Naruto is one of the biggest and most beloved Shōnen franchises ever made. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, the series debuted in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1999 and quickly became a hit with readers. Studio Pierrot launched its anime adaptation in 2002, making the franchise even more popular. Like many beloved anime series, Naruto has also jumped to the silver screen, spawning eleven movies over its lifetime.
One of the most fascinating things about the Naruto movies is their variety. While some films are standard shōnen action pieces, others drop the characters into strange situations or new genres, and other movies are crucial to understanding the franchise’s overarching plot. But which of these films is the best, and which can be skipped?
Related
Naruto: Every Akatsuki Pair Ranked by Strength
The Akatsuki are one of the strongest factions in Naruto: Shippuden, with each pair offering something different to the group.
11 Naruto The Movie 3: Guardians Of The Crescent Moon Kingdom
A Functional Film That Feels Like Pure Filler
Release Date |
5th August 2006 |
Prince Michiru Tsuki and his son Hikaru, the heirs to the Land Of The Moon, arrive requesting protection and escort as they travel back to their kingdom after a world tour. As expected Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Rock Lee are given the task. Alas, the group soon finds out why the pair’s previous guards quit, as they poorly treat their staff due to their arrogant and materialistic personalities.
However, when the group arrives at the Land Of The Moon, they find that a mysterious figure has taken over, forcing Naruto and his friends to work with Michiru and Hikaru to save their kingdom. While Guardians Of The Crescent Moon Kingdom has some intriguing ideas, the film can’t shake its filler vibe. The plot is pretty generic, the new characters are underdeveloped, and the fight scenes are serviceable but not memorable. Because of this, Guardians Of The Crescent Moon Kingdom sits at the back of the pack.
10 Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel
Interesting Ideas That Are Not Used Well
Release Date |
6th August 2005 |
Released in Japanese theaters but going straight-to-video in America, Legend of the Stone of Gelel is the second Naruto movie. Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sakura get tangled in a bizarre situation when a mysterious knight called Temujin attacks them while they try to rescue a pet ferret. This encounter throws Naruto and his friends into a long-running war for the Gelel stone. A mysterious mineral that allows people to manipulate magical energy and massively increase their durability.
Legend of the Stone of Gelel is packed with unique ideas, and Temujin, the movie’s new character, is fascinating and unlike any other character in the Naruto universe. Alas, the film fails to do any of these ideas or characters justice, rushing through the concepts at a rocket pace, leading to a narrative that feels confused and cobbled together. Plus, while the film has some good visuals, its unusual atmosphere and aesthetic flourishes mean it often doesn’t feel like a Naruto movie, making the experience even odder.
9 Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Lost Tower
Naruto Goes Back To The Future
Release Date |
31st July 2010 |
Related
The 15 Strongest Uchiha Clan Members In Naruto, Ranked
The Uchiha Clan was home to some very powerful shinobi, and some of the strongest Uchiha Clan members went on to be the strongest in all of Naruto.
The Lost Tower is the seventh Naruto movie. Naruto, Sakura, Yamato, and Sai embark on a mission to capture Mukade, a Missing-nin. This hunt takes them to the ruins of Rōran, a desert city that once used to have thousands of massive towers. When the group eventually tracks Mukade down, they learn that his goal is to harness a Ryūmyaku and travel to the past so he can usurp the leaders of the Five Great Shinobi Nations and rule the world. However, during the struggle, Mukade activates the Ryūmyaku, throwing Naruto and Yamato twenty years into the past.
In the past, Naruto must get to the bottom of Mukade’s plan before he can overthrow Sāra, the queen of Rōran, and put his sinister machinations into motion. The Lost Tower has many appealing elements, including a scene where Naruto fights alongside his father, Minato. Plus, viewers get glimpses of several massive lore-important events. However, the movie is let down by its simplistic storyline and underdeveloped new characters, dragging the experience down slightly.
8 Naruto Shippūden the Movie
A Great Moment Ruined By The Rest Of The Franchise’s Existence
Release Date |
4th August 2007 |
The first movie in the Naruto: Shippūden line, Naruto Shippūden the Movie, starts with a bang, showing Naruto getting killed by a monster. Time then rewinds to several days previously to show a mysterious man called Yomi freeing the spirit of Mōryō, a demon with the potential to destroy the world. Yomi tells Mōryō that he can reside in his body until they can free his original vessel from another shrine, allowing the demon to start its reign of terror once more. The only thing between Mōryō and world domination is Shion, a priestess who can seal away spirits and foresee the deaths of those around her.
When news of Yomi’s plan gets out, Naruto and his friends are sent to protect Shion and get her to the shrine where Mōryō’s body is kept. However, Shion’s vision of Naruto’s death and general attitude lead to tension within the group. The biggest issue with Naruto Shippūden the Movie is that its tension is dramatically undercut by the fact that viewers know that Naruto will find a way to avoid death, making this film feel like filler despite its fun fight sequences and clever ideas.
7 Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds
A Solid Naruto Movie With Some Interesting Twists
Release Date |
2nd August 2008 |
The fifth Naruto film and the second in the Naruto: Shippūden line, this film starts with ninjas from the Land of the Sky attacking Hidden Leaf Village as revenge for their actions during the Second Great Ninja World War. During the chaos, a boy named Amaru arrives, saying that his village has also been attacked and that he needs his sensei Shinnō to come with him to help treat the wounded. While Naruto wants to fight, he, Sakura, and Hinata are tasked with escorting Amaru and Shinnō safely back to their village.
At the same time, Orochimaru orders Sasuke to find a man who can help him perfect his Living Corpse Reincarnation technique. A task that will lead to Sasuke and Naruto uncovering something horrible. Naruto Shippūden the Movie: Bonds features excellent animation and memorable fight scenes. However, the plot is a little flimsy in places, often feeling like three different scripts stapled together, dulling the film’s overall impact.
6 Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire
Kakashi Gets The Spotlight
Release Date |
1st August 2009 |
Related
10 Unpopular Opinions Many Naruto Fans Share
Naruto has its fair share of issues. Certain opinions fans share may be unpopular, but that doesn’t stop them from being true.
Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire is the sixth Naruto film. When ninjas with Kekkei Genkai abilities vanish from Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Stone Village, Hidden Mist Village, and Hidden Sand Village, people worry that the Fourth Shinobi World War is on the verge of breaking out. As the Land Of Fire hasn’t been affected by these disappearances, the other nations believe they are responsible. So, they summon their armies and prepare to invade the land.
However, when Naruto learns that Kakashi, his teacher, knows what is going on and is planning to sacrifice himself to end the situation, he rebels and tries to find a way to stop it. The Will of Fire is a fascinating film that explores the relationships and motivations of many of Naruto’s core cast. Plus, the sequences featuring Naruto and Kakashi are moving, allowing viewers to enjoy a side of Naruto that often gets overlooked. Alas, the film is brought down by some confusing and poorly written plot points and features a few annoying continuity issues, meaning it sits in the middle of the field.
5 Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison
A Genre Diversion (But A Welcome One)
Release Date |
30th July 2011 |
Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison has one of the most surprising opening scenes in anime movie history, as it shows Naruto trying and failing to assassinate A, the Raikage. When confronted about this, Naruto denies all knowledge of the incident but is arrested and put in Hōzuki Castle (the titular Blood Prison) anyway. Naruto vows to escape, clear his name, and discover who was behind the assassination attempt, but this is easier said than done, as he is outnumbered. Even worse, the guards have ways of suppressing his abilities, forcing him to be canny and work harder than ever.
While turning Naruto into a prison break drama may not seem a great idea on paper, Blood Prison proves the idea isn’t without merit. Plus, unlike other movies, Naruto spends most of the film away from his friends, allowing viewers to see a side of him they don’t usually see. Because of this originality, Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison has developed a vocal fanbase keen to see more movies in this style.
4 Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
Basic But Plenty Of Fun
Release Date |
21st August 2004 |
The first Naruto movie ever made, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, starts with Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke getting kicked out of a theater for being too rowdy during a film. Outside the theater, they meet the film’s star, Yukie Fujikaze. Kakashi informs the group that their mission will be to protect Yukie as she films her next movie in the Land Of Snow. However, the team quickly learns that Yukie Fujikaze hasn’t been truthful about her identity and that this filming expedition will be far from trouble-free, throwing Naruto and his friends into several massive battles.
Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is a mixed bag. The story lacks depth and is mostly just an excuse to set up various set pieces. However, the film’s action is fantastic, featuring several amazingly animated, pulse-pounding battles. Because of this, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is perfect for lovers of intense shōnen action, even if fans who like deeper storytelling will be left a little cold.
3 Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie
Naruto Goes To Another World And Sees Another Side Of Himself
Release Date |
28th July 2012 |
Related
Naruto Is Coming to the West With First-of-Its-Kind Mobile Apps in Development
Official Naruto mobile apps are heading to the West following startup company SEKAI’s new license and development of exciting user experiences.
After a successful mission, Naruto and his friends return home. However, as Naruto sees families praising their children, he remembers his parents and becomes sad. At the same time, Sakura’s parents embarrass her with their overzealous praise, leading to a fight between them that ends with Sakura storming out. Sakura and Naruto meet to share their sorrows, only for Tobi to interrupt. After a scuffle, Naruto and Sakura get hit by a flash of light. When the pair wakes up, they find themselves in an alternative world.
In this world, Sakura’s father was the Fourth Hokage, and he sacrificed himself to save the village, meaning that she and Naruto have effectively switched places. Plus, all of their friends have lived vastly different lives, leading to them having mirrored personalities. But, despite how nice this new world is, Naruto and Sakura soon realize they need to work out what happened to them and find a way back to their original timeline. While Road to Ninja has a similar premise to The Lost Tower, it handles the topic much better, using the idea to explore Naruto and Sasuke’s personalities and family struggles in a relatable way.
2 Boruto: Naruto the Movie
The Next Generation Spotlights The Perils Of Parenthood
Release Date |
7th August 2015 |
Boruto: Naruto the Movie is a fascinating film as its plot would be turned into the Versus Momoshiki Arc, the first arc of the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga, making it essential to the franchise’s overall story. The story starts fifteen years after the original ended. Naruto has become the Seventh Hokage and has two children with Hinata: Boruto and Himawari. While Boruto has his father’s fire and taste for adventure, a rift has formed between them due to Naruto’s Hokage duties keeping him away from the family for long periods.
So, to win his father’s attention, Boruto gets Sasuke to train him and signs up for the Chunin Exam. But when two new foes arrive, father and son must face their issues head-on and embark on an epic quest to save their home. Boruto: Naruto the Movie does a fantastic job of introducing a new generation of characters in a fun and exciting way. The film’s handling of Boruto and Naruto’s relationship is also well executed, imbuing it with a realism often lacking in Shōnen media.
1 The Last: Naruto the Movie
A Love Story That Closes The Book
Release Date |
6th December 2014 |
The Last: Naruto the Movie is a controversial film within the Naruto fandom, and it’s easy to understand why, because The Last dramatically deviates from all previous Naruto films. The film follows Naruto and his friends as they try to take down Toneri Ōtsutsuki, a man keen to destroy the Earth to punish humans for weaponizing chakra. However, the majority of the film’s runtime focuses on Hinata and Naruto’s relationship, showing how both slowly open up and accept their feelings for one another, something that requires Hinata to overcome her shyness and Naruto to improve his emotional intelligence.
While many Naruto fans were likely confused by this tone change, it’s impossible to deny that The Last isn’t beautifully written. Despite its fantastical elements, the film is grounded in well-realized and relatable emotional beats, making the whole story feel deeply human. Because of this, The Last is the best Naruto movie and a fitting end to the original franchise.
-
Naruto
Naruto Uzumaki, a mischievous adolescent ninja, struggles as he searches for recognition and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the village’s leader and strongest ninja.
-
The Last: Naruto the Movie
Hinata Hyuga’s younger sister has been kidnapped, so Naruto must do what he can to save her. Along the journey, Hinata finally finds the courage to tell Naruto how she’s felt about him all these years.