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From being a niche interest to earning hundreds of millions at the box office worldwide, the highest-grossing anime films have come a long way. What was originally thought to be a Japanese-only market has become a global phenomenon. These ten movies are evidence of it. In order of lowest to highest gross, these are the top 10 highest-grossing anime films ever produced.
List of the Highest-Grossing Anime Films of All Time
10. Princess Mononoke (1997) — $231 million
Princess Mononoke is one of the oldest and highest-grossing anime films ever made. When Studio Ghibli's epic fantasy about a battle between nature gods and humanity was released in 1997, it was a huge cultural event in Japan. In the end, it reached a global audience and made almost $231 million. That figure is quite remarkable for a movie from the late 1990s.
9. Howl's Moving Castle (2004) — $237 million
The list includes yet another Ghibli masterpiece. With $237 million worldwide, Howl's Moving Castle easily ranks among the highest-grossing anime films ever. The movie, which debuted in 2004, centers on a young lady who is cursed to live in the body of an elderly woman and finds herself in a magical traveling castle. It is both aesthetically pleasing and emotionally complex, which is really the epitome of the Ghibli formula.
8. One Piece Film: Red (2022) — $246 million
One Piece Film: Red showed that noncanonical anime movies are just as competitive as the best. With $246 million, it is among the highest-grossing anime films globally, which is impressive for a plot that has no bearing on the main One Piece timeline. Singer Ado, whose song shaped the movie's personality, was a major factor in its popularity. Fans showed up, and the numbers reflected that.
7. The First Slam Dunk (2022) — $279 million
On this list of the highest-grossing anime films, The First Slam Dunk may be the most unexpected. Despite the fact that the original manga stopped in the mid-1990s, this 2022 movie made $279 million globally with very little support from Western theaters. It was a love letter to longtime fans, and they responded in a big way. It's very amazing how well it did without extensive international marketing.
6. The Boy and the Heron (2023) — $294 million
One of the most peculiar of the highest-grossing anime films in recent memory is The Boy and the Heron. It was released by Studio Ghibli with just one poster, no trailer campaign, and almost no marketing. Additionally, it earned $294 million globally. The excitement was heightened by rumors that it was Hayao Miyazaki's last movie. In any case, admirers of Miyazaki were not going to miss it.
5. Suzume (2022) — $314 million
Suzume is Makoto Shinkai's third consecutive huge anime smash, and it definitely belongs in any discussion regarding the highest-grossing anime films ever produced. The movie, which came out in 2022, centers on a girl who finds a secret door that causes catastrophes all throughout Japan. Due in large part to its popularity in China and South Korea, it earned $314 million globally. Silently, Shinkai has emerged as one of the most successful anime directors.
4. Spirited Away (2001) — $395 million
On this list of the highest-grossing anime films, Spirited Away is probably the most cherished movie. The world's perception of anime was altered by Hayao Miyazaki's 2001 masterpiece, which received the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and told the story of a girl imprisoned in a spirit world. Over the years, re-releases have increased its global earnings to $395 million. It continues to have a unique place in anime history even after more than 20 years.
3. Your Name (2016) — $405 million
At $405 million worldwide, Your Name is third among the highest-grossing anime films ever made, and that number would likely be much higher if it were released today. In 2016, Makoto Shinkai's unexpected body-swap romance became viral. A significant portion of its earnings came from China alone. Its success is even more astounding because it is an original plot with no manga or existing fan base—just pure filmmaking.
2. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020) — $512 million
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train changed the standards for what may be accomplished in anime movies. It became one of the highest-grossing anime films in history almost immediately, earning $512 million worldwide. Fans have every reason to purchase a ticket because it was released in 2020 and continued exactly where the anime's first season left off. It shattered Spirited Away's records in Japan alone. It was more than just a film; it was a cultural event.
1. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (2025) — $802 million
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is the highest-grossing anime movie ever created, and it's not even close. When the movie was released in 2025, it sold over 90 million tickets worldwide and made $802 million, exceeding all predictions. It is the first anime movie to ever earn more than $800 million. One of the most eagerly awaited plotlines in the Demon Slayer series is the Infinity Castle arc, and viewers flocked to the big screen in record numbers to witness it.
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What this list reveals
A few things come to mind while examining the highest-grossing anime films ever made. Miyazaki's work is timeless, as seen by Studio Ghibli's four entries. Demon Slayer now holds the top two positions, demonstrating the franchise's growing dominance. Additionally, movies like Your Name and The First Slam Dunk show that older IPs and original stories can still compete at the top level. Anime is no longer a niche. This list is evidence that it is a true box office force.
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