What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
For a strong first watch, choose Spirited Away (2001) for fantasy adventure, Millennium Actress (2001) for a formally inventive drama about cinema and memory, or The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) for coming-of-age time travel. These three films offer distinct ways into Japanese animation of the 2000s; the best one for you depends on the mood and premise you want.
How this list defines the 2000s—and “best”
This list counts films first released from 2000 through 2009. “Best” is an editorial recommendation, not a definitive ranking: no single taste-neutral measure settles which film is best, and a current critics’ guide to anime films covers all eras rather than this decade alone. Rotten Tomatoes describes anime, at its most fundamental, as movies drawn and animated in Japan; that is the publication’s working definition, not a universal industry standard. Its all-time anime ranking is useful context, but it is not a 2000s-only verdict.
![Digimon the Movies 4-6 Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BavV0Z0TL._SL160_.jpg)
The selections below prioritize variety in tone and premise, a clear reason to choose each film, and documented recognition where available. They are a compact starting watchlist, not an exhaustive ranking of every worthwhile anime release from the decade.
Three standout anime movies from the 2000s
| Film | Best starting point for | What sets it apart |
| Spirited Away (2001), Hayao Miyazaki | Fantasy adventure and an inviting first pick | A widely recognized Studio Ghibli feature with a documented Japanese release and runtime of about 125 minutes. |
| Millennium Actress (2001), Satoshi Kon | Viewers drawn to cinema-centered drama and formal invention | Like Spirited Away, it received the Grand Prize in the 5th Japan Media Arts Festival Animation Division. |
| The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), Mamoru Hosoda | Coming-of-age stories and time-travel premises | A contemporary-feeling time-leap story, identified as a 2006 Hosoda film in Funimation’s 2016 announcement. |
Spirited Away (2001): begin with fantasy adventure
Chihiro’s journey makes this the clearest starting choice if you want an imaginative fantasy adventure. Studio Ghibli’s official record gives the Japanese release date as July 20, 2001, credits Hayao Miyazaki as writer, screenplay author, and director, and lists a runtime of about 125 minutes. The film received the Grand Prize in the 5th Japan Media Arts Festival Animation Division. D23 also records that it was Japan’s highest-grossing film in 2001 and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. These are separate forms of recognition, not a universal proof that every viewer will prefer it.
#1 Best Overall
Sources: Studio Ghibli’s official film page; Japan Media Arts Festival award record; D23 film reference.
Millennium Actress (2001): choose a drama shaped by cinema
For a less straightforward, more formally playful choice, try Satoshi Kon’s Millennium Actress. Its cinema-centered approach makes it a natural pick for viewers interested in how film stories, recollection, and a character’s life can intertwine. The 5th Japan Media Arts Festival records it as an animated feature by Kon and awards it the Grand Prize—the same top category awarded to Spirited Away, rather than an Excellence Award or Jury Selection.
Rank #2
![A Silent Voice: The Movie - Limited Edition Steelbook [Blu-ray + DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xcVItro+L._SL160_.jpg)
- Genre: Anime
- Number of Discs: 2
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 130
- Rating: NR
Source: Japan Media Arts Festival award record.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006): choose time travel and coming of age
Mamoru Hosoda’s film is the pick when you want a time-leap premise paired with a coming-of-age story. Funimation’s February 17, 2016 announcement identifies it as Hosoda’s 2006 film and describes its time-travel setup. That announcement documents what the company said about the film and its distribution at that time; it does not establish current streaming, broadcast, or home-video rights.
Source: Funimation announcement via PR Newswire, February 17, 2016.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRank #3
![Digimon The Movies 1-3 Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51A6WUi9P+L._SL160_.jpg)
- English dubbed, Japanese language, English subtitles
Which film should you watch first?
- Pick Spirited Away for fantasy adventure and a self-contained starting point with extensive documented recognition.
- Pick Millennium Actress if a drama built around cinema and an inventive narrative approach sounds more appealing.
- Pick The Girl Who Leapt Through Time for a time-travel premise and coming-of-age focus.
That is a choice by mood and premise, not a claim that these films are interchangeable or that one ranking can decide for every viewer.
What the awards do—and do not—tell you
The 5th Japan Media Arts Festival Animation Division gives Spirited Away and Millennium Actress the Grand Prize. The same award page places other works in separate categories, including Excellence Award and Jury Selection. Keeping those distinctions clear matters: a film appearing on the page does not mean it received the Grand Prize. The awards document notable recognition, while the watch order above remains a matter of taste.
Rank #4
Source: Japan Media Arts Festival, 5th Animation Division awards.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Availability is separate from a film’s history
A past release does not tell you where a film can be watched today. D23 records a 2003 video release for Spirited Away, while Funimation’s 2016 announcement described a planned home-video edition for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Neither source verifies current product listings, streaming services, formats, prices, or availability in a particular country. Check a current retailer or streaming service in your region before relying on an old release record.
Best Value
Sources: D23 film reference; Funimation announcement via PR Newswire.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
