The Hidden Fortress
Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress is a well-put-together film that holds up all the better thanks to its familiar story with innovative beats and filmmaking tricks and a charismatic lead in Toshirô Mifune, which earns it a spot of greatness.
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train
Between its phenomenal scenes of combat, compelling worldbuilding, and beautiful animation style, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train offers itself as a film for anyone interested in dark fantasy, fast-paced action, and/or anime drama, earning itself a spot among the greats in the process.
Maborosi
Maborosi is a beautifully made film that invites its audience to live with its characters, particularly its protagonist, in their lives and the grief and loneliness that they are processing in order to better appreciate such moments in our own lives, fully earning it a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
The First Slam Dunk
The First Slam Dunk tells a story of gripping drama and emotion through a beautiful visual medium with a cast of memorable characters, arguably earning the title of best basketball movie ever and definitely a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Perfect Days
With a pitch-perfect leading performance from Koji Yakusho and a message of appreciation for the everyday and taking joy in the very act of living, it’s easy to see how Perfect Days earns its spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Monster
By framing its story around the nature of relationships and perceptions, Monster invites its audience to better appreciate and accept the “others” in our lives and to seek to consider others’ circumstances before slapping them with labels or accusations, a sentiment more than deserving of a place of greatness.
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro checks so many of the boxes for what makes a film good: from its animation and music to its story and themes, Miyazaki gives audiences a gloriously fun film that is sure to touch the hearts of anyone who watches it.
Only Yesterday
Takahata’s examination of the ways that our childhoods (good, bad, and average) are inseparable from our adult lives elevates the sometimes-simplistic narrative of Only Yesterday and makes it into something great, worthy of mention among the greats.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Miyazaki’s coming-of-age film about a witch who delivers things on a broom achieves its level of greatness through the filmmaker’s consistently excellent animation and a poignant message about passion and commodification that is relevant for all audiences.
After Life
Kore-eda’s unique take on the afterlife in After Life allows the audience to bask in an appreciation of memory before coming to the emotional conclusion about how easily we undervalue ourselves, our impact on the people around us, and the events that we experience until it is too late.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Miyazaki’s consistently creative and stunning animation helps sell the film’s theme of appearance vs. reality, which is at the heart of its message about knowing the people in your life well and what makes Howl’s Moving Castle one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Princess Mononoke
Miyazaki’s beautifully animated film Princess Mononoke engages audiences with discussions on progress and tradition and the dangers of adhering to closely to one while ignoring the other against the backdrop of a compelling narrative about war and curses and princes.
A Silent Voice: The Movie
A Silent Voice: The Movie shines with its beautifully relevant storytelling, which is enhanced by its excellent art style and well-designed score, on its way to becoming a film that deserves its place among the greats.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
For anyone looking for a perfect comfort watch, few films will surpass the simplicity, beauty, and fascination that Jiro provides.
Castle in the Sky
Well-crafted and intentional themes that remain relevant today alongside a compellingly illustrated setting for the story make Castle in the Sky as great as it is.
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
Intentional theming to match its subject’s own works and some creative storytelling highlighted by artful cinematography are the pieces that, when put together, make Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Solid anime action combined with a deep exploration of what it means to be human keep Ghost in the Shell relevant more than twenty-five years after its original release.