Over the course of airing, both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden both had several films produced that feature their respective main cast of characters thrown into different plots (which may or may not tie in with the plotlines from actual episodes). The films introduced other characters that don’t show up in the main storyline, and still managed to deliver character developments and plot twists that add to the overall world and lore. But some of the movies were duds. Here are our favorite picks for the best Naruto movies that are actually worth watching.
4. Naruto Shippuden: Blood Prison (2011)
Blood Prison starts with Naruto disturbing the Kages of other villages, which catches the attention of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade. She’s forced to throw Naruto into an inescapable prison: the Hozuki Castle. In this new environment, with a new set of characters, a new journey and mystery await the infamous hero of the Leaf. Blood Prison features a clan that’s conducting an experiment that they think will give them power—an experiment that requires a huge amount of chakra. They schemed and framed Naruto, orchestrating events to get him thrown into their very prison. While this movie still has the core friendship theme of the series, it also features fatherly love in the form of Mui asking to bring his son back after he’s sacrificed for the sake of the village.
3. Naruto Shippuden: The Lost Tower (2010)
The movie The Lost Tower is a favorite entry for fans of Minato Namikaze. It focuses on Minato (before he became the Fourth Hokage) and a young Kakashi, who Naruto and Yamato encounter when they’re brought to a past timeline by a mysterious force. The new Team 7 is tasked to capture a rogue ninja who unsealed an ancient power that captured both Naruto and Yamato. In this movie, we can see how invincible both Minato and Kakashi were during their younger days—something we only saw glimpses of in the running of Naruto Shippuden.
2. Naruto: Road to Ninja (2012)
There’s a lot to love about the Road to Ninja movie. Seeing Akatsuki as the heroes (with Itachi as the lead)? Having both Minato and Kushina alive? And so much more! Road to Ninja takes place in the world that Tobi made using the Limited Tsukuyomi, where the Hidden Leaf Village is the same… except everyone (especially the main cast) is the total opposite. With this technique, Tobi’s plan is to imprison his victims until they succumb to the temptation of this seemingly perfect world. As mentioned earlier, the movie features the mercenary group Akatsuki (though not all are present) as a group who helps Naruto in a difficult situation. Their entrance as a group is what drew most viewers (including me) to watch this movie.
1. Naruto Shippuden: The Last (2014)
This movie marks the farewell of our beloved anime series, all while launching the start of a new journey under the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations series. Though it’s titled The Last, it’s still a great movie with a great story from start to finish. This movie is the one that began introducing viewers to the other aliens of the powerful Otsutsuki clan, who end up invading the planet in the Boruto series. It also features the unwavering feelings of Hinata for Naruto, which is something fans have been waiting to see! The series also features Sasuke—who’s dedicated to saving the Leaf Village when Naruto isn’t around—and even though he only gets one scene, it’s the most badass fight scene in the movie.
Special Mention: The Power Arc
“Power” is a story arc in the Naruto Shippuden anime series, taking place across episodes 290 to 295, which is in the middle of the Five Kage Summit and the Fourth Great Ninja War. While it isn’t technically a movie, the five episodes come together in ways very similar to a movie with the storyline and progression. This arc features Naruto vs. Naruto scenes (made possible by Kabuto’s experiments), the introduction of the Reanimation Technique, and many team battles that include the Might Guy/Rock Lee duo using their taijutsu with several Gates opened. The “Power” arc also features a new form of Naruto in Tailed-Beast mode, which is only seen in this arc. This new form of Naruto has the Nine-Tails chakra tamed and used at his will. Read next: How to watch Naruto without any fillers
