2027 Is Going To Be The Biggest Year In Anime Movie History With These 5 Massive Releases

If 2026 felt like a quiet year for major anime movies, 2027 is shaping up to be the complete opposite. Some of the biggest anime IPs are leaning harder than ever into the trend of turning major canon storylines into high-budget theatrical events, and the slate for the next year already looks unbelievable. These five major releases could turn 2027 into the biggest year anime movies have ever had.

The biggest surprise came during August's One Piece Day '26, when Toei Animation confirmed two new movies for the franchise. The one that immediately stole the spotlight was One Piece Film: God Valley, which is set to hit theaters in Summer 2027. After nearly three decades of mostly standalone One Piece movies, this will be the first theatrical film to adapt canon material, bringing the legendary God Valley Incident and Rocks Pirates to the big screen.

But the Straw Hats are going to face some brutal competition for the top box office spot. Ufotable is also returning with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle Part 2, giving 2027 another potential box-office monster. With several other major releases joining them, anime fans are looking at a year where almost every trip to the theater could feel like an event.

The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes

Isekai fans have a major theatrical release to look forward to with The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes. The movie continues directly from the events of season 2 and takes Cid Kagenou somewhere viewers have been waiting to see him return: modern-day Japan.

By adapting the "Return to Earth" arc, Lost Echoes gives Cid the chance to bring his completely ridiculous Shadow persona back to the world he originally came from. Considering how much fun the series has had with Cid's over-the-top imagination and absurd power, putting all of that back in modern Japan could make for a seriously entertaining movie.

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System

Joining those massive franchises is the newly announced Solo Leveling: Beyond the System. Revealed during Anime Expo 2026, the movie will take A-1 Pictures' global hit to theaters after the anime's mind-blowing second season. While plot details are still being kept quiet, the title has already given fans plenty to speculate about.

If it really leads into the Return to the Double Dungeon arc, seeing Sung Jinwoo return to the Cartenon Temple and face the Architect where his journey began could make for one of the biggest Solo Leveling moments yet. The series was already built for flashy fights, and a theater-sized screen should only make those battles hit harder.

Haikyu!! vs. The Little Giant

Sports anime is getting its own major release with Haikyu!! vs. The Little Giant. As the second half of the Haikyu!! FINAL project, the film picks up immediately after Karasuno's exhausting victory over Nekoma at the Garbage Dump, moving into the Spring Tournament quarterfinals against Kamomedai High.

The matchup is especially important for Shoyo Hinata, who finds himself facing Korai Hoshiumi, another short but ridiculously talented player who has earned the nickname "Little Giant." With both sides fighting for the same title, this is the kind of volleyball match that Haikyu!! has spent years building toward.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle Part 2

If there is one anime franchise that completely rules the theatrical business right now, it is Demon Slayer. Following the first entry in the trilogy, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle Part 2 is heavily projected for a 2027 release, pushing the remaining Demon Slayer Corps members even deeper into Muzan's fortress. With some of the series' biggest fights still waiting to be animated, the second movie has everything it needs to be another massive box-office hit.

The biggest fight is easily the showdown with Upper Rank One, Kokushibo. As the six-eyed demon and twin brother of the legendary Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Kokushibo is easily the most formidable villain in the entire series aside from Muzan himself. Watching heavy hitters like Gyomei, Sanemi, Muichiro, and Genya try to survive against his overwhelming Moon Breathing is guaranteed to be a cinematic masterpiece.

The emotional side of the story is just as brutal, as Kanao Tsuyuri and Inosuke Hashibira are forced to face Upper Rank Two, Doma, after Shinobu Kocho's sacrifice fails to stop the demon. With Tanjiro and Giyu recovering from their devastating battle with Akaza, Infinity Castle Part 2 has a chance to give the spotlight to characters who have been waiting years for their biggest moments.

One Piece Film: God Valley

After decades of releasing standalone, non-canon movies, One Piece is finally stepping into fully canon territory with One Piece Film: God Valley. Slated for Summer 2027 to line up with the manga's 30th anniversary, the movie is easily one of the most anticipated projects in the franchise's history. Rather than following Luffy and the current Straw Hat crew, the film will go back 38 years to explore one of the biggest mysteries in One Piece history.

For years, the God Valley Incident was treated as one of the greatest untold events in the series. Sengoku teased it as a legendary clash involving some of the strongest pirates the world had ever seen, but the truth behind it is far more disturbing than a simple pirate battle. The story centers on a brutal Native Hunting Competition held by the World Nobles, which turns into complete chaos when the Rocks Pirates arrive on the island. It was during this disaster that Gol D. Roger and a young Monkey D. Garp were forced into an unlikely alliance to take down Rocks D. Xebec and his terrifying crew, which included future Emperors Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido.

That alone would be enough to make God Valley a huge deal, but the movie also has the chance to finally answer some of the biggest questions surrounding the incident. Stolen Devil Fruits, the World Government, and the true reason God Valley disappeared from history are all tied to the event, giving the movie a chance to reveal some major pieces of One Piece lore.

Unconfirmed Movies For 2027

Then there is the wildcard: Makoto Shinkai's next movie. After turning Your Name, Weathering With You, and Suzume into major worldwide hits, Shinkai has become one of the few anime directors whose name alone can turn an original movie into a theatrical event.

Following Suzume in 2022, the creator has confirmed that his team is working on a new project, although the story and release details remain under wraps. Recent rumors have pointed toward a heavier sci-fi direction, but nothing has been officially confirmed yet. If Shinkai really does return to theaters in 2027, his next movie could be the surprise that makes an already packed year even harder to beat.

Then there is Chainsaw Man, which could potentially add an even bigger release to the year. Following the Reze arc movie, MAPPA has yet to reveal exactly how it plans to handle the International Assassins Arc. The studio hasn’t confirmed whether Denji's next story will arrive as a second season or receive another theatrical release, leaving fans waiting for the next big announcement.

Either way, the material waiting to be adapted is massive. The International Assassins Arc brings in major characters such as Quanxi and Santa Claus while pushing Denji into one of the most dangerous situations of his life. And then there is the Darkness Devil, one of the most terrifying forces in the entire series. If MAPPA decides to put that story on the big screen in 2027, it could turn an already stacked anime movie lineup into something completely ridiculous.