Widely known as "anime," Japanese animation's worldwide popularity has increased significantly over time, making its way to the Western world during the early 1990s. Through the years, it has become even more of a hit among global audiences, with various anime series like Naruto and One Piece ascending in prominence and becoming two of the most beloved animated shows.

In the film strand, Studio Ghibli has conquered the hearts of thousands, proving that Japanese animation is some of the most visually stunning and emotionally charged in the industry. Ghibli has paved the way for more Japanese directors to translate their fantastic stories to the big screen for international audiences to cherish; naturally, this could only have incredible results, as seen in the impressive worldwide earnings of the following films. From One Piece Film: Red to Spirited Away, these are the highest-grossing anime movies of all time.

15 'The Secret World of Arrietty' (2010)

Worldwide Earnings: $151,496,097

A simple yet magical story built upon limitless imagination and creativity, The Secret World of Arrietty continued Studio Ghibli's dominance both critically and financially when it came to anime films. Based on the classic English novel, the film follows the story of a family of miniature people who are secretly living in the walls and floors of an everyday home, borrowing items from humans to survive. This family's secret life is soon put at risk when Arrietty, the young daughter of the family, is discovered by a human boy.

The Secret World of Arrietty combines the signature charm and wonder of Studio Ghibli films with the creativity and timelessness of the original story to create a cinematic match made in heaven. The film expands upon the concepts and characters of the original novel in a deeply compelling and interesting way, helping the film maintain an audience and great deals of success worldwide. It was also able to make success at the domestic box office, as Ghibli collaborated with Disney for the distribution of the film in the U.S., and it was an even bigger hit when it hit the home video market. – Robert Lee

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14 'Princess Mononoke' (1997)

Worldwide Earnings: $159,414,369

One of many masterful films under the banner of Studio Ghibli and visionary director Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke is a beautifully animated epic whose themes, messages, and action still hold up almost 30 years later. The film follows the story of Ashitaka, a prince who, after being cursed by a demonized boar god, is forced to travel to the West to find a cure for his ailment. On his journey, he finds himself at the center of an ongoing power struggle between the creatures of the forest and a growing community of humans looking to extend their influence.

Princess Mononoke was a massive critical and financial hit within Japan upon its release, even managing to hold the box office record for Japan's domestic films. The film can be largely attributed to introducing many audiences worldwide not only to Studio Ghibli and their excellent catalog of movies, but cinematic anime filmmaking as a whole. However, the majority of its influence in the US was in the home video market, as Princess Mononoke was notoriously set up for failure at the US box office, and one can only wonder how much money it would have grossed if this were not the case. – Robert Lee

13 'Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back' (1999)

Worldwide Earnings: $163,644,662

The first and most successful in what would become a long line of beloved and iconic films in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon: The First Movie saw Ash and his friends invited to a mysterious island alongside a group of other outstanding trainers. When they arrive, they soon learn that the host is Mewtwo, the deadly and powerful genetic Pokémon who was created in a lab and harbors hatred toward humanity. It becomes up to Ash and all the other trainers to take down Mewtwo before he can enact his plan to take over the world with his genetic clone Pokémon.

It's difficult to understate just how much Pokémon took the world by storm in the '90s, with the games, anime series, and trading card game all becoming massive hits that were simply unavoidable. Pokémon: The First Movie acted as the near culmination of this "Poke-mania," with children around the world wanting to go and see all their favorites on the big screen, as well as the monumental anime debut of Mewtwo, one of the most powerful Pokémon of all time. – Robert Lee

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12 'One Piece Film: Red' (2022)

Worldwide Earnings: $171,319,579

One Piece being one of the most treasured and watched anime of all time, it only makes sense that one of its 15 feature films — which is also the most recent — is one of the highest-grossing of all time. Red depicts beloved, often described as "otherworldly" singer Uta's (Kaori Nazuka) revelation to the world as she appears in public for the first time at a live concert. What viewers may not expect is that Uta is, in fact, the daughter of a well-known pirate.

With the release of a new film and new television series — Netflix's live-action hit show, which premiered in 2023 — it is safe to say that the early 2020s were great years for fans of the series. Red did not disappoint; it features incredible artwork and an engaging story that adds to the fictional universe. With over $171 million at the box office, this One Piece film earned a place among the highest-grossing anime films of all time. While it is often said to have grossed $247 million, that actually refers to the total amount of earnings that Japanese studio Toei gathered in 2022.

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11 'Stand by Me Doraemon' (2014)

Worldwide Earnings: $183,442,714