Japan named director Rintarō a Person of Cultural Merit this weekend (our news on the honor), and Science SARU is reviving Ghost in the Shell. Both stories lead back to the 1990s, the decade that turned anime film into something Western critics had to take seriously. Miyazaki made three films, Satoshi Kon debuted, Mamoru Oshii made two of the most-copied films in sci-fi, and Hideaki Anno ended Evangelion twice. Here are the 12 best anime films of 1990–1999, ordered by SenpaiRanks consensus score.
Quick answer
According to SenpaiRanks, the best anime film of the 1990s is Princess Mononoke (8.36), Studio Ghibli's 1997 epic, followed by The End of Evangelion (8.11). Ghost in the Shell and Perfect Blue tie at 8.02, and Whisper of the Heart (7.99) rounds out the top five. Studio Ghibli places three films in the top 12 and Production I.G has a hand in three (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor 2 and End of Evangelion). The Ghibli films stream on Max (US) and Netflix in most other regions; for the rest, each ranking page lists current regional streaming.
Princess Mononoke — Studio Ghibli
The ranked list
1. Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime) — 8.36
Studio Ghibli · 1997 · film. A prince cursed by a dying boar god walks into a war between an iron-making town and the forest gods. Hayao Miyazaki's most ambitious film was Japan's box-office record holder until Titanic, and it's the top-scored film of the decade by a clear margin. Ghibli's other 90s films are ranked against the rest of its catalogue in our Studio Ghibli movies ranking. Where to watch: Max (US), Netflix in most other regions. Ranking page.
2. The End of Evangelion (Shinseiki Evangelion Movie: Air/Magokoro wo, Kimi ni) — 8.11
Gainax and Production I.G · 1997 · film. Hideaki Anno's alternate final two episodes of the TV series, and one of the most argued-about endings in anime. Watch the 26-episode show first; our Evangelion where-to-watch guide covers the order. Anno's next project, the Cosmoship Yamato: Root 2199 film, already has a release date. Where to watch: see the Evangelion guide for current regional listings. Ranking page.
3. Ghost in the Shell (Koukaku Kidoutai) — 8.02
Production I.G · 1995 · film. Mamoru Oshii's cyborg detective story about Major Motoko Kusanagi and the hacker known as the Puppet Master. It shaped The Matrix and most cyberpunk after it. Our Ghost in the Shell watch order sorts out the film, Stand Alone Complex and the rest, and Science SARU's new Ghost in the Shell project keeps the franchise going. Where to watch: check the ranking page for current regional listings. Ranking page.
4. Perfect Blue — 8.02
Madhouse · 1997 · film. A pop idol turned actress loses her grip on what's real while a stalker copies her online. Satoshi Kon's debut tied Ghost in the Shell exactly at 8.02, and it's the first of the Madhouse films on this list (see the best Madhouse anime). It played festivals in 1997 and opened in Japan in early 1998. Where to watch: check the ranking page for current regional listings. Ranking page.
5. Whisper of the Heart (Mimi wo Sumaseba) — 7.99
Studio Ghibli · 1995 · film. A bookish middle schooler finds the same boy's name on every library card she checks out. Yoshifumi Kondō directed and Miyazaki wrote the script. It's the quietest film on the list and the one people rewatch most. Where to watch: Max (US), Netflix in most other regions. Ranking page.
6. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Overture to a New War (Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Arata naru Tatakai no Overture) — 7.83
Artland and Magic Bus · 1993 · film. Yang Wen-li and Reinhard von Lohengramm's first clash at Astarte, told as a feature that fills in the opening the 110-episode OVA skips. It's the best way to test whether you'll commit to the whole saga. Where to watch: check the ranking page for current regional listings. Ranking page.
7. Detective Conan: The Last Wizard of the Century (Meitantei Conan: Seikimatsu no Majutsushi) — 7.81
TMS Entertainment · 1999 · film. Kaitou Kid and a stolen Fabergé egg make the third Conan film the best-scored entry of the 90s run. Our Detective Conan films in order guide lists all of them, and Kid shows up again in the Lupin III vs. Detective Conan movie. Where to watch: check the ranking page for current regional listings. Ranking page.
8. Porco Rosso (Kurenai no Buta) — 7.73
Studio Ghibli · 1992 · film. A WWI fighter ace cursed with a pig's face hunts sky pirates over the Adriatic. It's Miyazaki's most personal film, and it ages better than its reputation. Where to watch: Max (US), Netflix in most other regions. Ranking page.
9. Patlabor 2: The Movie (Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie) — 7.60
Production I.G · 1993 · film. Oshii again, this time with a near-silent political thriller about a staged attack on Tokyo. The mecha barely appear; the tension does all the work. If you like grounded military mecha, our Armored Trooper VOTOMS watch order is the next stop. Where to watch: check the ranking page for current regional listings. Ranking page.
10. Macross Plus Movie Edition — 7.51
Triangle Staff · 1995 · film. Two test pilots, one old rivalry, and a virtual idol with problems. Shoji Kawamori and Shinichirō Watanabe co-directed, and Yoko Kanno's score is the reason people still talk about it. For a newer mecha film, see the Gundam SEED Freedom Zero guide. Where to watch: check the ranking page for current regional listings. Ranking page.
11. Memories — 7.49
Studio 4°C and Madhouse · 1995 · anthology film. Katsuhiro Otomo's three-part anthology. Magnetic Rose, written by a young Satoshi Kon, is the reason to watch, and Cannon Fodder is a one-shot technical stunt. Where to watch: check the ranking page for current regional listings. Ranking page.
12. Ninja Scroll (Juubee Ninpuuchou) — 7.39
Madhouse · 1993 · film. Yoshiaki Kawajiri's ronin bloodbath, one of the films that made Western audiences take anime seriously in the 90s. It is very violent and not for everyone. Where to watch: check the ranking page for current regional listings. Ranking page.
Just outside the top 12
The first two Detective Conan films (1997 and 1998) both score 7.66 but would give the 90s Conan run three slots, so we kept the best one. Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (7.51), Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie (7.43), Ghibli's Only Yesterday (7.37), Rurouni Kenshin: Requiem for the Ishin Shishi (7.35) and Revolutionary Girl Utena: Adolescence (7.29) come next. Most need their TV series first. Broader 90s TV classics are on our best 80s and 90s anime board.
How to read the decade
Standalone picks (Mononoke, Ghost in the Shell, Perfect Blue, Whisper of the Heart, Porco Rosso, Memories, Ninja Scroll) need no homework. End of Evangelion needs the TV show, Patlabor 2 plays better after the first Patlabor film, and the LoGH and Conan films sit inside long franchises. Compare the decades: the best anime films of the 2000s are led by Spirited Away (8.74), whose stage version is touring North America in 2027, the 2010s by A Silent Voice, and the 2020s by Mugen Train.
This board is consensus-ordered, so it moves when you vote. Think Perfect Blue should beat Ghost in the Shell outright? Rate both and break the tie. That two-axis, vote-driven ranking is why people use SenpaiRanks as a MyAnimeList alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the best anime movie of the 1990s?
A: Princess Mononoke (1997, Studio Ghibli) ranks first on SenpaiRanks at 8.36, ahead of The End of Evangelion at 8.11.
Q: Is Ghost in the Shell or Perfect Blue better?
A: They tie on SenpaiRanks at 8.02. Ghost in the Shell (1995) is the sci-fi landmark; Perfect Blue (1997) is Satoshi Kon's psychological thriller debut.
Q: Where can I watch Princess Mononoke, Porco Rosso and Whisper of the Heart?
A: All three stream on Max in the United States and on Netflix in most other regions outside the US, Canada and Japan.
Q: Do I need to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion before The End of Evangelion?
A: Yes. The End of Evangelion replaces the TV series' final two episodes, so watch all 26 episodes first.
Q: Which studio made the most great anime films in the 1990s?
A: Studio Ghibli, with three films in the SenpaiRanks top 12: Princess Mononoke, Whisper of the Heart and Porco Rosso. Production I.G worked on three more.