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Some genre films in the horror and thriller space are blood-soaked plates full of empty calories; they shock and awe the audience with jump scares and severed limbs, then vacate the mind as soon as the end credits begin. These kinds of films are often awesome. But they're not what we're talking about today.

We're talking about the psychological thriller, a kind of film that gets under the skin and fulfills its genre contract with the audience by deepening the relationship between the character's interior life and their exterior circumstances. These movies' set pieces of suspense and terror come from some familiar pieces of thriller and horror storytelling -- a serial killer here,...

Yearning for some classic films on the big screen? Here’s a list of all the re-releases heading into UK cinemas in the near future.

Multiplexes are full of the latest superhero romps, Academy Award nominated dramas and action spectacles, which can get a bit tiring. Thankfully, there are distributors like Park Circus, putting out some welcome blasts from the past – and we’ve just gone and made a list of them. It’s your opportunity to catch films you may have never seen on the big screen or that you simply would like to see in a cinema setting again.

Below you can find all the films heading back...

If you’ve dipped your feet into Japanese animated movies, you’ve likely heard of Satoshi Kon, a critically acclaimed director whose works are mind-bending and often disturbing. If it’s not his name that sounds familiar, you must have heard of Perfect Blue or Paprika. Not all of them will be of the same degree or even involve anything particularly unsettling, which is why we’ve decided to rank Kon’s movies, from least to most disturbing.

4. Tokyo Godfathers A still from Tokyo Godfathers. [Credit: Madhouse] Release DateDurationIMDb RatingNovember 8, 20031 hour and 32 minutes7.8

If you’ve ever watched Tokyo Godfathers, you’ll know why this is at the least disturbing rank.

“Perfect Blue”, the 1998 animated ‘psychological thriller’, is directed by Satoshi Kon, starring Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shiho Niiyama, Masaaki Okura, Shinpachi Tsuji and Emiko Furukawa, re-releasing in a fresh 4K restoration October 3, 2025 in theaters:

“…’Mima Kirigoe’, a former pop idol, makes a bold transition into acting, taking on a role in a drama, releasing a provocative nude photo book.

“Her dramatic reinvention grabs public attention, but also provokes unease among her fans, her manager and even herself as she struggles with the rapid shift from her days as a pop idol.

“But after a series of unexplained crimes, Mima begins to wonder if a split personality is gradually taking over her,...

We might not even realize it most of the time, but a lot of the movies and TV shows that we love are inspired by Japanese anime. One of the most famous cases of how anime can inspire all sorts of movies is the connection between Perfect Blue and other movies. Considered one of the masterpieces of the late 90s, the movie is being re-released in U.S. theaters with a 4K restoration, courtesy of Gkids. The movie is set to premiere on October 3.

Perfect Blue tells the story of Mima (voiced by Junko Iwao in the original Japanese and by Bridget Hoffman in the English dub), a pop music...

In the article series Sound and Vision we take a look at music videos from notable directors. This week we look at Hirasawa Susumu's Forces, from the Berserk soundtrack, directed by Kon Satoshi. This week it has been fifteen years since master anime director Kon Satoshi passed away. Five years ago ScreenAnarchy looked back at the legacy of the director of classics like the horror-thriller Perfect Blue, the dream-infused surrealist fantasy Paprika, the heart-warming genreblending Christmas drama Tokyo Godfathers and the epic film-ode that is Millennium Actress. Also included were miscellaneous works, like his grand opus tv-series Paranoia Agent, the short films Magnetic Rose (from anthology film Memories) and Good Morning.

Perfect Blueis one of the most critically acclaimed anime movies of all time. However, the late Satoshi Kon's legendary debut film was released in 1997-98 -- before anime became widely mainstream outside Japan, and when many Western fans never had the chance to see it in theaters. Thankfully, a new opportunity to do so has been announced.

Announced at the Gkids Industry Panel at Anime NYC, Perfect Blue will be re-releasing in theaters across America beginning on Oct. 3. This is not the first time Perfect Blue has been released in American theaters, as Gkids previously distributed the film for two days in 2018. However, this will be the first time...

HBO Max Adds Your Name, Perfect Blue, Shin Godzilla & More Anime Films To Its Library This September (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

HBO Max is making this year exciting for anime fans. The streaming platform is adding a big batch of Japanese films through a partnership with Gkids, bringing both well-known hits and hidden gems to its library. The deal builds on HBO Max’s existing collaboration with Gkids, the distributor behind titles like Belle, Inu-Oh, and Mirai, along with live-action hits such as Shin Godzilla and Studio Ghibli favorites like Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron.

Rare and Underrated Japanese Films Join HBO Max

The lineup will feature three movies from Makoto Shinkai, including the globally popular Your Name, along with Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Place Promised in Our Early Days, per Collider.

‘Your Name’ is coming to HBO Max on September 1st! pic.twitter.

HBO Max is expanding its anime library with a major new deal with Gkids, bringing some of the most acclaimed Japanese animated and live-action films to U.S. audiences for the first time.

The announcement, made through HBO Max and Gkids, confirms that fans will have access to a wide range of masterpieces starting September 1, 2025. Many of these films will be streaming in North America for the first time, and some will even get their first 4K release.

The first wave of titles includes works by renowned filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, including Your Name, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, and The Place Promised in Our Early Days. Alongside these, fans can catch North American streaming debuts of films like Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, Ghost Cat Anzu, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, and Love & Pop. Shinkai’s Your Name will also be available in 4K for premium subscribers, giving viewers the highest quality experience.

Anime fans have a lot to look forward to this year. HBO Max is bringing a big batch of Japanese films to its platform, marking an exciting moment for lovers of anime.

According to an official announcement, the new additions will come from Gkids, a distributor known for high-quality Japanese animation. These films will start streaming in September 2025, with more titles coming in 2026.

The upcoming lineup includes well-known hits, hidden gems, and long-forgotten masterpieces. Big-name films like Your Name will join the catalog, alongside underrated works such as Millennium Actress and the 1985 classic Angel’s Egg. Fans will also get to enjoy movies from celebrated directors like Makoto Shinkai, Mamoru Hosoda, and Satoshi Kon.

Royce Battleman, the EVP of Global Content Acquisitions at Warner Bros. Discovery, explained the importance of the deal in an official statement: “HBO Max’s continued partnership with Gkids indicates our commitment to bringing world class...

It's a pretty good year to be an anime fan. Aside from the rise in popularity of the Japanese storytelling art across all streaming platforms, HBO Max announced this week that an important new addition is coming to its library. Starting this September, the streamer will be home to a slate of Japanese masterpieces distributed by Gkids. The titles include high-profile movies like Your Name, underrated gems like Millennium Actress, and even forgotten masterpieces like Angel's Egg. The movies will be released in 2025 and 2026 on the platform.

The addition is part of a deal that expands the partnership of HBO Max and Gkids Films, the distribution company that has brought overseas titles that include Belle, Inu-Oh, and Mirai, as well as live-action titles like Shin Godzilla and some of Studio Ghibli's highest-rated movies such as Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron.

In an official statement, the EVP...

The Streaming Wars are over, and we all lost. Streaming platforms, which were once lauded for breaking the mold and producing original titles at a time when networks were restricted by old practices and traditions, are now mostly feeding us slop and expecting us to be grateful. At the same time, streamers are also consolidating, cutting back, and otherwise playing things safe.

Still, there is one area where the Streaming Wars are still very much an ongoing conflict — anime. It goes without saying that anime has never been as popular as it is today, and it looks to only continue becoming more and more popular around the world. Anime is also more accessible than it's ever been, as virtually every streaming platform has built its own healthy-sized library. There are anime-centric platforms like Crunchyroll, which is the Netflix of anime and the platform with the absolute biggest library (especially after...

HBO Max continues to add even more content to its already expansive library, striking an exclusive licensing deal with GKids to bring 20 films to its catalog. The films range from live-action to animated, with most projects targeting an adult audience, and help to cement HBO Max as one of the best streaming services for Japanese animation. Ever since the platform's launch in 2020, HBO Max has become well known for featuring most of Studio Ghibli's legendary titles. Now, with this new deal with GKids, the platform will be home to even more famous anime titles, including one recently released film that will make its streaming debut on HBO Max: The Colors Within.

In a press release from Warner Bros. Discovery, the company announced that, starting September 1, eight prolific titles from the GKids library will be added to HBO Max. Among the films that will be added are some from acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai's filmography,...

HBO Max is making a major appeal to anime fans with a slew of acquisitions that include some of the greatest anime films ever made.

As reported by Variety, HBO Max is partnering with acclaimed anime distributor Gkids to bring 20 titles to the streaming giant. The titles include works by Makoto Shinkai, such as Your Name and The Place Promised in Our Early Days, in addition to classics like Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue.

Live-action offerings such as Shin Godzilla and Love & Pop will also be included.

When Are Gkids' Films Coming To HBO Max?

A handful of anime will be released on September 1st, with the rest trickling out over the remainder of 2025 and 2026.

The following anime will come to HBO Max on September 1st: Children Who Chase Lost Voices, Fireworks, Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, Ghost Cat Anzu, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Love & Pop, The Place,...

Your Name, one of the best anime movies of 2016, has found a new streaming home alongside Makoto Shinkai's other critically acclaimed works. Gkids announced the renewal of its partnership with HBO Max, which will result in even more anime movies and prestigious live-action films being made available on the streaming platform.

In a joint press release, Gkids and HBO Max announced the renewal of their partnership, which has resulted in HBO Max becoming the exclusive home to most of Studio Ghibli's movies in the U.S. This brand-new deal between the two companies not only continues the exclusivity of Studio Ghibli's filmography, but it will also lead to HBO Max acquiring the films of Makoto Shinkai, which are distributed in North America by Gkids, as well as other critically acclaimed Japanese movies handled by the New York-based distributor. Your Name -- the award-winning anime film that arguably put...

Renowned international animation distributor Gkids has struck a new deal with HBO Max that will expand upon their partnership, with HBO Max continuing to serve as the U.S. streaming destination for Gkids’ award-winning Japanese, primarily animated features.

Already, the streamer is the U.S. home to the famed Studio Ghibli catalog, distributed by Gkids, going back to 2019. But on September 1, an all-new batch of titles will drop for all subscribers, including Children Who Chase Lost Voices (dir. Makoto Shinkai), Fireworks, Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (dir. Ayumu Watanabe), Ghost Cat Anzu, Lonely Castle in the Mirror (dir. Keiichi Hara), Love & Pop (dir. Hideaki Anno), The Place Promised in Our Early Days (dir. Makoto Shinkai), and Your Name (dir. Makoto Shinkai). Many of these titles are making their North American and/or their 4K streaming debut under the deal.

Titles...

‘Shin Godzilla’ and other hits from Japan will make their HBO Max debut in the coming months.

HBO Max has a superb selection of Japanese animation titles. Studio Ghibli films stream on HBO Max in the United States, and now the service is welcoming a new selection of animated and live-action movies from Japan thanks to a new licensing deal with distributor Gkids. The deal will see several titles join HBO Max now, with more coming later in 2025 and 2026.

Key Details: Worldwide renown: Many of the titles headed to HBO Max are from beloved filmmaker Makoto Shinkai. Fabulous fall: The first batch of movies will stream on HBO Max starting Sept. 1. First timers: Many of the movies slated for HBO Max have never streamed in North America before. Sign Up $9.99+ / month max via prime video

HBO Max and Gkids have a preexisting relationship that was strengthened with its latest announcement.

One of the best Godzilla films of all time has landed a new streaming home on HBO Max, where subscribers will be able to watch it for the first time in 4K. Shin Godzilla(aka Godzilla: Resurgence) first stomped into theaters in July 2016, and now, nearly a decade later, the critically acclaimed kaiju epic is having a true resurgence. The Toho film is heading back to U.S. theaters before shifting to streaming sometime later in 2025 or 2026, as part of HBO Max and GKids' expanded partnership that includes 20 additional live-action and animated titles.

Godzilla will be in good company on HBO Max, as the streamer is already the exclusive home of the world-renowned Studio Ghibli catalog in the United States, and it is now adding a new batch of titles as part of its licensing deal with GKids. According to a press release, the hit film Shin Godzilla, which hails...

HBO Max and GKids are continuing their partnership with an animated embarrassment of riches.

HBO Max was already the home to the Studio Ghibli catalog in the United States, which is distributed by GKids, but now they have extended that partnership to include another 20 live-action and animated titles, including important works from filmmakers like Makoto Shinkai, Hideaki Anno, Mamoru Oshii, Mamoru Hosada and Satoshi Kon.

The first drop will happen on September 1, with titles that include “Ghost Cat Anzu,” one of last year’s very best animated films, making its streaming debut; “Love & Pop,” an early, live-action feature from Anno, best known as the creator of the “Neon Genesis Evangelion” franchise; and two lovely features from Makoto Shinkai – “Children Who Chase Lost Voices” and the blockbuster “Your Name” (making its 4K streaming debut).

Coming later in 2025 and into 2026 are another crop of excellent features, including Kon classics “Perfect Blue...

HBO Max and Gkids will continue their partnership and will now be home to 20 additional live-action and animated features.

Starting Sept. 1, the works of Makoto Shinkai along with “Your Name,” “Shin Godzilla,” and “Perfect Blue,” will be among the titles having their streaming debut. HBO Max is already home to the Studio Ghibli catalog in the United States, distributed by Gkids.

“HBO Max’s continued partnership with Gkids indicates our commitment to bringing world-class Japanese animation and original films to our audiences,” said Royce Battleman, EVP, Global Content Acquisitions at Warner Bros. Discovery. “This deal, which introduces masterpieces and fan favorites to streaming for the very first time, allows us to continue delivering premium films to our subscribers and solidifies HBO Max’s position as a leading destination in the space.”

President of Gkids Dave Jesteadt added, “We are excited to continue the relationship with HBO Max and to bring...

HBO Max and Gkids announced today a continuation of their prolific partnership, solidifying HBO Max as the U.S. streaming destination for award-winning Japanese animated films for years to come.

The streaming service is already the exclusive home of the world-renowned Studio Ghibli catalog in the United States, distributed by Gkids, and now will be home to additional acclaimed and award-winning animation as part of the expanded deal.

Shin Godzilla

On September 1, the first batch of titles included in the new agreement will drop on HBO Max for all subscribers, featuring the works of Golden Globe-nominated and internationally renowned filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, along with the North American streaming debuts and 4K streaming debuts of select titles for premium subscribers:

Children Who Chase Lost Voices (dir. Makoto Shinkai)

Fireworks

Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko (dir. Ayumu Watanabe) (North American Streaming Debut)

Ghost Cat Anzu (North American Streaming Debut)

Lonely Castle in the Mirror (dir.

Blumhouse Productions, aka Blumhouse, is the leader of contemporary horror. After bursting onto the scene with the lo-fi sleeper "Paranormal Activity," Blumhouse has brought famous franchises back to life with "Halloween Kills" and "Exorcist: Believer," and backed original films such as the time-loop black comedy "Happy Death Day," Jordan Peele's masterwork "Get Out," or most recently, the messy sequel, "M3GAN 2.0." Blumhouse projects can range from the outrageously campy to the terrifyingly macabre. 

During the real-life horrors of Covid-19, Blumhouse streamed its spooky creations directly into our living rooms. It was a treat to have movie releases to look forward to during Halloween of 2020, when the studio launched a film series on Amazon Prime Video called "Welcome to the Blumhouse." These four new films, according to the studio, were tied together with the theme of "family and love as redemptive or destructive forces" (via Deadline). "The Lie" and "Black Box...

If you are ever in the need for some super slamming deathcore, look no further than Psycho-frame. The supergroup has been releasing killer merch, incredible snare blasts (shout-out interview alumnus Hunter Young for dialing that in) and all-time classic EPs for the past few years, culminating in the release of their first full-length record, Salvation Laughs In The Face Of A Grieving Mother . Astute readers will probably have noticed by now that their name is a Gundam reference, and it will shock no one that the entire band is filled with anime fans. Upon the release of their new record ad right after the band visited Crunchyroll HQ, I chatted with vocalist Colter Cuthbertson about how anime permeates all facets of the band. Was anime on or around while you were writing or recording the new album? Colter Cuthbertson : Yes! I was just finishing Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 around the...

Four of the most legendary anime movies of all time will soon have a new streaming home in the United States. The Criterion Channel will be adding numerous new titles to its growing online platform this August.

Criterion's official website shared the news that four of Japan's most celebrated anime films would be added to The Criterion Channel in August 2025. The featured titles include the 1995 cyberpunk masterpiece Ghost in the Shell, an avant-garde anime film called Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space, the 2006 psychological thriller Paprika, and 2009's sci-fi racetrack adventure Redline.

Criterion Channel Adds Legendary Anime Movies to Streaming Service

The Criterion Channel currently streams Naoko Yamada's Liz and the Blue Bird as well as five films by acclaimed Your Name and Weathering with Youfilmmaker Makoto Shinkai: 5 Centimeters Per Second, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, She and Her Cat...

Darren Aronofsky summer is upon us, as his ninth feature “Caught Stealing” hits theaters August 29. But the week before, his iconic 2010 ballerina-on-the-brink thriller “Black Swan” will return for a special IMAX 15th anniversary engagement on August 21 and 24. Searchlight Pictures will take the Best Picture nominee — and Best Actress winner for Natalie Portman — to more than 200 IMAX screens on August 21 and 24.

Directed by Aronofsky and shot by Matthew Libatique, “Black Swan” has been specially remastered for the IMAX format, joining recent premium retro screenings like the upcoming golden anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” and the 10th anniversary of Robert Eggers’ “The Witch.”

According to Searchlight, more plans to celebrate “Black Swan’s” 15th birthday will be announced throughout the year, and the company has released a brand new trailer (below) to get things started. Portman swept the movie awards season that year for her physically and mentally grueling portrayal of...

Cameroonian-American Philadelphia 76ers center and former NBA Mvp Joel Embiid has joined the producing team of “Mfinda,” an upcoming anime feature from the Tokyo- and LA-based studio N Lite. Embiid comes on board through his production company Miniature Géant, launched in partnership with LeBron James’ Uninterrupted.

Embiid will also executive produce a companion documentary, “Mfinda: Spirits of the Congo,” which will explore the film’s inspirations and behind-the-scenes production.

Joel Embiid Credit: Maggie Zerbe

Set in 1970s Kinshasa, “Mfinda” follows 13-year-old Odi, who escapes into the mystical Mfinda forest during the Congo Crisis. There, she’s transported back to the 1600s Kingdom of Kongo, where she meets another lost girl. The pair searches for a magical Nkisi that may help them return home.

The film boasts an international roster of collaborators. Alongside Miniature Géant, producers include Gkids (acquired last year by iconic Japanese studio Toho), Viola Davis and Julius Tennon...

Just when we think that the anime world can't surprise us anymore, a title like Frieren: Beyond Journey's End comes around and reminds us that there are infinite possibilities to a story, no matter how familiar they seem at first glance. Even though it originally premiered in 2023, Frieren saw a recent spike in popularity that elevated it to must-watch status. Whether you just found out about it or liked it before it was cool, Crunchyroll has excellent news for you: The anime series is getting an unbelievable Blu-ray + DVD edition that hits shelves by the end of October.

The extra-special limited edition comes in a gorgeous box that simulates the suitcase that Frieren carries around in her adventures. It also comes with a 200-page artbook that highlights the anime series' gorgeous visuals, art cards, stickers, and an acrylic standee, as well as shikishi art boards featuring Frieren and several other...

In 2004, a peculiar series took a portion of the anime world by storm. Investigative stories can be compelling on their own, but Paranoia Agent brought something extra to the genre that still gives fans chills. The series was released at a time when anime wasn't nearly as popular as it is today, though, which means that it flew off the radar of many potential fans. In a couple of months, however, this will be corrected — Mvm announced that the series is getting a gorgeous steelbook Blu-ray edition, barely a year after its 20th anniversary. The special edition hits shelves on August 11.

Paranoia Agent centers around a series of violent crimes that start taking place in Musashino, Tokyo. In the incidents, people are attacked with a bat, and the attacker gets around the city on inline skates. The problem is, the only suspect is a little boy who, in theory, shouldn't...

Christopher Nolan, a name synonymous with greatness. His films have the power to alter reality, both literally and metaphorically. In recent years, he has created films like Oppenheimer, Tenet, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and many more.

Some have watched it, some haven’t, but one film has been watched by everyone. It is none other than his magnum opus, Inception. The film has established Nolan as a visionary who would push the limits of storytelling and create unreal effects that would leave one jumping in and out of reality.

The 2010 film is an embodiment of this notion, as it features a never-before-seen plot that sometimes starts hurting our brains. However, amidst the cinematic brilliance of the work, it leaves the question of whether he used a cult-classic Japanese film to recreate excellence like no other.

Is Christopher Nolan’s Inception a by-product of Paprika’s magic?

Most film connoisseurs and...

"Supernatural" enjoyed 15 successful seasons on the air, and there are many fans out there who wish that Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) were given more monster-hunting adventures for years to come. Despite the show's success, however, attempts to expand the franchise haven't set the world on fire. The CW canceled "The Winchesters" spin-off after one season, while the planned mafia-inspired "Supernatural: Bloodlines" series never materialized due to the lukewarm response to its backdoor pilot. Similarly, "Supernatural: The Animation" was put to rest after one season before becoming a forgotten memory -- like the many spirits Sam and Dean encounter while traveling America's haunted hotspots.

Produced by Madhouse -- the legendary Japanese animation studio behind "Death Note," "Perfect Blue" and other beloved anime properties -- "Supernatural: The Animation" follows Sam and Dean as they battle all manner of beasts. Most of the episodes are retellings of stories from "Supernatural's" first two seasons,...

If you’ve ever watched a Hollywood blockbuster and felt, “Hey, this kinda feels anime-ish,” well, you’re not imagining things. Over the years, some of the most memorable and mind-blowing movies in the West have taken heavy inspiration from anime. And we’re not referring to superficial influences or “maybe kinda sorta” similarities. We’re referring to straight-up, “yoink that theme, add some budget, and roll camera” love letters.

Hollywood has always had a thing for anime’s over-the-top visuals, wild plots, and big ol’ existential meltdowns. From mecha warfare to dream-hopping craziness, anime has been the hidden ingredient in some of your favorite films. So buckle up, because we’re diving into five incredible movies that were inspired by anime. Some of these are obvious homages. Others? Well, after you know the source, you can’t help but see it.

1. Pacific Rim: The lovechild of mechs and mayhem...

What is love? For some, it is mutuality––a chemistry, care, and concern that blossoms into an equally supportive relationship. For others, it is devotion––a one-sided, obsessional affection that the lover finds selfless.

Japanese idol group Happy Fanfare sing about love, but they’re not allowed to pursue their own––such is the “No Love” clause present in their contracts. Their romantic isolation is deemed vitally important to the business of idol stardom, allowing their male fans to hold onto the fantasy of the attainable yet unattainable female. This ideal is perpetuated by meet-and-greet sessions where the quintet express fond recollection of fans’ past gifts and comments. A parasocial relationship is nurtured, but the cracks start to show when reality creeps in.

Koji Fukada is known on the festival circuit for cool, often unsettling character dramas that put the family unit in flux. Love on Trial is something of a departure: a heartfelt,...

Nora Aunor was the most awarded Filipino actress in history. Known as the Philippines’ “Superstar,” she was conferred the title of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. Her death on April 16, 2025, was a national affair. President Bongbong Marcos declared April 22 a national day of mourning. Aunor was accorded state memorial services at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, followed by a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the country’s cemetery for heroes. The Filipino diaspora around the world held memorials and shared tributes. In her final years, she frequently collaborated with Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr., with her last credited role being in his “Mananambal.” “The Fan” (titled “Faney” in Filipino) is his tribute to her legacy.

On the day of Nora Aunor’s death, superfan Milagros is devastated. As she combs through her memorabilia, she must also justify her devotion to her K-pop-loving granddaughter Beatrice and her daughter Babette,...

Joseph Kosinski's F1 movie is quickly shaping up to be one of 2025's most anticipated releases. The film stars Brad Pitt as an aging driver who is brought in as part of Mercedes' team for the new Formula 1 season. The trailers have highlighted the high-octane racing scenes, most of which were shot in-camera. The latest promo also embraces the petrol-headed nature of the movie by referencing a classic anime film with one of the most iconic racing scenes in cinema.

The newest poster for F1 was shared by Dolby Cinema's official X (formerly Twitter) account, and anime fans were pleasantly surprised with the new promo. The minimally designed poster features Brad Pitt walking away from his Formula 1 car, which is half cut off at the top of the poster, along with the movie's logo in bold at the bottom. At first glance, it's a minimalistic poster like many others.

Horror anime has hardly managed to nail that feeling of eerie, bone-chilling atmosphere that the manga establishes. Though classics such as Perfect Blue and Higurashi: When They Cry have made the transition from manga to anime or on the big screen with ease, many adaptations have failed.

One of the most anticipated yet ultimately disappointing cases is Uzumaki, a long-awaited adaptation of Junji Ito. Riddled with production problems, its continuous delays had many fans doubting it could do justice to the manga’s striking, nightmarish panels.

The Summer Hikaru Died Trailer [Credit: CyGames Pictures, Netflix]

On the other hand, The Summer Hikaru Died may be well-positioned to do what Uzumaki hasn’t. Horror anime fans have been in anticipation for something new, and with its emotional depth, slow-burning dread, and themes of possession and loss, the anime adaptation of Mokumokuren’s story could be it.

Anime adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died...

Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon are big names in the anime industry. I have grown up watching both their works. Both have served cult classics that remain unparalleled in their respective genres. The works of both creators and directors have led to a huge international exposure.

Be it Perfect Blue and Paprika or My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, the works of these two mammoth creators are legendary. But the difference between the two has always stood out to me.

While both creators specialize in anime movies, their works could not be more different. While Satoshi Kon invokes a feeling of uneasiness and eeriness, Miyazaki loves creating whimsical and fantastical tales. In fact, they are the perfect parallels to each other.

Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon have perfectly contrasting approaches

Hayao Miyazaki mainly creates movies for children. His target has always been children, and adults are simply a secondary thought in his works.

This week's episode of AMC's hit period drama Dark Winds takes a hallucinatory journey into the troubled mind of Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon). As a drugged dart sends him on a surreal journey through his past and present, the show's creators used a variety of inspirations to craft the episode's striking visuals. Variety discussed the episode's cinematic inspirations with episode director Erica Tremblay.

The episode sees Leaphorn confronted with his professional and personal crises, which have come to a head this season, and also unearths a long-buried trauma; witnessing the sexual abuse of his cousin at the hands of a priest during their time at boarding school. Those memories are conveyed in a phantasmagorical sequence whose influences were carefully chosen to reflect Leaphorn's state of mind. Says Tremblay, "I watched a lot of anime, such as Perfect Blue. David Lynch was a huge inspiration in this episode, and thinking...

Well, Twisted Devotion is a story which tells you what is going to happen before it shows you. Picture this – a world renowned pop-star who has no bodyguards, which makes her an easy target for kidnapping; her boyfriend who is a scapegoat and not the savior she needs, and lastly, a stalker who is as sensitive and scared as his victims.

Films about stalkers obsessed with people in the public eye have been a staple since as long as psychological thrillers have existed. From the Stephen King classic, Misery, where an obsessive fan rescues her favorite author after a car crash, only to kidnap him in order to compel him to rewrite the ending of his book according to her own liking; to the anime masterpiece Perfect Blue by Satoshi Kon, which elevates the para-social relationship of a fan and the object of their adulation, through a visually rich landscape...

In the cold open for Dead Talents Society, the new film by director John Hsu (2019’s Detention), a young woman enters hotel room 414. Bizarre events quickly add up, including a whole wall that is suddenly plastered with glamour pictures of a woman. Then the closet door creeps open and the woman from the picture emerges. She slowly begins walking backwards down the hall before going into a bone-cracking back bend, scurrying on all fours towards her terrified victim.

Before the scare can even sink in, the action pauses, revealing that this is footage being played on a supernatural talk show. The scary woman is revealed to be Catherine (Sandrine Pinna), arguably the most famous ghost in the world thanks to her incredibly effective urban legend. The talk show is made for and run by dead people, who compose a whole other world: a “scare the living” world of entertainment with its own rules and hierarchy.

Adam Scott's Lumon Industries escapades on Apple TV+'s Severance got the world spellbound. The series is simple but effective in its deployment of a sci-fi dystopia. It's not shy about stillness, sparse dialogue, and the story twists slowly, simmering beneath the surface before finally boiling over. Severance takes its deceptively tame approach and weaves an existential dread to permeate the series. Season 2 is now in the rearview, an abundant success worth the three-year wait after Season 1.

Yet there's good news. All those ingredients audiences love about Severence can be found in an unlikely medium: anime. Anime pushes boundaries that the Ben Stiller-produced series loves to. Existential exploration into identities runs through realms that feel impossible to execute through conventional filming. Several standout anime mirror Severance's stylish aesthetic and its fascination with memory and self. Be sure to let your Innie know about the must-watch anime to serve as a Severance hold-over below.

Anime has become such a global phenomenon and an artistic style of its own that its influence — both in visuals and writing — can be felt in major Hollywood films. What's more, some of the most popular and respected filmmakers and actors in the industry produced these films. From sly nods to massive tributes, these Hollywood films made sure that audiences around the world knew how much they owed to anime's creative spirit.

It should be noted that these films wore their anime influences proudly on their sleeves, unlike the oft-cited Black Swan and Inception. In the latter's case, directors Darren Aronofsky and Christopher Nolan denied any overt or subtle similarities between their films to certain anime. Respectively, the late great Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue and Paprika.

Creed III's Fights Were Inspired More by Anime Than Real Boxing Streaming on Prime VideoImage via Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

When Michael B. Jordan...

Since its surprising theatrical run, The Substance has established itself as an instant classic. It showcased incredible horror scenes and brilliant makeup effects and opened the door for other body horror films in the years ahead. Movies like Together have been picked up by major studios after The Substance‘s success, and there will undeniably be more body horror flicks in production because of Fargeat’s masterpiece. While we wait for those movies, let’s check out some of the great horror, comedy, and drama films that both inspired The Substance and will appeal to fans of the movie.

1. American Mary (2012) Directed by Jen Soska & Sylvia Soska

While The Substance is a little heavy on its themes around plastic surgery to maintain youth, American Mary never hesitates to make this part of the text. The indie horror film might not feature great performances, but it does nail a campy, hedonistic...

There’s no doubt Hayao Miyazaki and Makoto Shinkai have made banger movies that took anime films’ popularity to a global level, and they do get a lot of love for that. But how can we forget there was another genius in the Japanese anime film industry that even Japanese people don’t talk about much nowadays? It’s none other than Satoshi Kon!

Satoshi Kon’s last film Paprika | Credit: Studio Madhouse

His movies are truly one-of-a-kind, blending psychology, social commentary, and stunning visuals in a way that’s still hard to replicate. From the mind-bending surrealism of Paprika to the eerie social commentary of Perfect Blue, each and every Kon’s films is extremely thought-provoking and also visually stunning.

Recently, industry insiders like Mappa founder Masao Maruyama and anime critic Ryusuke Hikawa shared the same feeling of losing sight of Kon’s contributions. They also believe this is...

From explosive action flicks to grounded soul-stirring drama to suspenseful horror, anime is limitlessly diverse when it comes to tackling different genres. On top of the classic demographics, shonen, shojo, seinen, and josei, anime ventures into many stories to suit every taste, and even the most picky fans would be hard-pressed not to find something to enjoy within the medium’s expansive catalog.

However, whereas some anime genres, like battle shonen anime or high school romance, never struggle to achieve acclaim, the more obscure anime categories regrettably face prejudice from the casual anime viewer. Anime is a multifaceted medium, and limiting oneself to familiar genres could easily result in incredible shows falling through the cracks. These anime subgenres might be controversial, yet many fans might find their new all-time favorite titles within their ranks.

Harem Anime Doesn’t Always Sacrifice Quality in the Name of Indulgence Monogatari Series, High School DxD,...

Image Credit: Matt Lief Anderson With his music serving as a staple of Adult Swim’s ambiance, Flying Lotus, the producer name of Steven Ellison, was very likely the soundtrack of many fans’ formative anime years. For those who may not have heard his music while sneaking late night episodes of Trigun and Cowboy Bebop , you may have heard his works featured in series such as Carole & Tuesday and Yasuke , or felt his musical genius on Kendrick Lamar’s seminal release To Pimp a Butterfly amongst his many solo and collaborative releases. Ellison is so much more than a musician though. His directorial talents can be seen in music videos, short films, and feature length productions, with the latest of these being his sci-fi horror drama, Ash , for which he also did the music. He is not one to shy away from showcasing his love of anime, and that bled...

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Movies are often a great way to unwind after a long day. They're also a great way to socialize and enjoy a piece of art with a group of friends, or enemies, depending on the movie. Anime movies, in particular, run the gamut from romance to action to historical dramas. There's a lot of ground to cover in the medium, and many filmmakers have taken on the challenge of encompassing the human experience with gusto in a wide variety of settings. The beauty of animation is that the story isn't restricted by the limitations of what works in the physical world.

Movie-watching is not always a relaxing activity. That's not always the point, after all. Art, in all its forms, is meant to repackage and build upon pieces of the human experience, and that experience is not always a walk in the park.

The best anime has to offer comes in many different formats — including feature films, which tell some of the medium’s most potent and highly acclaimed stories in a concise, dynamic manner. An incredible way to enjoy a spectacular narrative without excessive time commitments, anime movies also avoid many of the pitfalls longer series run into much more often.

A feature length film doesn’t have the luxury to include sprawling stories or narrative detours, resulting in every scene in the best anime movies being deliberate and serving the purpose of elevating the plot. Representative of many genres — and, sometimes, even entire franchises — the best anime films are faultless from beginning to end, not losing their audience’s attention even for a second.

Perfect Blue Contains Impactful Details in Every Frame Stream Perfect Blue on Apple TV

One of the most esteemed directors in the medium’s history, Satoshi Kon...

In the world of anime filmmaking, two names stand as titans for their craft: Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon. Though their creations are as varied as they can be in terms of tone, theme, and style, they share an undeniable mastery of storytelling that has left a lasting impact on both Japanese and international anime fans.

A still from Spirited Away. | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Miyazaki is famous for his whimsical, dreamlike tales that most often revolve around adventure, childhood, and environmental themes. Whereas Kon established a niche for grown-up, psychological fiction that blur the line between fantasy and reality. In many ways, Satoshi Kon was the perfect parallel to Hayao Miyazaki, a peer force whose brilliance existed in striking contrast to the Ghibli master’s warmth and accessibility.

Satoshi Kon and Hayao Miyazaki: Two masters of different dreams

Hayao Miyazaki is often regarded as an escapist filmmaker. His movies allows...

The Niigata International Animation Film Festival returns to the Chubu region city in spring for a six-day event from March 15 to 20. The festival will be full of talks, screenings and retrospectives on the history of anime in Japan. Today, the festival revealed the line-up for the Satoshi Kon retrospective, the first screening in Japan of the Studio Bones documentary Bones 25: Dreaming Forward and the first screening of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within since 2001 and more. As part of the festival’s Satoshi Kon retrospective, which already includes screenings of all his feature films, Niaff also confirmed that Roujin Z (which Kon worked as Art Director) will also recieve a screening. There will also be talks after the screenings of Millennium Actress , Paprika and Perfect Blue . On March 15, the A Turning Point in Japanese Anime CG event will be held all night . It will include a screening of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within...

Dark anime is a fascinating world to explore, especially when they dive into the human psyche. To easily evoke emotion from humans, psychological horror does the job since it draws upon feelings of unease, tension and thrill that aren't often touched upon in regular media. Criminal Minds tells some of the darkest stories that exist and anime also has a knack of becoming just as disturbing.

Anime continues to challenge its standards by diving deeper and leaning toward more gritty storytelling. It's fascinating to see how anime categorized as dark evolves throughout the years and how it compares to dark anime from older eras. Both newer and older dark anime all exhibit common themes that they explore: mortality, humanity and moral ambiguity.

Related10 Dark Anime Adaptations That Are Even More Twisted Than Their Manga

While manga tend to explore darker themes than their animated counterparts, these anime flip that idea on its head.