The fourth Madoka Magica film, Walpurgisnacht: Rising, just picked up IMAX screenings — the clearest sign yet that Studio Shaft is treating it as event-scale rather than a footnote to the 2013 Rebellion ending.
Quick answer
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising is the fourth film in the franchise and the direct continuation of Rebellion, produced by Studio Shaft. Per ANN, it has now been confirmed for IMAX screenings, expanding the theatrical footprint. According to SenpaiRanks, the original TV series holds an 8.14 adjusted score — the #1 magical-girl anime on the board across both the Consensus and Quality axes, so the franchise heads into this film from the top of the genre.
Where the franchise stands
The 2011 TV series is the entry point and the peak — an 8.14 that tops our magical-girl ranking. The three earlier films recap and then extend that story, with Rebellion (2013) leaving Homura's arc on a cliff the franchise sat on for a decade. Walpurgisnacht: Rising is the promised resolution.
How to catch up before it
You don't watch this one cold. Start with the TV series (or the two recap films that compress it), then Rebellion, then Walpurgisnacht: Rising. It's a four-step watch order, and skipping Rebellion makes the new film unreadable — its entire premise is built on that ending.
The read
According to SenpaiRanks, Madoka is the rare franchise where Consensus and Quality move together — it's both broadly loved and critically durable, which is why it anchors the genre. An IMAX rollout is a bet that the audience that made the TV series a phenomenon is still there. For the wider genre, see our best magical-girl anime ranking; for this season's slate, the best summer 2026 anime hub and what to watch this summer stay current. Once you've seen it, rate the series yourself — MyAnimeList gives you one number, but our board shows whether your take leans Consensus or Quality.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is Madoka Magica Walpurgisnacht: Rising?
A: It's the fourth Madoka Magica film, a Studio Shaft production continuing directly from the 2013 Rebellion movie, and it has been confirmed for IMAX screenings.
Q: Do I need to watch the earlier Madoka films first?
A: Yes. Watch the TV series (or the two recap films), then Rebellion, then Walpurgisnacht: Rising. The new film builds directly on Rebellion's ending.
Q: Where can I watch Madoka Magica?
A: The TV series and films have streamed on major anime platforms; check our where-to-watch coverage for the current regional map, as licensing shifts by year.
Q: How is Madoka Magica ranked?
A: On SenpaiRanks, the TV series holds an 8.14 adjusted score — the #1 magical-girl anime — across both the Consensus and Quality axes.
Q: Is Walpurgisnacht: Rising the end of the series?
A: It's positioned as the resolution to the arc Rebellion left open. Rate the franchise on SenpaiRanks to weigh in on where it lands.