Collider names Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron the best anime movie of 2020–2025

Collider writer Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck published a ranking on Jan. 31, 2026, listing the 10 greatest anime movies of the last five years (2020–2025), placing Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron (2023) at No. 1. The list covers films released from 2020 through 2025 and, according to the author, ranks entries by originality, animation, story, influence, popularity, critical acclaim, and overall quality.

Notable entries include Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (2025), which the article says broke box-office records and split fan reactions before earning praise for its latter half; Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume (2022), a technically stunning, travelogue-style film inspired by the 2011 earthquake; The First Slam Dunk (2022), praised for its distinct visual approach; Blue Giant (2023), highlighted for its visceral jazz sequences; and Gintama: The Very Final (2021), lauded as a fitting, emotional send-off for the series.

The middle of the list features Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021), presented as a cathartic conclusion to its trilogy; 100 Meters (2025), noted for its rotoscoping and philosophical take on running; Look Back (2024), a 58-minute adaptation of a Tatsuki Fujimoto one-shot described as a masterclass in visual storytelling; and Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc (2025), called a wild, beautifully animated blend of romance and absurd action.

At No.

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