10 Movies & Shows Like Millennium Actress

Description: A groundbreaking sci-fi epic dealing with psychic powers, government conspiracies, and the evolution of humanity, set in a dystopian future.

Fact: The film's production used over 160,000 animation cels, an unprecedented number at the time. It helped popularize anime outside Japan.

Description: A gentle, whimsical story about childhood wonder and the magic hidden in everyday life, with strong themes of family and imagination.

Fact: Totoro became Studio Ghibli's mascot and appears in the studio's logo. The film was originally released as a double feature with 'Grave of the Fireflies.'

Description: A psychologically intense mecha series that deconstructs its genre while exploring trauma, identity, and human connection through surreal imagery.

Fact: The series' controversial ending led to multiple reinterpretations in films. Its psychological depth revolutionized the mecha genre in anime.

Description: A cyberpunk exploration of consciousness and identity in a technologically advanced world, questioning what makes us human.

Fact: The film's visual style and themes heavily influenced 'The Matrix' trilogy. It was one of the first anime films to gain significant recognition in the West.

Description: An epic ecological fable balancing human progress with nature's sanctity, featuring complex characters and morally ambiguous conflicts.

Fact: This was the first Studio Ghibli film to receive a wide theatrical release in the United States and was at the time the most expensive Japanese animation ever made.

Description: A young girl's transformative journey through a mystical world, rich with symbolism and themes of self-discovery and resilience.

Fact: It was the first anime film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and remains the highest-grossing film in Japanese history.

Description: A magical adventure exploring love, war, and personal transformation, with a strong emphasis on character growth and fantastical settings.

Fact: The film was inspired by Diana Wynne Jones' novel but significantly altered the story, including adding anti-war themes not present in the original book.

Description: A heartfelt story intertwining the lives of three homeless individuals, filled with serendipitous encounters and deep emotional resonance.

Fact: The film is loosely based on the 1948 American film '3 Godfathers' and is set during Christmas, making it a unique holiday film in anime.

Description: Blends reality and dreams in a visually stunning narrative, exploring themes of identity and perception through a surreal, dreamlike journey.

Fact: The film's depiction of dreams merging with reality influenced Christopher Nolan's 'Inception.' It was Satoshi Kon's final completed film before his passing.

Description: A poetic and introspective tale about dreams, creativity, and the passage of time, blending historical events with personal passion.

Fact: This was Hayao Miyazaki's final film before his first retirement, and it controversially portrays the life of Jiro Horikoshi, designer of Japanese WWII fighter planes.