7 Best Anime Movies of 2024
List of the Best Anime Movies Released in 2024
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In 2024, many anticipated anime series are scheduled to be broadcast, while a number of new anime movies are also set to be released in theaters. Including the latest installment of annual movie series and new anime films based on manga, it will be another enjoyable year for anime fans. There are also highly anticipated works that have been postponed from the previous year to this year.
Unlike anime series, the charm of movies lies in being able to enjoy them in one shot. Of course, there are movies that are sequels to series, but many are designed to be enjoyed as standalone anime movies.
So, what kind of anime movies will be released in 2024, and which ones should you watch? Here I have compiled a list of the best anime movies released in 2024, including completely new animation and remakes of past works. Please use this as a guide to watching new anime movies.
Many will be released in theaters in Japan and soon after in your country, or they will be available globally on streaming sites at the same time. Let’s experience cutting-edge anime!
For the latest list of recommended anime films, check the Best Anime Movies of 2025!
1. Kimi no Iro
A leading contender for the best anime movie in 2024 is Kimi no Iro (きみの色), directed by Naoko Yamada, known for the K-On! series starting in 2009 and the 2016 film A Silent Voice. While her many previous works were produced under Kyoto Animation, this time Kimi no Iro is a collaboration between Science SARU and Naoko Yamada. The quality of this production team was recently proven with the 2022 anime series The Heike Story. The screenplay is by Reiko Yoshida, known for Violet Evergarden. The story centers on a high school girl who can see people’s emotions as colors. She tends to prioritize others’ moods over her own true feelings. It explores her struggles in life, the people she meets, and how she finds hope.
Release Date: 2024
2. Fureru
The most anticipated anime movie of 2024, since its release announcement in December 2023, has been Fureru (ふれる。), set for release in the autumn of 2024. This drama film, blending slice-of-life and fantasy, is directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai, known for the heartwarming series Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day. In addtion, the screenplay is written by Mari Okada. Their recent work together was the 2019 film Her Blue Sky, which portrayed a rural slice-of-life with surreal elements, focusing on a group of young people. Fureru is expected to follow a similar framework, and there is much anticipation about the kind of moving story it unfolds. The production is being handled by CloverWorks, one of the most dynamic studios at present.
Release Date: Autumn, 2024
3. Look Back
Among many remarkable new titles, Look Back (ルックバック) is definitely one of the best anime movies of 2024. This 60-min animation is based on the short manga written by Tatsuki Fujimoto in 2021, who is also famous for Chainsaw Man. It tells the story of two girls who love drawing manga and the lives they lead. This is a masterpiece brought to life by Studio Durian, adapting a deep story filled with the experiences and sharp insights of the original manga’s author, Tatsuki Fujimoto. While it may seem like a slice-of-life genre, by the time you finish watching, you will be truly overwhelmed.
Release Date: June 28, 2024
4. Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction
A common trend in the anime industry nowadays is the adaptation of popular manga into anime. In the spring season of 2024, the renowned sci-fi manga Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction (デッドデッドデーモンズデデデデデストラクション) by Inio Asano is adapted into a two-part anime movie. While Inio Asano’s manga have a dedicated core fanbase, this marks the first time that one of his works, Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction, is being adapted into anime. The film is directed by Tomoyuki Kurokawa, who has experience adapting the manga Break of Dawn into an anime film in 2022. The story revolves around high school girls Kadode and Ouran, who enjoy their daily life in a world invaded by aliens. It’s a unique anime movie that combines the tension of this extraordinary situation with lighthearted comedic elements.
Release Date: March 22 and May 24, 2024
5. Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Signpost
This year, the annual detective mystery film series is returning to the big screen. Continuing the success of the 2023 movie Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine, Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Signpost (名探偵コナン 100万ドルの五稜星) is the 27th film in the long-running Detective Conan movie series. In Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Signpost, the focus is on not only the main character Conan, but also on two key characters of the series: the enigmatic Kaito Kid and Heiji Hattori. This movie is highly anticipated among fans and is set to be a significant episode that complements the manga and its anime series that has been ongoing since 1994.
The movie prominently features the Goryokaku in Hakodate, Hokkaido, as its symbolic setting, adding a unique and picturesque backdrop to the thrilling mystery.
Release Date: April 12, 2024
6. Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era
The first movie in the series, Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era (ウマ娘 プリティーダービー 新時代の扉), is coming to theaters in May 2024. Umamusume: Pretty Derby started in 2018, and its latest third season aired in 2023. As a sequel to this, the anime film is being produced. This unique anime series features horse girl characters personifying famous historical racehorses has also been a hit as a social game. While the Umamusume series has featured different characters as the protagonist each season, this latest movie will focus on the newly-focused horse girl character Jungle Pocket. She strives and grows alongside her contemporaries and rivals, such as Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe.
Release Date: May 24, 2024
7. Trapezium
This year sees the birth of a finest anime movie about idols, made by idols. It’s Trapezium (トラペジウム) and is one of the highlights of the anime film industry in 2024. Trapezium, scheduled to be released from May, is based on a novel written in 2018 by Kazumi Takayama, a former member of the popular idol group Nogizaka46. The novel, which vividly captures the youth of its characters with a sense of transparency, is ideally suited for animation by CloverWorks, and it’s gratifying to see this production come to fruition. It’s a coming-of-age story that follows ten years in the life of a girl, Yu Azuma, who aspires to be an idol. The story begins as she seeks to find companions in her quest to fulfill her dream.
Release Date: May 10, 2024
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Movie – Walpurgisnacht: Rising
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Movie – Walpurgisnacht: Rising (劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ〈ワルプルギスの廻天〉) is looked on as one of the best anime movies released in 2024 among anime fans. Since its first broadcast in 2011, Puella Magi Madoka Magica has been a globally acclaimed dark fantasy anime series. Despite the release of a trilogy of movies in 2012 and 2013, fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel. Walpurgisnacht: Rising is this long-awaited latest installment, with Akiyuki Shinbo as the chief director and Yukihiro Miyamoto as the director, like the past works. The story of key characters Madoka and Homura is not yet over. It’s interesting to note that the reception of this movie could potentially redefine the overall perception of the series.
Release Date: Winter, 2024
NOTE: Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Movie – Walpurgisnacht: Rising has been postponed to the winter of 2025.
It’s clear that 2024 will be a very promising year for animated films. On the other hand, when we look back at history, it becomes apparent that the movie titles introduced above are just a fraction of the recommended works. For those who want to know the best animated movies of all time, make sure to check this list as well: 30 Best Anime Movies of All Time!
For more modern finest anime movies in these few years, check these articles below!
▶️11 Best Anime Movies of 2023 from The Boy and the Heron to Spy x Family Code: White
▶️10 Best Anime Movies of 2022 from Suzume to One Piece Film: Red
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Hi! I’m a writer and editor at Japan Web Magazine. Since 2017, I’ve written over 500 articles covering a wide range of Japan-related topics—must-visit travel spots, local food culture, helpful travel tips, seasonal events, anime, manga, and more. I travel all over Japan, from the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido to the tropical beaches of Okinawa. My hobbies, such as hunting for the best ramen shops and keeping up with the latest anime every season, help me share the magic of Japan with people from all over the world. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a Japan fan planning your dream trip, I want to help you experience the best of what this country has to offer. After traveling to many countries around the world, I still love Japan the most, and I continue to share information while making the most of my perspective as someone who was born and raised here. [Connect with me] ▷You can find more of my writing and follow my latest thoughts on Japan over on Medium. A bit more about me: [Traveler at heart] ▷Most unforgettable trip: Chichijima Island, a remote island that takes over 23 hours to reach by ferry from Tokyo! ▷Favorite neighborhood in Tokyo: Kagurazaka [Foodie life] ▷Obsessed with sushi and ramen ▷Proud foodie moment: Scored a seat at the legendary Sukiyabashi Jiro [Passionate otaku] ▷Favorite anime: March Comes in Like a Lion and Attack on Titan ▷Manga I live by: One Piece and Slam Dunk
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