7 Best Oscar Nominated Anime Movies of All-Time (Spirited Away, Boy and The Heron and More)
Every Oscar Nominated Anime Films of All-Time!
The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature was first introduced in the 74th Annual Academy Awards in 2002. Since then only a select few anime movies have broken the cultural barriers to earn nominations at this prestigious platform and even fewer were able to grab this coveted golden statuette.
The prestigious Studio Ghibli, founded by Hayao Miyazaki, has been responsible for the majority of the oscar nominated anime movies, including the groundbreaking Spirited Away and the recent The Boy and the Heron. This article examines the history of anime films at the Oscars, analyzing the impact of each nominated work from 2001 to the present.
Table of Contents
1. Spirited Away (2001)
Spirited Away is one of the first non english language animated film ever to win an Oscar at the Academy awards. This is the film that gave Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki an international acclaim and gave anime it’s recognition in the global level.
Released in 2001 the story follows a young girl named Chihiro who gets trapped in a spirit-world in search of her parents. The movie follows her journey as she fights her fear and explore the mythical creatures of this new found world in hope to reunite with her lost parents.
2. Howl’s Moving Castle (2005)
Released in 2005 and also created by Hayao Miyazaki Howl’s Moving Castle was the 2nd anime film to ever get nominated for an Oscar.
The story follows journey of a young woman named Sophie who was cursed by a witch that transformed her into and elderly woman. In search of finding a cure for her condition, she takes refuge in a magical moving castle owned by a wizard named Howl. What follows is a story of magic, friendship and self-discovery set during the backdrop of a war engulfed kingdom.
3. The Wind Rises (2013)
Released in 2013 it was another consecutive entry by Hayao Miyazaki which made it the 3rd anime film by the same director to be nominated for an Oscar.
The story follows Jiro Horikoshi, a talented aircraft engineer and his struggles with turbulent events of World War II Japan. It shows how he tackles love, loss and ethical dilemmas of his profession and facing consequences because of his creations in the midst of a war.
4. Tale of Princess Kaguya (2014)
Directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura, The Tale of Princess Kaguya is actually based on an ancient Japanese folktale called The Tale of Bamboo Cutter.
The film follows the journey of Kaguya, a mysterious girl who was discovered inside a bamboo shoot by a bamboo cutter. As she grows into a young woman with otherworldly beauty, her presence attracted suitors from far and wide. Yet she remained haunted by her celestial origins and inevitable fate.
The movie got critical acclaim for its beautiful traditional animation, amazing score and profound themes like love, loss and nature of life.
5. When Marnie Was There (2015)
Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and produced by Yoshikai Nishimura, When Marnie Was There is adapted from a novel by the British writer Joan G. Robinson’s.
The story revolves around Anna, a young girl struggling with isolation and self-doubt who meeys another girl named Marine at the marshes. She forms a deep bond with Marnie, after finding the mysteries behind her Identity and her own past. The story discovers the power of empathy, acceptance and love signifying the transformative powers of these emotions.
The movie received widespread acclaim for its story and beautiful animation. Although it didn’t win the Oscar, its nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2016 definitely created an impact and relevance in the world of anime films.
6. Mirai (2018)
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda and produced by Yuichhiro Saito, Mirai is a heart-warming tale that explores the wonders of childhood imagination and bonds that unite families across multiple generations.
The film follows the story of Kun, a young boy who struggles to adjust to arrival of his baby sister named Mirai. After a series of magical encounters from his family’s past and future, Kun embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Mirai received worldwide acclaim for its story, animation and especially its heartfelt portrayal of family dynamics. While it didn’t secure an Oscar, its nomination in 2019 Academy Awards showcased its ability to resonate with audiences of all ages and cultures.
7. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Toshio Suzuki, The Boy and the Heron is a poignant tale set during the Pacific War.
The story revolves around Mahito Maki, a boy who moves to countryside after loss of his mother in a hospital fire. There he discovers an abandoned tower inhabited by a talking grey heron.
The film won Oscar for the Best Animated Feature in 96th Academy Awards beating competitors like Disney’s Elemental and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. This made it the second anime film after Spirited Away to win an Oscar further solidifying the global impact of Studio Ghibli and Japanese animation.
List of All Oscar Nominated Anime Movies from 2001-2023
| S.no. | Movie Poster | Anime Movie | Nominees | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Spirited Away | Hayao Miyazaki | 2001 | WINNER |
| 2 |  | Howl’s Moving Castle | Hayao Miyazaki | 2005 | Nominated |
| 3 |  | The Wind Rises | Hayao Miyazaki & Toshio Suzuki | 2013 | Nominated |
| 4 |  | The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | Isao Takahata & Yoshiaki Nishimura | 2014 | Nominated |
| 5 |  | When Marnie Was There | Hiromasa Yonebayashi & Yoshiaki Nishimura | 2015 | Nominated |
| 6 |  | Mirai | Mamoru Hosoda & Yuichiro Saito | 2018 | Nominated |
| 7 |  | The Boy and the Heron | Hayao Miyazaki & Toshio Suzuki | 2023 | WINNER |
The Oscar nominations highlight the global impact of anime, and these seven films represent some of the most celebrated works in the genre. To find out which of these films were officially released in Indian cinemas, see our comprehensive listing of Anime Movies Released in Indian Theatres from 2010 to Present.
