Written by Less than five months remain before 2026 wraps up, but there are still many highly anticipated anime movies scheduled for release this year. From bringing the fantastical game world of Sekiro to life in Sekiro: No Defeat to the long-awaited sequel to Made in Abyss, or the completely original storyline of The Apothecary Diaries movie, there is just so much to look forward to.
So, among the many anime movies yet to be released in theaters this year, here are the 10 most anticipated ones, ranked by how much hype there is surrounding them. So, let’s check them all out.
10. Shiranuhi
Minato from Shiranuhi | Credits: CoMix Wave Films
Release Date: August 21, 2026
Although Shiranuhi is ranked at the bottom of the list, in terms of the plot, it can very well surpass many of the movies listed above. The film is expected to have a similar vibe to that of Makoto Shinkai’s movies, and it’s also being adapted by the same studio, Comix Wave Films. The film’s plot suggests it is going to be a nuanced coming-of-age story about a young boy. But since it is neither a sequel nor backed by strong marketing, you can rarely see any hype around Shiranuhi.
9. BanG Dream! Ave Mujica: Prima Aurora
Sakiko from BanG Dream! Ave Mujica: Prima Aurora | Credits: Nichicaline
Release Date: October 16, 2026
The BanG Dream! franchise might have a niche fanbase, but dare we say, it is one of the most dedicated anime fanbases of all time. Even among idol anime fans, this one has a particularly positive reception. On top of that, the previous Ave Mujica movie was a massive success. Therefore, expectations for BanG Dream! Ave Mujica: Prima Aurora are naturally pretty high. And it deserves the 9th place because it is essentially going to be the next major chapter for one of BanG Dream!‘s darkest groups.
8. Sound! Euphonium: The Final Movie Part 2
Kumiko from Sound! Euphonium: The Final Movie Part 2 | Credits: Kyoto Animation
Release Date: September 11, 2026
Although Sound! Euphonium: The Final Movie Part 2 is largely going to be a recap of one of Kyoto Animation’s most beloved series, there are also going to be newly added scenes and dialogue, along with upgraded animation and all. Thus, it’s pretty obvious that there would be much hype surrounding it, resulting in 8th place on the list. In fact, had it been a sequel or original movie, Sound! Euphonium could easily rank much higher. It will finally conclude Kumiko’s musical journey.
7. Girls & Panzer: Saishuushou Part 5
Miho from Girls & Panzer: Saishuushou Part 5 | Credits: Actas
Release Date: October 9, 2026
Among the many CGDCT anime (Cute Girls Doing Cute Things), Girls & Panzer is particularly popular within the community. And the reason for the hype behind Girls & Panzer: Saishuushou Part 5 is quite understandable, as it is going to be the fifth film in the six-part Girls & Panzer: Saishuushou film series. And those who are already caught up with the previous movies know that, in this one, there will be the long-awaited Ooarai vs. St. Gloriana showdown. That’s why it deserves the 7th place.
6. Sekiro: No Defeat
Wolf from Sekiro: No Defeat | Credits: ARCH and Qzil.la
Release Date: September 4, 2026
Following Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ success, there is always an underlying hype surrounding video game anime adaptations. And this time, it’s again something big. The much-beloved FromSoftware game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is now going to be released as an anime movie in theaters this year. It will be interesting to see how the anime manages to animate the notoriously difficult sword fights from the game. Therefore, Sekiro: No Defeat ranks as high as 6th on the list.
5. Witch on the Holy Night
Aoko from Witch on the Holy Night | Credits: ufotable
Release Date: November 20, 2026
If you are at all familiar with the anime community, then you must know how huge the Fate franchise is. And since Witch on the Holy Night is set in the same broader universe as Fate and Tsukihime, fans can’t wait to see it in theaters. Especially for fans of the Nasuverse, this has been a long-awaited adaptation. Also, the fact that Studio Ufotable is adapting the movie means the demand to watch it on the big screen is even higher. That’s why it easily ranks in the top 5.
4. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend
Mai from Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend | Credits: CloverWorks
Release Date: October 16, 2026
Once again blurring the line between supernatural, science, and romance, the Rascal Does Not Dream franchise is back with yet another sequel film, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend. In this film, Sakuta is again expected to deal with some Adolescence Syndrome, which has always been the main objective of every adaptation of this franchise. Among romance anime fans, this one is already insanely popular, so it totally makes sense why the film is ranked 4th on a hype ranking.
3. The Apothecary Diaries Movie
Release Date: December 11, 2026
Following the first two seasons of The Apothecary Diaries, fans absolutely fell in love with both Maomao and the overall series. Maomao winning the Best Protagonist of the Year award at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards further stands as proof. So now that a movie is releasing alongside Season 3 this fall 2026, fans are going to flock to the theaters. Even more so because the film will feature a completely original story written by the series’ author herself. Therefore, it swiftly claims a spot in the top 3.
2. Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery
A promotional poster from Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery | Credits: Kinema Citrus
Release Date: October 23, 2026
Back to back, we got another fan-favorite series from the 2010s, Made in Abyss, returning with its long-anticipated sequel after Season 2. The first season even won the Crunchyroll Anime of the Year Award in 2018. Not just that, there are two more major reasons behind the massive hype for the Made in Abyss: Awakening Mystery movie. First is that it will be the direct sequel to Season 2, The Golden City of the Scorching Sun arc, and secondly, the previous movie adaptation of the franchise, Dawn of the Deep Soul, had been a huge success. Therefore, this one deserves the 2nd spot on the list.
1. Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie – Walpurgisnacht: Rising
A promotional poster from Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie – Walpurgisnacht Rising | Credits: Shaft
Release Date: August 28, 2026
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie – Walpurgisnacht: Rising is going to be the long-awaited continuation of Madoka Magica: Rebellion, which was released back in 2013. And the core creative team behind the original anime is all back. Gen Urobuchi, Yuki Kajiura, and Shaft studio teaming up again in 2026 deserves more than the massive hype it is already receiving. After multiple delays to the movie’s release, it’s finally scheduled for August 2026. That’s why this film easily claims the #1 spot on the list.
Well then, which one are you looking forward to the most?
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
