10 best anime movies of the 2000s

Anime movies of the 2000s surged into mainstream popularity through visionary directors who crafted endlessly imaginative fantasy worlds while exploring complex emotional themes with remarkable insight. Legendary Studio Ghibli classics stood tall alongside bold avant-garde triumphs that pushed the creative boundaries.

From Hayao Miyazaki's magical humanist fables to Satoshi Kon's surreal, reality-bending psychological thrillers, the very best anime movies of the 2000s delivered profound stories told through groundbreaking animation. These timeless masterpieces resonate with emotional honesty across generations.

Note: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

10 must-watch anime movies of the 2000s

1) Spirited Away (2001)

It centers on ten-year-old Chihiro, who tumbles into an abandoned amusement park with her parents during a move. After her mother and father undergo a dark, magical transformation into pigs, Chihiro must uncover the secrets of the spirit world to rescue them from the witch Yubaba’s powerful spell.

To survive on her own strength, she takes a job at Yubaba’s giant bathhouse, catering to visiting gods, ghosts, and monsters inspired by Japanese lore. As she searches for her parents, Chihiro bonds with the mysterious Haku, who guides her through a realm of imagination and hidden dangers behind its mythic wonder.

Every hand-drawn frame crafted by Studio Ghibli overflows with surreal beings and environments conjured from Visionary Hayao Miyazaki’s boundless creativity interwoven with folkloric influences. It balances a coming-of-age tale with sharp commentary on greed’s corruption of innocence through spellbinding artistry.

2) Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

Howl's Moving Castle (Image via Studio Ghibli)

It centers on insecure hat-maker Sophie, transformed into a feeble old woman by the vengeful Witch of the Waste. Yearning to break the life-draining curse, she seeks help from Howl, an enigmatic young wizard whose mechanical moving castle transports across picturesque lands trapped in war’s darkening shadow.

Inside the castle, Sophie forms whimsical friendships with Howl’s apprentice Markl, the powerful fire demon Calcifer who powers their mobile home, and Howl himself while becoming embroiled in his courageous efforts to thwart battlefield foes using dark magic.

Exquisitely hand-animated by Studio Ghibli, Howl's Moving Castle creates an eccentric steampunk fantasy universe where magic reigns supreme. Miyazaki infuses his anti-war humanism into a soaring tale of moral courage shining brightly through vibrant young spirits.

3) The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Image via Madhouse)

This sci-fi drama by acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda focuses on happy-go-lucky teenager Makoto, who miraculously gains the power to literally “leap” through time after a life-changing encounter with a mysterious object.

She initially employs her special ability to relive everyday moments and fix minor inconveniences, but her attempts to alter more significant events soon uncover forgotten memories and regrets.

Even while defying physics, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time portrays the universal struggles of adolescent life with emotional honesty and inventive charm. Despite the fantasy, Makoto faces friendship, romance, and existential questions, connecting deeply through slice-of-life drama.

4. 5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)

5 Centimeters Per Second (Image via CoMix Wave Films)

An anime movie that redefined what animation can explore, 5 Centimeters Per Second put Makoto Shinkai firmly on the map for his rapturous yet sobering emotional dramas. It follows two young friends struggling to maintain their deep connection as life pulls them in separate directions.

5 Centimeters Per Second portrays longing and the passage of time with maturity and emotional honesty unseen in animation before. Shinkai employs gorgeously detailed background art to emphasize isolation and distance with bittersweet intensity.

As one of the most popular anime movies of the 2000s, it serves as the ideal gateway into his filmography while staking his claim as an auteur unafraid to tackle the messy complexities of young love and growing apart.

5. Paprika (2006)

The late Satoshi Kon was a visionary director who pushed the avant-garde aesthetics and storytelling of anime movies into new surreal directions before his tragic passing.

Paprika is his animation masterpiece, a mind-bending sci-fi psychological thriller diving deep into dreams, madness and the human psyche. It follows scientists using a powerful device to enter dreams and tread the thin line between imagination and reality.

The non-linear trippy narrative mesmerizes viewers as the visuals become increasingly surreal and nightmarish. As an intelligent blend of philosophy, psychoanalysis, and dream logic, Paprika left fans of anime movies of the 2000s spellbound and eager for more from Kon's wildly inventive imagination

6. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)

In this lesser-known holiday gem by the late Satoshi Kon, Tokyo Godfathers brings together three homeless people who discover an abandoned newborn girl on Christmas Eve.

As they face their turbulent pasts to return the baby to her mother, the unlikely group embarks on an extraordinary adventure across Tokyo. On the surface a festive drama, Tokyo Godfathers uses the Christmas spirit to craft a hard-hitting and emotional tale of human connection, regret and redemption.

It displays Kon's skill at interweaving genres while spotlighting pertinent social issues amidst the accessible holiday cheer. The vivid hand-drawn visuals and empathetic leads draw the viewer into an ultimately life-affirming journey, making it one of the standout anime movies of the 2000s.

7. Millennium Actress (2001)

In this artistic triumph, acclaimed avant-garde director Satoshi Kon explores the storied lifetime and varied cinematic career of legendary actress Chiyoko Fujiwara. When a documentary crew interviews the reclusive star in her later years, the aged actress recounts her quest to find her long-lost first love across decades.

As she journeys through memories, Kon fuses Chiyoko’s real life story with her numerous movie roles spanning Japanese film history. Brilliant editing and visual imagery collapse the narrative layers to illustrate how Chiyoko’s films mirror and influence her personal highs and tragedies.

Millennium Actress stands as Kon’s love letter to his country's cinema using inventive illusory techniques without losing sight of Chiyoko’s emotional core across the ages. This stylistic triumph cemented Kon’s bold vision eager to push artistic boundaries.

8. Steamboy (2004)

Steamboy (Image via Sunrise, Studio 4°C, Bandai Visual)

From iconic manga artist and Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo comes this steampunk action-adventure spectacle with extensive production development. Young inventor Ray Steam receives a mysterious metal ball containing a powerful new energy source.

Soon a battle ensues across London to control this technology that could revolutionize the world. Backed by production houses including Sunrise and Studio 4°C, Steamboy's high-octane set pieces showcase beautifully animated mechanical designs and proto-sci-fi technology.

The retro-futuristic alternate history adventure combined with thoughtful commentary on progress marks Otomo's return to feature directing. Steamboy stands as a pioneering anime movie that pushed the visual boundaries of hand-drawn animation paired with early CGI.

9. Summer Wars (2009)

A quintessential anime movie of the digital age, Summer Wars blended sci-fi thrills with heartfelt family bonds. Teen math genius Kenji is invited by his crush Natsuki to celebrate her grandmother's 90th birthday in rural Japan.

But things spiral out of control when a hijacking of OZ (a comprehensive virtual world platform) by an A.I. threatens catastrophes in the real world. Director Mamoru Hosoda crafts a fast-paced adventure as Kenji races against time to save the world by winning a high-stakes Hanafuda game in OZ.

The virtual spaces burst with color and creativity, while the focus remains on the importance of family in the physical world as they join forces to overcome all odds. As one of the best anime movies of the 2000s, Summer Wars resonated strongly by grounding its ambitious animation against universal themes.

10. The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)

The Place Promised in Our Early Days (Image via CoMix Wave Films)

This early work by Makoto Shinkai honed his trademark bittersweet style depicted through emotionally complex adolescent relationships. Set in an alternate post-war Japan divided between nations, two childhood friends are haunted by a shared dream with a girl who vanished long ago.

A sweeping coming-of-age sci-fi drama, The Place Promised in Our Early Days portrays youthful memories, loss, longing and the passage of time with great tenderness and beautiful art. The backdrop of a dystopian parallel world adds high intrigue.

But the focus stays firmly on capturing the indelible imprint of childhood friendships as the protagonists are inevitably shaped by forces beyond their control.

Conclusion

The 2000s will be remembered as a landmark decade that raised the creative bar of anime movies to all-time highs. These visionary directors leveraged hand-drawn animation alongside digital and CGI innovations to produce all-time masterpieces that influenced a generation.

Whether you enjoy imaginative fantasies, heartrending dramas, genre-bending sci-fi or steampunk action – the versatility of anime movies of the 2000s shines through brilliantly. These examples reveal emotional storytelling woven seamlessly with stunning visual craft.

Beyond surface spectacle, these anime movies tackle complex themes such as love, loss, human connection, war, dreams and morality with maturity and nuance. The new millennium brought anime films firmly into the mainstream spotlight – inspiring animation studios globally and fans forever.