Though Luffy and the crew may not yet know the glories of being the Pirate King — thanks for that one, Gilbert and Sullivan — the best One Piece movies remind us that the journey is what it’s all about. While most of us will never know the firsthand thrill of traversing the seas, we can still live vicariously through countless swashbuckling stories. If you’re new to the series, have mostly stuck with the shonen manga, or somehow stumbled on the live-action series on Netflix and have no idea what world you walked into, here are our favorite One Piece movies to continue your pirate education.
What are the best One Piece movies?
Narrowing down the best One Piece movies is subjective. There are 15 feature-length films, seven original video animations (mini-movies), and 16 TV specials. Depending on what you consider a one-piece movie, this list could change. We’ll strictly be pulling from the feature films for this.
But if you’re looking for some of the OVAs, check out Episode of Merry: The Tale of One More Friend and Episode of Nami: Tears of a Navigator and the Bonds of Friends.
One Piece Film: Z
Generally considered one of the best — if not the best One Piece movies, Z has everything you could want. Between the exceptional animation and the writing, some of our favorite characters, including Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Franky, were allowed to shine. Plus, the score is excellent. Quick caveat on the animation, even though I just mentioned how great it is: If you’re an anime purist, you might be a little disheartened by the use of CGI in this one. Still, the action scenes are animated better than anything One Piece has done before.
But as any OP fan knows, the movie is only as good as its villains. And what makes Z one of the best One Piece movies is our ritual villain, rogue former Marine, Zephyr, who believes it’s his duty to wipe out all pirates. We get plenty of backstory and marine lore to make this character as interesting as he is sympathetic. It’s hard to view the guy as a monster entirely when he has plenty of reason for viewing the world the way he does. And of course, the Straw Hat Pirates have to defeat him to save the New World.
One Piece Film: Red (2022)
Released in 2022, Film: Red is a story that gets pretty trippy, blending music, warped reality, pirates, and superpowers into one fantastic movie. Directed by Tatsuya Nagamine, Film Red centers on Uta, the world’s most beloved singer, who is about to give her first-ever live concert. Fans from across the seas show up to hear her incredible voice, including the Straw Hat Pirates. But what no one expected was that she was the daughter of Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors of the Sea. And while that might not mean much to anyone who hasn’t seen the movie yet, it means a great deal to Luffy.
Now, Uta is an interesting character and helps make this another contender for the best One Piece movies. The girl can trap people in a dreamlike “Uta World.” And yes, I’m going there: with great power comes great responsibility — but Uta genuinely believes she can use this ability to create an ideal reality where no one suffers from piracy or war. Trouble is, that’s not exactly the most responsible use of her powers. Her plan threatens to merge dreams and reality in a way that could destroy the real world. The Straw Hats, along with allies and even some enemies from across the seas, have to jump in to stop Uta before her dream turns into a full-blown nightmare.
One Piece: Strong World (2009)
Though directed by Munehisa Sakai, Strong World was directly supervised by Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the One Piece manga. The story begins with Nami being kidnapped by Shiki, prompting the Straw Hat crew to chase him into the New World. Along the way, they face Shiki’s heavily armed crew and navigate the dangerous, unpredictable islands he controls. The Straw Hats must rely on their unique abilities, teamwork, and a healthy dose of ingenuity to rescue Nami and stop Shiki’s plans. High-stakes battles? Check. Epic action sequences? Double check.
Because the film ties into a specific point in the series’ continuity, it’s best to watch Strong World after episodes 381 and the Thriller Bark arc. Even better prep is episodes 426–429, which introduce our villain, Shiki the Golden Lion. That said, you could technically enjoy it as a standalone adventure, too.
One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (2005)
Does anyone remember the novel The Most Dangerous Game, where a guy gets invited to an island and ends up being hunted? Baron Omatsuri is kind of like that—but in manga form. Not the same plot, but there are definitely some similarities.
The Straw Hat Pirates arrive at a mysterious resort island run by the enigmatic Baron Omatsuri, who promises a fun, relaxing vacation. Between this, The Most Dangerous Game, and The Incredibles, the lesson is clear: don’t go to islands unless you already trust the person inviting you. The crew is initially excited for some downtime, but they quickly find out that things aren’t nearly as cheerful as they seem. Omatsuri’s friendly facade hides a darker side, and the island itself is packed with deadly traps and supernatural threats.
One Piece: Stampede (2019)
Along with the film Red, Stampede is one of the more recent One Piece movie entries and is easily one of the best. It assembles pretty much any character from the manga we know and love for the anime’s 20th anniversary. This battle-royale of a movie begins with the “Pirate Expo,” an event that draws pirates, bounty hunters, and fans to a festival promising treasures and fame, including one legendary treasure hidden by the glorious Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Naturally, this draws the attention of the Straw Hat Pirates. Still, they soon find themselves caught in a massive conflict when the notorious pirate Douglas Bullet, a former member of Roger’s crew, crashes the party. Hoping to become the strongest pirate in the world, Bullet is willing to destroy anyone in his way.
How we picked the best One Piece movies
Our picks for the best One Piece movies are, of course, subjective. Not every fan is going to agree with our choices. But we chose ones that cover a good variety while also being some of the most well-received by fans. We’ve got the best villain, the strange and experimental story, the Avengers-style assembly movie, and the one that ties directly into the manga. And even if these don’t line up with your personal favorites, there are plenty more out there that show exactly why One Piece is one of the most popular anime series ever made.
