Naruto is an iconic anime -- and whenever an anime becomes popular, it's a given that it will receive a feature film. Over the years, Naruto has had eleven different movies. However, while each film has its good and bad points, one Naruto movie stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow came out in 2004 and was directed by Tensai Okamura. It was the first Naruto movie, and you can tell the team behind the film put a lot of effort into it, likely to show both audiences and the studio that Naruto could easily make the jump to the big screen. Set after Episode 101 of the series, it sees Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno being tasked with protecting Yukie, an actress. Their aim is to prevent Yuki from being captured while recording her next movie. However, they soon learn that Yuki isn't all she seems and is, in fact, Koyuki Kazahana, a princess from the Land of Snow. This pulls Naruto and his friends into a political schism that is causing chaos in the Land Of Snow as various groups fight for a mysterious treasure.
Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is extremely good because it continues the themes found in the main series while making perfect sense as a standalone movie. It acts as a good first step into the franchise for those who want to meet the characters without committing to the entire series. On top of this, the scenes set in the Land Of Snow look stunning, as they allowed the animators to experiment with rocky, frozen landscapes. The stark white of the snow also makes the colorful characters stand out, helping the fight scenes look even more stunning. Moreover, the film is a must-watch for fans of Sasuke Uchiha, as he gets a lot of spotlight time in this movie, which is a welcome rarity.
However, just because Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is the best film doesn't mean that the others are bad. In fact, there are a few other Naruto movies that could potentially lay claim to being the best. Boruto: Naruto The Movie is a close runner-up (if you consider it a Naruto movie rather than a Boruto movie) thanks to its fun new characters and excellent world-building. Naruto Shippuden: The Movie is a fantastic film that spotlights some of the lesser-seen side characters. It's darker than other films in the series, which may be off-putting to some fans, but if you enjoy darker anime in general, you're likely to really enjoy Naruto Shippuden: The Movie.
Much like Shippuden, The Last: Naruto The Movie is a fantastic film that is controversial within the fandom due to it moving in a slightly unexpected direction. Unlike previous films, The Last: Naruto The Movie is written more like a character-driven love story, focusing on Naruto and Hinata. While this was controversial with fans, those who can handle the genre change will be treated to some gripping writing.
However, don't think the Naruto franchise is done with theaters just yet, since with Boruto still airing, it seems inevitable that the franchise will eventually make another movie. One such movie is the long-rumored live-action Naruto adaptation, which released casting calls last year, suggesting that it will be available to watch sometime in the next few years. However, the film has had a rocky production history, so it may see future setbacks.
If you want to watch these films, Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash In The Land Of Snow is available for free on Tubi. Naruto Shippuden the Movie, Boruto: Naruto The Movie, and The Last: Naruto The Movie are not available on American streaming platforms, but can be rented from Google Play and Amazon Prime Video.
Naruto's film offerings are fascinating productions in their own right. While many anime struggle with the jump to the big screen, Naruto handles it expertly, to the point where even the worst Naruto films are actually pretty good. The franchises' willingness to experiment with other genres has helped keep Naruto's cinema offerings fresh. Films like The Last: Naruto The Movie and Naruto Shippuden: The Movie are good because they take a different approach and feel like more than just an extended episode. Hopefully, future Naruto and Boruto films will continue this trend of brave, experimental and high-quality films for years to come.
