25 Emotional Drama Anime Movies on HBO Max [Binge Guide 2024]

Want to know the best anime movies on HBO Max? Here is the updated list of the 25 best anime movies on HBO Max which you can watch right now.

Anime fans are a massive community spread worldwide. Unlike, popular anime shows we grew up watching as kids like Pokémon, Avatar, etc., here is a list of anime on HBO Max that is more suited for teenagers and adults.

We also have a wide variety of genres for you to explore. Can’t access HBO Max in your region? But no worries. Install a reliable VPN that will help you gain access to your favorite anime on HBO Max quickly. We highly recommend ExpressVPN for this purpose.

List of 25 Best Anime Movies on HBO Max

Here, we have selected the 25 best anime movies on HBO Max for you to explore according to your choice of genre. With these options below, there is an anime fit for everyone!

1. Tales from Earthsea (2006)

• IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
• Runtime: 1h 55m
• Original Name: Gedo senki

Tales from Earthsea follows Arren a troubled prince, and Sparrowhawk, a wise wizard, as they journey to restore balance to their world. The land is plagued by mysterious disturbances, dark magic, and the imbalance of life forces. As they unravel the source of chaos, they confront personal demons and strive to prevent a looming disaster. The tale explores themes of power, redemption, and the delicate harmony between humans and nature in a fantastical realm filled with dragons and ancient prophecies.

2. Princess Mononoke (1997)

• IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
• Runtime: 2h 14m
• Original Name: Mononoke-hime

As Ashitaka goes on a quest to find an antidote for the curse he is inflicted with, he meets San, the titular princess who has sworn off human existence based on their destructive actions on earth. It is an iconic forbidden romance story that is filled with violence and other PG-rated scenes.

The survival instinct is strong in this movie, as the characters showcase the greyness in their personalities, leaving the audience confused and unable to take sides.

3. Catwoman: Hunted (2022)

• IMDB Rating: 5.6/10
• Runtime: 1h 18m
• Original Name: Selina Kyle aka

Catwoman infiltrates a Spanish mobster party and steals a gem meant to expose Leviathan, but faces Batwoman. Captured, she agrees to help. In Shanghai, they battle Leviathan bosses. Catwoman gains amnesty but faces ongoing threats from Leviathan. Battling League of Assassins, Catwoman defeats Solomon Grundy and Werecheetah Minerva. Revealing a personal vendetta, Catwoman outsmarts Minerva, rescues trafficked girls, and escapes after warning Interpol. With the stolen gem, she heads to London, hinting at more adventures.

4. Promare (2019)

• IMDB Rating: 7/10
• Runtime: 1h 51m
• Original Name: Puromea

Promark is the perfect movie that highlights the aftereffects of the human population being invaded by a new mutant race called Burnish, which is hell-bent on destroying them. They appear at random places and cause havoc as much as they can.

The survivors, who gather around and live in the independent republic of Promepolis, face a new threat from a new terrorist group called Mad Burnish and are constantly attempting to be rescued by Burning Rescue, a group of dedicated firefighters on a mission to rescue the victims.

5. Pom Poko (1994)

• IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
• Runtime: 1h 59m
• Original Name: Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko

This movie focuses on the lives of shape-shifting raccoons called, Tanuki. As they lived in peace for years, the modern lifestyle interrupted their current style of living as the urban expansion of the ’60s threatened to destroy their homes. Instead of opting for submission to their fate, they decided to fight back to preserve their home.

6. Ride Your Wave (2019)

• IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
• Runtime: 1h 36m
• Original Name: Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara

This is a sad love story where a college student, Hinako experiences a fire breakout in her apartment. As she is rescued by a charming firefighter, Minato, the two of them fall for each other and become inseparable.

Unfortunately, Minato loses his life at the sea, leaving Hinako inconsolable and she stops going to the beach altogether. It is a beautiful and tragic story with a surprising twist, so we recommend you watch it at least once.

7. Weathering With You (2019)

• IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
• Runtime: 1h 52m
• Original Name: Tenki no Ko

When Hodaka faces some emotional and financial challenges, he pushes himself to change his fate and finally secures a job as a writer for a weird, magic magazine. Things still seem challenging for him as it rains every day where he lives, and he takes it as a sign of his unfortunate fate.

However, he ends up meeting Hina, a smart and strong girl who has the power to control the weather. Watch how the two of them make the plot interesting with their unique skills and the magic of fate bringing them together.

8. The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

• IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
• Runtime: 2h 17m
• Original Name: Kaguya-hime no Monogatari

When an old man who sells bamboo finds a young princess who is the size of his finger, he takes her to the king because she deserves to be raised in a royal household. The king’s priest names her Kaguya.

As she grows up, she has many men proposing to her for marriage, but she refuses to marry them unless they offer her a unique gift. This is a good watch and a departure from the usual art style of animes.

9. Only Yesterday (1991)

• IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
• Runtime: 1h 59m
• Original Name: Omoide Poro Poro

As Taeko Okajima, who had lived her entire life in Tokyo goes back to her hometown to be with her family, she recalls her time as a schoolgirl and all the delightful things she did as a kid. She is picked up by Toshio, a young farmer whom she instantly befriends as they make their way to their homes.

Throughout her time there, she makes lasting friendships and learns the joy of living in a rural area. This is a great addition to the 25 best anime movies on HBO Max for you to stream away.

10. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

• IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
• Runtime: 1h 59m
• Original Name: Hauru no Ugoku Shiro

This a movie that highlights the effects of jealousy on a person, especially if it is fueled by magic powers. As Sophie and Howl become friends and get close to each other, it angers the wicked Witch of Waste who casts a curse on Sophie so she could age too soon.

This puts Howl on a mission to defeat the witch and give Sophie back her youth.

11. Castle in the Sky (1986)

• IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
• Runtime: 2h 5m
• Original Name: Tenkū no Shiro Rapyuta

When a young boy befriends Sheeta, a girl who floated down from the sky to save herself from chasing pirates, army, and secret government agents, the two of them begin a mission where they go on a high-flying adventure. The movie also uncovers Sheeta’s identity as they visit the floating castle in the sky in a long-lost civilization.

12. The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (2017)

• IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
• Runtime: 1h 32m
• Original Name: Yoru wa Mijikashi Aruke yo Otome

This is a movie that is simply based on teenage infatuations where a group of teenage girls enjoy the nightlife. One of the Sophomore girls in the group, which is known as the, “The Girl with Black Hair” gets approached by another student, Senpai, who has a huge crush on her and finds silly ways to run into her and spark a conversation.

13. When Marnie Was There (2014)

• IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
• Runtime: 1h 43m
• Original Name: Omoide no Mānī

When Anna Sasaki faces episodes of asthma attacks, she experiences some distressing emotional and psychological symptoms which causes her to stay secluded in her room. Worried, her foster parents sent her to the countryside on her doctor’s recommendation.

There, she lives with her uncle and aunt near the sea. One day, she wanders around and finds herself at a deserted mansion, the Marsh House, where she finds Marnie.

14. The Cat Returns (2002)

• IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
• Runtime: 1h 15m
• Original Name: Neko no Ongaeshi

When Haru Yoshioka saves a cat’s life, she learns that he is the Prince of the Cat Kingdom. Before she can process anything, she is pulled into the world of cats and is even forced to marry the Cat Prince.

As Haru tries to go back to the human world, she learns that the only way to do that is to find her authentic self, which confuses her because she slowly begins to ease into the world of cats.

15. My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999)

• IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
• Runtime: 1h 44m
• Original Name: Hōhokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun

This is a very family-themed movie that focuses on the lives of the Yamada family: They are based on Takashi and Matsuko (the father and mother), Shige (Matsuko’s mother), Noboru (the son), Nonoko (the daughter), and Pochi (their family dog). The movie showcases how they live their lives with a sprinkle of fun and and sibling rivalry over their television hours, as well as the wisdom the adults of the house showcase to their kids.

16. Your Name (2016)

• IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
• Runtime: 1h 47m
• Original Name: Kimi no Na wa

When two teenagers discover their ability to swap bodies, things rightfully get complicated for the two of them as they finally decide to meet in person. The purpose of this swapping was for the girl to experience the life of a boy in Tokyo as he also gets intrigued to try out her lifestyle. This is an interesting watch so try it out if that’s the genre you like.

17. Ponyo (2008)

• IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
• Runtime: 1h 40m
• Original Name: Gake no Ue no Ponyo

Ponyo is the story of a wizard, Fujimoto, who abandons human civilization to live in the ocean and get to know marine life well. He aims to explore the powers of the ‘water of life’, which is a liquid essential for the survival of marine life.

His entire purpose for all that is to bring the ocean back to its former glory before it becomes corrupted by the actions of humans.

18. Belle (2021)

• IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
• Runtime: 2h 1m
• Original Name: Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime

Shy high schooler Suzu joins the massive virtual world of “U” and becomes a massively popular singer, a level of fame and recognition she would never dream of having in her real life. A mysterious beast in the virtual world is on the run from persecution, and Suzu seeks to find the truth about it and, in the process, find meaning in her life, both real and virtual.

19. Earwig and the Witch (2020)

• IMDB Rating: 4.7/10
• Runtime: 1h 22m
• Original Name: Âya to majo

Earwig and the Witch follows Earwig, a cunning orphan, who is adopted by a mysterious witch named Bella Yaga. Initially resistant to her magical new surroundings, Earwig uses her wit to outsmart the witch and gain the upper hand. As she navigates her unconventional upbringing in a magical household, Earwig discovers the power of friendship and resourcefulness. The animated tale, based on Diana Wynne Jones’ novel, weaves a charming story of a clever young girl finding her way in a fantastical world of spells and surprises.

20. The Wind Rises (2013)

• IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
• Runtime: 2h 6m
• Original Name: Kaze Tachinu

A rarity in the genre, The Wind Rises is a biopic anime. The central character of the anime film is a fictional version of aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the World War II AM Zero fighter planes. The plot follows his love of aviation, leading to the creation of the Japanese fighter planes.

21. Your Name. (2016)

• IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
• Runtime: 1h 46m
• Original Name: Kimi no na wa.

Your Name. revolves around Mitsuha, a small-town girl, and Taki, a Tokyo boy, who mysteriously swap bodies. Despite initial confusion, they start communicating through notes and messages to navigate each other’s lives. As they uncover the supernatural link binding them, a celestial event threatens their connection. The narrative weaves romance, fate, and a touch of the supernatural, exploring themes of identity and destiny. The film, directed by Makoto Shinkai, captivates with its breathtaking animation, emotional depth, and profound exploration of interconnected lives.

22. Whisper of the Heart (1995)

• IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
• Runtime: 1h 51m
• Original Name: Mimi wo Sumaseba

This massive hit anime follows the adventures of Shizuku, a young girl who loves to read books and dreams of becoming a writer one day. One day, she discovers that all the books she has borrowed from the library were also once borrowed by one boy.

Shizuku intends to find this mysterious boy as he is similar to her in many aspects, mainly through the books they read.

23. Spirited Away (2001)

• IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
• Runtime: 2h 5m
• Original Name: Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi

Spirited Away revolves around the story of Chihiro and her family, who are supposed to move to another city to start a new life. During their journey, her father suggests they take a shorter route, but they end up lost. Their journey lands them in an abandoned village, where they sit inside a restaurant to eat and rest.

But, as Chihiro continues to explore the place as her parents dine, a mysterious man called Haku warns her about staying in that place and tells her to leave before nightfall.

24. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

• IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
• Runtime: 1h 31m
• Original Name: Kokuriko-zaka Kara

A sweet anime set in Yokohama, where preparations are underway for the 1963 Tokyo Olympics. Umi is a girl who lives in a boarding house. She and her school friends are trying to save the activities center of their school from being demolished as part of the new constructions for the Olympics.

25. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

• IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
• Runtime: 1h 34m
• Original Name: Karigurashi no Arietty

Arrietty, a little girl of non-human species, lives with her family in the basement of a suburban house without knowing the owners and staff. She comes out of her hiding only once in a while to steal essentials for their survival, like sugar cubes, etc.

However, things go out of hand when Shawn, a 12-year-old, meets Arrietty and builds a bond with her, which ends up being fatal for her family.

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Final Thoughts

To sum it up, we hope that you have found the 25 best anime movies on HBO Max to binge this holiday season. As an anime lover, there is nothing more comforting than to be all cozy in your room on the weekend and binge-watch your favorite anime with no trouble in your mind.

Make the most of your breaks with the list of shows mentioned above and have the time of your life that way. Also, subscribe to a reliable VPN, like ExpressVPN, to stream the 25 best anime movies on HBO Max easily if they are unavailable in your region.

Read More:

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Betty Carter

Betty is an enthusiastic Computer Science Graduate and an extrovert who loves to watch Netflix, and is a binge-watcher always seeking quality shows to add to her watch history! She loves to write about the show, she has watched, to make her readers acknowledge them, and witness a cherished time with friends, and family!