Anime planet tells me that out of 600+ anime I've seen, 170 are movies, so I thought I'd do a little recommendation list for those who might be interested in diversifying their catalog.

Feel free to ask about any of these!

Try watching a Hiromasa Yonebayashi film!

He is a former Ghibli director who has already proven he can carry on the studio's legacy.

Recommendations: When Marnie Was There, Mary And The Witch's Flower

Try watching a Satsohi Kon film!

A visionary director gone to soon. You can safely watch just about anything with his name on it.

Recommendations: Millennium Actress, Perfect Blue

Try watching a Isao Takahata film!

A phenomenal director whose name and work is often overshadowed by his former student and colleague, Miyazaki.

Recommendations: Princess Kaguya, Gauche the Cellist

Try some cyberpunk!

Ever wondered what the world would look like if your brain could be hacked into and manipulated at will? What about if cops and terrorists both had those powers?

Recommendations: Ghost in the Shell, Appleseed Ex Machina

Try watching a Miyazaki film!

A genuine household name who needs no introduction.

Recommendations: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away

Try watching something family friendly!

If you're craving the Disney style films of Japan, look no further.

Recommendations: Stormy Night (Arashi no Yoru ni), You Are Umasou (Omae Umasou da na)

Try watching civilian war films!

Nothing captures the scale and horror of war better than the perspectives of those not involved with military action.

Recommendations: Tales of a Street Corner, In This Corner of the World

Try watching a franchise movie!

Some truly great movies succeed by building on the foundations of a pre-existing series.

Recommendations: One Piece - Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

Try watching a short film!

A lot can be accomplished in a short space of time. With the right vision, a concept can be played to perfection or smartly subverted. You have to see it to believe it!

Recommendations: The Old Crocodile, The Red Thread (Akai ito)

Try a film with a unique art style!

Anime is a distinctly visual medium, and the big screen allows for some creative visions to be brought to life in spectacular ways.

Recommendations: Tekkon Kinkreet, Redline

Try something you've probably never heard of before!

There are more anime movies than I can count, and even after all the time I've committed to the medium, I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface!

Recommendations: Belladonna of Sadness, The Sensualist

Try a film about poverty or religion!

Religion exists at the intersection of class and race, and these films replicate the essence of what draws the downtrodden towards faith.

Recommendations: Oseam, The Dog of Flanders

Try a film about broken families!

In a world that paints a very pretty picture of family dynamics, these narratives address the realities and challenges of be connected to others.

Recommendations: Colorful (2010), A Letter to Momo

Try a Mamoru Hosoda film!

A polarizing but clearly talented director, he might just be the creative behind your next favourite movie!

Recommendations: Wolf Children, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Try something with CG or Rotoscoping!

Animation isn't just about paper and pencil, and these techniques, for better or worse, are here to stay.

Recommendations: Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, The Case of Hana & Alice

Try watching a film from Studio Trigger!

Trigger burst onto the scene in the 2010s with some of the most flawed but expressive works to hit the industry. Expand your appreciation by checking out their cinematic works.

Recommendations: Little Witch Academia (2013), Promare

Bonus picks!

663114 - For a hard hitting environmental short that alludes to the cost of nuclear war

Break Blade - For some of the best animated mecha fights ever made

Garden of Words - As an introduction to Makoto Shinkai, my least favorite but universally praised director.