8 Upcoming Anime Movies You Need to Watch in the Theatre

2025’s upcoming anime movies storm theaters: Conan, Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer, and many more release dates.

Upcoming Anime Movies You Need to Watch in the Theatre
Upcoming Anime Movies You Need to Watch in the Theatre (Source: Studio MAPPA, 4°C, and Twin Engine)

The scent of buttered popcorn mingles with the electric buzz of anticipation, it’s that time again. Anime movies are hitting theaters and storming with stories that’ll claw at your hearts, explode imagination, and leave you begging for more.

2025’s lineup of upcoming anime movies is a cinematic feast no otaku (or casual viewers) should skip. These films are screen-worthy and are theater-essential. Have a look at the eight anime movies that’re going to hit the theaters with a bang.

1) Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback

Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback
Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback (Source: TMS Entertainment)
  • Director: Katsura Shigehara
  • Theater Release Date: April 18, 2025
  • Studio: TMS Entertainment

The boy detective returns—but this time, Conan’s past isn’t just haunting him; it’s hunting him. When a cryptic one-eyed figure from his childhood resurfaces, Conan must unravel a conspiracy tied to the Black Organization’s origins. Expect mind-bending twists, high-stakes chases, and a rare glimpse into Shinichi Kudo’s pre-shrink days. 

Katsura’s debut as a director amps up the suspense with slick animation, while the trailer teases a showdown that could rewrite Conan’s future. For fans craving answers (and more AI Haibara screentime), this upcoming anime movie is a must-watch.

2) Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing

Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing
Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing (Source: Studio P.A. Works)
  • Director: Hiroyuki Hata
  • Theater Release Date: April 17, 2025
  • Studio: P.A. Works

Virtual idols meet existential crisis! When Miku loses her iconic voice, she embarks on a journey to rediscover her identity without the synthesizer. This meta-narrative blends tear-jerking drama with electrifying concert scenes, all rendered in P.A. Works’ signature glitter-punk style. 

Director Hiroyuki balances humor and heart, asking: What makes Miku Miku? The answer involves a kazoo. Whether you’re a VOCALOID veteran or a newbie, this upcoming anime movie promises a fresh spin on digital stardom.

3) ChaO

ChaO
ChaO (Source: Studio 4°C)
  • Director: Yasuhiro Aoki
  • Theater Release Date: August 15, 2025
  • Studio: Studio 4°C

Forget Shinkai—this is Studio 4°C’s long-secret passion project! After seven years in production, ChaO drops a surreal romance between Stefan, a shipbuilding salaryman, and ChaO, a mermaid princess who proposes to him out of nowhere. Director Aoki (Tweeny Witches) blends hand-drawn fantasy (100,000+ frames!) with Studio 4°C’s signature fluidity—think Tekkonkinkreet meets Ponyo.

The teaser hints at psychedelic underwater kingdoms and a “100% pure love story” that’s anything but ordinary. With Toei distributing and a Mary and The Witch’s Flower composer, this upcoming anime movie is a wildcard for 2025. 

4) Momonoke The Movie: The Ashes of Rage

Momonoke The Movie: The Ashes of Rage
Momonoke The Movie: The Ashes of Rage (Source: Studio Twin Engine)
  • Director: Yuuichi Takahashi
  • Theater Release Date: March 14, 2025
  • Studio: Twin Engine

The Medicine Seller returns to slice through another curse—this time, in a burning feudal city haunted by a fire spirit. Mononoke’s iconic ukiyo-e art style gets a 4K glow-up, with kaleidoscopic horror sequences that’ll sear into your nightmares. Yuuichi revives the series’ cryptic storytelling, blending folklore with psychological thrills. 

Newcomers, fear not: the film stands alone, but veterans will spot Easter eggs. If you’re into anime movies that prioritize style and substance, Ashes of Rage is your match.

5) Gekijoban Uta no Prince-sama Taboo Night XXXX

Uta no Prince-sama Taboo Night
Uta no Prince-sama Taboo Night (Source: Studio A-1 Pictures)
  • Chief Director: Joji Furuta
  • Theater Release Date: May 9, 2025
  • Studio: A-1 Pictures

The idol universe goes full Fifty Shades—but make it PG-13. The UtaPri boys face a scandalous “taboo” that threatens their careers, forcing them to choose between fame and love. Furuta cranks up the romantic tension with montages of shirtless rehearsals and duets that’ll make your shippers’ hearts explode.

A-1 Pictures’ sparkle-heavy animation ensures every glitter tear hits hard. While the plot’s cheesier than a fondue fountain, this upcoming anime movie is pure, unapologetic fan service—and we’re here for it.

6) Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon

Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon
Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon (Source: Production I.G)
  • Director: Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya
  • Theater Release Date: April 11, 2025
  • Studio Production I.G

Kafka’s back—and so are the kaiju! Set after the anime’s first season, Mission Recon follows Japan’s Defense Force as they infiltrate a kaiju hive, only to find a humanoid monster with a shocking link to Kafka. 

Kamiya delivers jaw-dropping action scenes (think Attack on Titan meets Pacific Rim), while Production I.G.’s CGI kaiju blend seamlessly with 2D chaos. With humor, heart, and a post-credits twist that’ll break the internet, this anime movie is a blockbuster in the making.

7) Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Castle
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Castle (Source: Studio Ufotable)
  • Director: Haruo Sotozaki
  • Theater Release Date: July 18, 2025
  • Studio: Ufotable

The Infinity Castle arc is finally coming alive on the big screen! Tanjiro and the Hashira storm Muzan’s labyrinthine fortress for a showdown that will redefine anime battles. Ufotable’s animation is reportedly “90% fire effects,” and Sotozaki splits the arc into a two-part film saga.

Part one focuses on the Upper Moons, with Gyomei and Sanemi stealing the spotlight. If you watch one anime movie this year, make it this—then pray your soul survives part two.

8) Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc

Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc
Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc (Source: Studio MAPPA)
  • Director: Tatsuya Yoshihara
  • Theater Release Date: September 19, 2025
  • Studio: MAPPA

Denji falls in love with a human bomb (literally). Reze Arc adapts the fan-favorite storyline, diving into Denji’s doomed romance with the explosive Reze. MAPPA doubles down on the manga’s gritty aesthetic, with action scenes so visceral you’ll smell gasoline. 

Tatsuya Yoshihara promises an extended finale, including an anime-original post-credits scene teasing the International Assassins arc. Brutal, horny, and weirdly poetic—this upcoming anime movie is Chainsaw Man at its best.

[Note: Theater Release Dates are subject to regional variations]

Conclusion

Streaming is cozy, but anime movies like these demand the theater treatment. The roar of Kaiju No. 8, the shimmer of Miku’s holograms, the collective gasp when Reze pulls the pin—these moments hit differently on a 40-foot screen.

2025’s upcoming anime movies aren’t just films; they’re cultural landmarks. So rally the squad, book those tickets, and remember: Watching anime alone is fine, but screaming about it in public? That’s cinema.

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