0+1.11: Thrice Upon a Time on the 2023 list as I watched it for the first time in 2024. However, this epic conclusion to both the original series and the rebuild films is mind-bogglingly brilliant.

So, with the honourable mentions covered, here are my top ten anime films of 2024.

Number 10 – Sand Land

In 2024, we lost the great Akira Toriyama and seeing the latest adaption of his work was a bittersweet moment. Still, Sand Land was an utter blast of a film. The film follows Sheriff Rao, who is aided by demons Demon Prince Beelzebub and Thief, as they try to find a new water supply, as in this world, water is a rare commodity.

You can read our review for Sand Land here – Read our Review

Sand Land the Series is available to stream on Disney Plus

Number 9 – Look Back

At 58 minutes, this is the shortest film on the list, but it has so much to say. The film is an emotional punch to the gut and will leave you with teary eyes. Look Back follows Ayumu Fujino, a young girl who makes manga for her school paper that one day becomes collaborative with Kyomoto, a reclusive girl who was inspired by Fujino’s work.

You can read our review for Look Back here – Read our Review

Look Back is available to stream on Amazon Prime

Number 8 – Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram

The first Detective Conan film to ever be released in the UK, Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram is a fantastic mystery title that blends fun deduction scenes, laugh-out-loud humour and intense action. On this adventure, Conan must solve the mystery of how two swords that Kid the Phantom Thief tried to steal are like to a recent murder.

You can read our review for Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram here – Read our Review

Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram is coming soon to Blu-ray and DVD from CineAsia

Number 7 – Blue Thermal

Blue Thermal is a true anomaly, as I would have bet serious money that a film based on gliding would be a truly boring watch. However, Blue Thermal does the unimaginable and soars above the clouds to be a truly engaging sports anime meets slice-of-life drama. The film follows Tamaki Tsuru, who s her university’s gliding club after she accidentally damaged a glider.

You can read our review for Blue Thermal here – Read our Review

Blue Thermal is available on collectors and standard edition Blu-ray from Anime Limited

Number 6 – Spy x Family: Code White

A spin-off of the hit show of the same name, Spy x Family: Code White, is the feature debut of the Forger family. A brought-together family consisting of a spy, an assassin and a telepath. The comedy action film follows the Forger family on vacation so Anya can learn how to make her heaster’s favourite dish. However, this trip could put world peace in jeopardy.

You can read our review for Spy x Family: Code White here – Read our Review

Spy x Family: Code White is available to stream on Netflix and coming soon on Blu-ray from Anime Limited

Number 5 – Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle

The first part of the epic conclusion to the Haikyu anime, Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle, is a great sports anime that is similar to The First Slam Dunk as it focuses on one match for its entire run time. The film follows our titular volleyball team, Karasuno High, as they have their first official match against Nekoma High in the 3rd Round of Nationals.

You can read our review for Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle here – Read our Review

Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle is available to stream on Crunchyroll

Number 4 – Dan Da Dan: First Encounters

Technically, the first three episodes of the anime would later air on Netflix and Crunchyroll however, if you saw it in Cinemas, you did get to see these weeks before the show’s actual release. Dan Da Dan follows Momo and Okarun. Momo believes ghosts are real, while Okarun believes in Aliens. However, it turns out both exist and wacky antics ensue.

You can read our review for Dan Da Dan: First Encounters here – Read our Review

Dan Da Dan is available to stream on Netflix and Crunchyroll

Number 3 – A Few Moments of Cheer

The hardest part of being an artist is the realisation that you may have to get a “real job”. A Few Moments of Cheer explores this idea excellently. The film follows Kanata Asaya, a student with a ion for making music videos. One night, he encounters a performer who moves him, and he wants to make a video for them. Surprisingly, it turns out that said performer is his new teacher.

You can read our review for A Few Moments of Cheer here – Read our Review

Number 2 – Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window

Filled with childlike innocence and exploring neurodivergent children in a time when that word didn’t even exist, Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window is based on the memoir of TV personality Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. The film follows Totto-chan. A young girl heads to a new school after being expelled from her previous school due to being disruptive. While this is happening, Japan descends into war.

You can read our review for Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window here – Read our Review

Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window is coming soon to UK cinemas from Anime Limited

Number 1 – The Colors Within

The latest work by director Naoko Yamada, The Colors Within, is another masterpiece in her ever-growing filmography. This also marked a huge shift in Naoko Yamada’s Career as this is her first feature with Science Saru since departing Kyoto Animation. The film follows Totsuko as she forms a band with her Classmate, Kimi, and a new friend, Rui.