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Top 10 Japanese Movies Ranked by Critics and Audiences

February 07, 2026 5 min read

Japanese cinema gave the world Kurosawa, Miyazaki, and some of the most visually stunning films ever made. These 10 are the highest-rated Japanese films by GoodScore.

How GoodScore works: We combine ratings from IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and TMDB into a single 0-100 score. Higher = better. No single platform bias.

1
Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies

1988 · 1h 29m · Dir. Isao Takahata

Animation, Drama, War

91
GoodScore

In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. After a falling out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned...

Netflix
2
Spirited Away

Spirited Away

2001 · 2h 5m · Dir. Hayao Miyazaki

Animation, Family, Fantasy

91
GoodScore

A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family.

Netflix
3
Violet Evergarden: The Movie

Violet Evergarden: The Movie

2020 · 2h 20m · Dir. Taichi Ishidate

Animation, Drama, Fantasy

89
GoodScore

As the world moves on from the war and technological advances bring changes to her life, Violet still hopes to see her lost commanding officer again.

Netflix
4
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya

2013 · 2h 17m · Dir. Isao Takahata

Animation, Drama, Fantasy

88
GoodScore

Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthrals all who encounter her. But, ultimately, she must confront her...

Netflix
5
One Piece

One Piece

1999 · 24m

Action & Adventure, Comedy, Animation

87
GoodScore

Years ago, the fearsome Pirate King, Gol D. Roger was executed leaving a huge pile of treasure and the famous "One Piece" behind. Whoever claims the "One Piece" will be named the new King of the Pirates. Monkey D. Luffy,...

Crunchyroll Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
6
Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan

2013 · Dir. Manabu Otsuka

Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure

87
GoodScore

100 years ago, the last remnants of humanity were forced to retreat behind the towering walls of a fortified city to escape the massive, man-eating Titans that roamed the land outside their fortress. Only the members of the Scouting Legion...

Anime Times Amazon Channel
7
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

2019

Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

86
GoodScore

After a demon attack leaves his family slain and his sister cursed, Tanjiro embarks upon a perilous journey to find a cure and avenge those he's lost.

Netflix Crunchyroll JioHotstar
8
My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia

2016 · 24m

Action & Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

86
GoodScore

After he saves a bully from a Villain, a normal student is granted a superpower that allows him to attend a high school training academy for Heroes.

Netflix Crunchyroll JioHotstar
9
My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro

1988 · 1h 26m · Dir. Hayao Miyazaki

Fantasy, Animation, Family

86
GoodScore

Two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest. When the youngest runs away from home, the...

Netflix
10
Naruto Shippūden

Naruto Shippūden

2007 · 25m

Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

85
GoodScore

After 2 and a half years Naruto finally returns to his village of Konoha, and sets about putting his ambitions to work. It will not be easy though as he has amassed a few more dangerous enemies, in the likes...

Netflix Crunchyroll Crunchyroll Amazon Channel

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