Naruto is one of the most popular anime series of all time, which is probably why it has a total of 11 movies spread across the entire franchise. The original series and its time-skipping sequel Naruto Shippuden ran for a total of 720 episodes, followed by the sequel Boruto. Although mostly considered non-canon, Naruto’s 11 films are an important part of anime’s lasting legacy.
With the series released every year from 2004 to 2015 — with the exception of 2013 — Naruto is one of the anime franchises with the most spin-off films. Luckily, all 11 entries in the Naruto franchise are easily available online. While audiences in the United States can easily watch most of the films in the series, it’s unfortunately more difficult for international fans because of copyright issues that make streaming movies in every territory get a little more complicated.
Ninja clash in the land of snow
Release year: 2004 Where to stream: Netflix, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 82 minutes
Released in 2004, the first Naruto movie is often considered the best. Taking place after episode 101 of the anime series, Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow sees Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke tasked with protecting a famous actress, who is soon revealed to be a princess. of the Land of Snow, a land. threatened by contenders for the throne. While protecting the princess, Naruto and his comrades are drawn into a conflict that will reshape the entire snowy land.
The legend of the Gelel stone
Release year: 2005 Where to stream: Netflix, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 96 minutes
Although the second Naruto film was originally released in 2005, it did not receive a Blu-ray release in English-speaking markets until 2020. Set after episode 160 of the anime, Legend of the Stone of Gelel begins with an attack on the Hidden Village. in the Sand by strangely armored enemies with a powerful battleship. While Gaara gets his moment to shine in this first fight scene, Naruto and his teammates soon find their way into the film’s main conflict, joining the fight against a villain aiming for domination. world.
Defenders of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
Release year: 2006 Where to stream: Netflix, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 95 minutes
The final film in the Naruto series before moving on to the Naruto Shippuden series, Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom takes place after episode 196 of the original Naruto film. Due to its messy plot about bad guys trying to overthrow a kingdom, Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom is one of the worst and most skippable installments in the Naruto franchise.
Naruto Shippuden: The Movie
Release year: 2007 Where to stream: Netflix, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 95 minutes
As the title suggests, this is the first movie after the series transition to Naruto Shippuden. It’s unclear how exactly it fits into the series’ timeline, but it seems like it fits somewhere around episode 32 of Shippuden. The film’s action involves Naruto and his teammates protecting a priestess tasked with sealing a powerful demon trying to take over the world. The plot frequently makes use of fake plot twists involving various prominent characters being killed, even opening with an image of Naruto’s own death, introducing the film’s recurring theme of whether it is possible to fight fate or not.
Bonds
Release year: 2008 Where to stream: Netflix, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 93 minutes
Bonds is the second film in the Shippuden era of the franchise. Like its predecessor, how Bonds fits into the exact timeline is unclear, although it is set some time after episode 70. The plot sees Konoha attacked by ninjas Flying from a village thought to have been destroyed long ago, Naruto and his teammates help a doctor. and his assistant battle a fox demon as powerful as Naruto’s sealed demon fox.
The will of fire
Release year: 2009 Where to stream: Netflix, Funimation, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 95 minutes
The exact way the title of the third Naruto Shippuden is translated into English varies slightly depending on the source. On most online platforms where the film is available, it is called The Will of Fire, but elsewhere on the Internet it is called Inheritors of the Will of Fire. Will of Fire takes place after episode 121 of the anime and focuses on Naruto’s sensei Kakashi. Naruto’s role in the film is motivated by his efforts to stop Kakashi’s self-sacrificing plan to stop the film’s main antagonist. Although Kakashi was willing to sacrifice himself, Naruto did not want to lose his teacher.
The tower is lost
Release year: 2010 Where to stream: Netflix, Funimation, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 85 minutes
Set after episode 143 of Shippuden, The Lost Tower is another time travel story in the anime. After chasing a villain to a ruined city, Naruto is sent back to the past. In the past, he quickly joined forces with his father to stop evil from the future and save the city before it was destroyed. The opportunity to work alongside Naruto’s father was especially meaningful, as the loss of his parents is one of the defining aspects of Naruto’s character history.
Blood Prison
Release year: 2011 Where to stream: Netflix, Funimation, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 102 minutes
The Naruto movie has the most frustratingly unclear place in the timeline, but likely takes place at some point after episode 220 of Shippuden. Blood Prison is a movie set in a prison escape movie. . Naruto is accused of a crime he did not commit and sentenced to a seemingly inescapable prison. Not only must Naruto survive the prison, but he must also stop the villain from opening the box containing the sealed evil power.
Path to become ninja
Release year: 2012 Where to stream: Funimation, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 110 minutes
Made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the anime series – although not the original manga, being several years older, Road to Ninja saw Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto involved in story planning and design. design the characters. Taking place around episode 250 of Shippuden, Road to Ninja sees Naruto and Sakura trapped in an alternate universe version of Konoha where everything is reversed. For example, this universe’s Sasuke is an extroverted man. Most notably, Naruto’s parents are still alive, while Sakura died while sealing the Nine-Tailed Fox. Although Road to Ninja is ranked highly among Naruto films by fans, it is not without its detractors and has been criticized for having a plot that doesn’t really hold up to scrutiny.
Final
Release year: 2014 Where to stream: Funimation, Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 110 minutes
Unfortunately for The Last: Naruto the Movie, this will not be the final installment of the series as the next film will focus on Boruto and the next generation of characters in the next series, rather than the characters themselves. in the root. Taking place at the end of Shippuden, sometime before episode 495, The Last is one of only two Naruto films considered canon. This is largely because the film serves as a prologue to the Boruto sequel series, tying up any remaining threads from the original series. Most significantly, The Last establishes that Naruto and Hinata marry and become parents to Boruto and Himawari.
Boruto
Release year: 2015 Where to stream: Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video runtime: 96 minutes
Although the film is subtitled Naruto the Movie, Boruto himself becomes the central character. Boruto is one of two films left in the franchise that is considered completely canon. In fact, the Boruto film was the character’s first anime appearance and established many of the sequel’s tie-ins, predating the first Boruto manga by about a year and the anime adaptation by about two years. Notably, the plot of the Boruto movie will be adapted and retold through many episodes of the Boruto anime series.
What is the best way to watch Naruto movies?
Unfortunately, due to copyright issues, it is not possible to watch all Naruto movies on one streaming service simply by subscribing. The first eight films of the series are available on Netflix in the US. From there, the final five movies of the Naruto: Shippuden series will be available to Funimation subscribers. Since Funimation was acquired by Crunchyroll, it’s possible that the last five Shippuden movies will be made available on Crunchyroll, but that’s not guaranteed. All that leaves is Boruto, which is only available for digital purchase on Amazon Prime, as well as the rest of the series’ films.
What makes this situation especially complicated for Naruto fans is that no streaming service offers the complete Naruto experience. Netflix has the original Naruto and most of the movies, but is missing Shippuden, Boruto, and the last few movies. Funimation has the Shippuden movies that Netflix lacks, but doesn’t actually offer Naruto, Shippuden, or Boruto. Amazon Prime has all the movies but only for purchase. Services like Crunchyroll and Hulu offer Naruto, Shippuden, Boruto, and even a Rock Lee spinoff, but there’s a complete lack of movies. The results certainly left Naruto fans disappointed and confused.
Are there any Naruto movies worth watching?
While the Naruto movies are skippable by design, that doesn’t mean some aren’t worth watching. Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is a great standalone story that gives Team 7 more time with Sasuke before he leaves Konoha. Kishimoto’s involvement in Road to Ninja was obvious as the film is a great what-if story that shows a different side of the series’ characters. Meanwhile, The Last isn’t necessarily an essential part of the Naruto experience but serves as a sweet ending for Naruto and Hinata. Ultimately, Boruto: Naruto the Movie is the closest thing to a truly significant entry to the series, as the events therein are pivotal to Boruto’s story.
Overall, Naruto’s films are very diverse. While some are worth watching, most are unnecessary. This mainly alleviates the headache caused by movies being harder to follow. However, regardless of their quality or how difficult it is to stream them all on a shoestring budget, Naruto movies are an important part of the franchise’s legacy and can be an exciting time for big fans of the series.
