Though the Naruto anime wrapped up years ago, we’re always game for a rewatch. But unless you’ve got endless free time to sit through all 11 feature-length films and 12 shorts, you may want to skip a few. Still, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the movie lineup, and we’ve narrowed it down to the ones that truly stand out. Sorry to say, not every film is worth your time. Here are the best Naruto movies.
What are the best Naruto movies?
One of the best-known anime series worldwide, Naruto is a feel-good story of friendship and adventure. A staple of the manga market, the series (which ran from 1999 to 2014) is often mentioned as one of the “Big Three,” alongside One Piece and Bleach. With over 250 million copies sold globally, the manga is a juggernaut, and the anime adaptation (2002–2007) became a global phenomenon. At one point, it was crowned the most popular kids’ show in more than 83 countries. Pretty impressive.
But enough fun facts. Let’s get into the movies. When it comes to the best Naruto films, every fan has their own picks. For this list, we’re focusing only on the feature-length movies.
Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015)
Starting with what many consider the best Naruto movie, Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015) was directed by Hiroyuki Yamashita in his first time helming a feature in the franchise. Fans were already familiar with Yamashita’s talent, as he directed some of the most iconic episodes in Shippuden, including Madara vs. the Shinobi Army, Kakashi vs. Obito, and Naruto vs. Sasuke.
As the second canon film in the Naruto lineup, Boruto takes place several years after the end of Shippuden. The story shifts to Naruto’s son, Boruto, who struggles with living in the shadow of the Seventh Hokage. Boruto begins training under Sasuke to free his father from the Otsutuki clan. Though fans will have very different takes on how well developed these particular villains are, they’ve returned to capture Kurama and use its chakra to create a fruit that would grant them immortality.
The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)
The Last: Naruto the Movie often gets mixed feedback when people talk about the best Naruto films. Still, it’s the other canon film, actually focusing on Naruto, rather than his son. It was well-received by both fans and critics, and it definitely deserves a spot on this list. We know the first few lines don’t exactly scream “best of the best,” but stick with us — this movie has a lot going for it.
Set two years after the end of Shippuden, the story kicks off when Toneri kidnaps Hinata’s sister to steal her Byakugan. Alongside that, we finally get the long-awaited romance between Naruto and Hinata, a moment we’ve all been waiting far too long to see. And of course, there’s the action. Naruto tapping into Six Paths Sage Mode to deliver a massive, show-stopping punch to Toneri is one of those moments that reminds you just how powerful he really is. Thought Naruto was slowing down? Wrong. Very wrong.
Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie (2012)
Released in 2012, Road to Ninja holds a special place in the franchise because it was the first Naruto film to have creator Masashi Kishimoto directly involved in production. Kishimoto not only wrote the screenplay but also designed new characters for the film, which gave it a stronger connection to the manga than most of the other non-canon movies. The film was directed by Hayato Date, who also directed the Naruto Shippuden anime, making this one of the most “authentic” Naruto movie experiences.
The story follows Naruto and Sakura after they’re caught in an elaborate genjutsu cast by Tobi, the masked leader of the Akatsuki. They end up in an alternate version of the Hidden Leaf Village where everything is flipped. Naruto’s parents are alive (gut punch right there), Sakura’s parents are dead (another gut punch), and familiar characters have entirely different personalities. But Tobi’s true plan is darker: he wants to weaken Naruto and eventually extract the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside him to prepare for the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison (2011)
Blood Prison starts off with the Raikage and other shinobi leaders in the middle of a discussion when gas fills the chamber, knocking everyone out. A masked figure attacks the Raikage and almost manages to kill him. Suddenly, Naruto is accused of the assassination attempt. He’s declared guilty and sent to a heavily secured criminal facility, better known as “Blood Prison,” where dangerous ninjas are kept locked up.
Once he’s inside, Naruto discovers that the prison’s warden, Mui, has been using a powerful sealing technique to drain the inmates’ chakra. While trapped in the prison, Naruto has to survive the brutal conditions and uncover Mui’s larger plan. On top of that, there’s a whole plot about the catastrophic release of the demon inside the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Released in 2011, Blood Prison was the eighth Naruto film and directed by Masahiko Murata, who had previously worked on other Naruto movies, including Shippuden the Movie 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire and later The Lost Tower. The screenplay was written by Akira Higashiyama, a novelist who had also penned several Naruto light novels. Higashiyama’s influence is a big reason the film has a darker narrative feel compared to other entries in the franchise. Now, longtime fans of the series might be thinking, “Why would you put a movie with so many plot holes in the best-of list?” That would be your personal take. The action in this one is unbeatable. No surprise that Blood Prison ranks high on many fan and critic lists, and we’d have to credit Higashiyama’s work as a major factor in why it stands out.
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower (2010)
Bring on the time travel! The Lost Tower was also directed by Masahiko Murata, who directed Blood Prison, with a screenplay by Junki Takegami. Outstanding animation? Check. Fight sequences? Check. Excellent use of jutsu? Double check. But in addition to these elements, the story itself is a standout because it sends Naruto twenty years into the past, thanks to a special chakra. We’re suckers for a good time travel story.
In Loran City, Naruto meets and fights alongside his father, Minato Namikaze. It’s one of those “save the future by saving the past” sort of plot lines. It works in X-Men, it works here.
Naruto also discovers a younger version of the Hidden Leaf Village and a mission to protect a young prince named Sakumo. Along the way, he confronts Mukade, a rogue ninja with a dangerous plan to harness the power of the Ryūmyaku, a massive energy source that could destroy the village.
How we picked the best Naruto movies
We picked the best Naruto movies based on a mix of critical and fan reception. Our goal was to highlight the films that are canon, feature standout animation and writing, and are genuinely fun to watch again and again. A few of them even hit us right in the feels and may squeeze more than a few tears out of us — looking at you, Road to Ninja.
If you’re looking for even more of our favorite anime, check out our picks of the best One Piece movies.
