Best Animated Films About Parallel Worlds. In this special series of sci-fi-themed articles, we’ll be reviewing the best time travel-related films from time loops to alternate realities. This series will cover the best recent films (since 2020) that feature people traveling forward or back in time, experiencing the same day repeatedly and living in an alternate reality or multiverse version of our world.
This is another series of KBZ articles and videos based on votes by the KBZ YouTube community, and you can see all these films in our collections for Films About Time Travel, Films About Time Loops, Films About Alternate History and Films About The Multiverse. If you’re not a fan yet of our YouTube channel, now is a good time to have your voice heard if you have specific ideas for subgenres or film themes you’d like KBZ to cover.
As a refresher, films about the multiverse involve people traveling to or living in parallel worlds and alternate realities. Multiverse theory suggests that there are an infinite number of similar worlds to our own where differences in those worlds are based on a variety of factors – typically different decisions a person might have made in the past.
This article is a subset of our previous article of the Best Recent Films About The Multiverse and Best Multiverse Films. While those articles only covered live action multiverse films, this article will look at the best anime and animated films featuring themes of the multiverse, parallel worlds, alternate realities and alternate history.
Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing number of sci-fi animated films from DC’s Animated Universe and the Spider-Man Animated Spider-Verse franchise which covered themes of the multiverse to recent anime films such as Suzume (2022) and The Boy and the Heron (2023) which have explored parallel worlds. So, whether you’re a fan of the multiverse or enjoy alternate history or realities, we’ll look at some of the best animated films that any fan of these sci-fi themes should enjoy.
Before we get onto our list, we also wanted to highlight the current articles planned for this series as well as past KBZ articles that should be of interest to any fan of time travel, time loops or parallel universes and the multiverse:
- Best Recent Time Loop Films
- Best Recent Films About The Multiverse
- Best Recent Time Travel Films
- Best Animated Films About Parallel Worlds
- Best Time Loop Comedies
- More Time Loop Films You Haven’t Seen
- Best Time Loop Films
- Best Time Travel Comedies
- Best Time Travel Films
- Obscure Time Travel Films You Might Have Missed
- Best Time Travel Romance Films
- Best Fate & Destiny Films of All Time
- Best Multiverse Films
- Top Films About The Multiverse You Haven’t Seen
- Best Alternate Reality Christmas Films
For our rankings we’re going to use some criteria to help define and refine our list. First, the film must specifically be an anime film or animated film and must also be about the multiverse or parallel worlds. For live action films that feature animation such as Cool World (1992), those types of films won’t be featured here as they have already been covered in our previous articles about multiverse films (listed above).
Second, we will prioritize rankings for sci-fi animated films over fantasy-based animated films. The reason for this is simple: most of the sci-fi animated films have stronger themes of the multiverse or parallel worlds while most fantasy-based animated films with these themes tend to put them in the background. As a result, this will affect the ranking of quite a few anime films focused on parallel worlds as their primary themes often tend to focus on family, romance, coming-of-age and so on.
Third, we’re only featuring one film from each franchise. As noted earlier in this article, there’s quite a few animated franchises that touch upon everything from alternate history to parallel realities, but we want to help our readers find the best overall films of the subgenre.
Fourth, we initially intended this article to focus on animated multiverse films from 2020 – 2026 but expanded our criteria to 1987 – 2026 as there were quite a few films released before 2020 we felt warranted inclusion on this list.
Fifth, we’re admittedly not experts in the animated films or anime films subgenres so might have missed a few films during our initial research. However, if there’s an animated film or anime that is a great film about the multiverse or parallel worlds that we missed, let us know in the comments so we can add it to our overall list!
Sixth, even though these are all animated films on our list, most of them are NOT for young children – especially films like Wicked City (1987). And because anime films don’t often carry a traditional MPAA rating, we strongly suggest checking out Common Sense Media if you plan on watching any of these films with your children to determine age appropriateness.
And seventh, we had to follow our rule for all of KBZ’s film listings where we only list films that have a 4.0/10 or higher rating and were released after 1970.
Our complete list of Multiverse films features over 184+ films from 1970 – 2026 and our complete list of Anime and Adult Animation films features over 583+ films from 1954 – 2026. You can also view our complete list of Time Travel films which features over 300+ films from 1960 – 2026 and our complete list of Alternate History films which features over 141+ films from 1968 – 2026 both of which will likely include a film you might not see on this list. Finally, if you want to be updated as we release future sci-fi themed articles, you can subscribe to our newsletter.
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Best Animated Films About Parallel Worlds
Films that didn’t make our list (and only for completists): Doctor Strange (2007), RahXephon: Pluralitas (2003), Ben 10 Versus the Universe: The Movie (2020), Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse (2022), Justice League x RWBY: Superheroes and Huntsmen Part One (2023), Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earth Part Two (2024) and Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earth Part Three (2024).
Honorable Mentions: Escaflowne: The Movie (2000), Turtles Forever (2009), Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010), Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie (2012), PERSONA3 The Movie #1 (2013), PERSONA3 The Movie #2 (2014), PERSONA3 The Movie #3 (2015), Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015), PERSONA3 The Movie #4 (2016), Fireworks (2017), Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017), Mirai (2018), Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans (2019), Over the Sky (2020), Injustice (2021), To Me, The One Who Loved You (2022), To Every You I’ve Loved Before (2023), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) and South Park: Joining the Panderverse (2023).
#10
Wicked City
Plot: A peace treaty has been in effect for hundreds of years to prevent a war between Earth and the Black World. Although it’s set to be renewed, evil forces want to make sure that doesn’t happen. To ensure it does, hard-bitten human Taki Renzaburo (Greg Snegoff) and sexy demon Makie (Alexandra Kenworthy) are charged with protecting a diplomat, Mayart (Mike Reynolds), who holds the key to peace. But, with an army of multidimensional assassins on their trail, it won’t be easy.
KBZ’s Take: Though this animated film carries a “Not Rated” designation, we would firmly put it in the R-rating category (17+). This is not a film for children as it has scenes of horror, is very violent and has some sexual content.
With that said, it’s one of the better films of the subgenre which shows a human reality trying to co-exist with an alternate dimension comprised of demons. The artwork is solid as is the plot. It’s an interesting film but be prepared for a film based more on horror than any sci-fi themes.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: Kyuta slips into an alternate universe where he is raised by the bear-man, Kumatetsu. Kyuta is eventually thrust into an adventure that spans both worlds.
KBZ’s Take: The Boy and the Beast is a coming-of-age adventure set in an alternate universe populated by human-like animals. While the premise might sound strange, the film is grounded in familiar themes of growing up in a world you don’t understand anchored by some exiting action scenes and impressive animation. It’s a film that is great for children of all ages and with its inventive lessons about learning to appreciate family and things you often take for granted.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: The Anti-Monitor (the Monitor’s evil counterpart) is released into the DC Multiverse and begins to destroy the different Earths that compose it. The Monitor attempts to recruit heroes from across the Multiverse to fight back.
KBZ’s Take: This Justice League franchise has a total of three films, but we are only recommending the first film. You won’t miss much if you pass on the second and third films in this series as they are quite underwhelming compared to the initial film.
With that said, it’s a film fans of comic books and multiverse theory often dream about – different and alternate world versions of their superheroes coming face to face in an epic adventure to save both Earth and its multiple variants.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#7
Hello World
Plot: A man travels in time from the year 2027 to relive his school years and to correct a bad decision.
KBZ’s Take: Hello World has strong sci-fi themes of time travel but weaves them into a tale of two different but connected worlds. We don’t want to expand on this theme since it would spoil the film, but despite its sometimes complex plot, it’s a film we’re confident fans of the subgenre (and The Matrix series of films) will enjoy.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: Mahito, a young 12-year-old boy, struggles to settle in a new town after his mother’s death. However, when a talking heron informs Mahito that his mother is still alive, he enters an abandoned tower in search of her, which takes him to another world.
KBZ’s Take: Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most celebrated directors of anime in history with classic films such as Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (1997) and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). His films often tackle complex (and often dark) themes from greed to grief intertwined with messages of hope and resilience.
The Boy and the Heron follows his previous films with dark coming-of-age themes set in a fascinating and parallel animated world. The film would rank higher on our list, but we wanted to prioritize sci-fi films for this list and The Boy and the Heron is ultimately a fantasy-based film. However, it’s still a film we highly recommend for subgenre fans who might not be into anime in general.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#5
Coraline
Plot: While exploring her new home, a girl named Coraline (Dakota Fanning) discovers a secret door, behind which lies an alternate world that closely mirrors her own but, in many ways, is better. She rejoices in her discovery, until Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) and the rest of her parallel family try to keep her there forever. Coraline must use all her resources and bravery to make it back to her own family and life.
KBZ’s Take: Most films on our list have fascinating depictions of alternate worlds that would be hard to capture within a live action film. Coraline is one of those films with its parallel “Other World” inhabited by button-eyed versions of her family.
Again, as a dark fantasy film, the film isn’t ranked as high as it should be for a film with such a dark version of a parallel world. However, it’s still a film that, while targeted towards children, has some fascinating themes (and animation) adults will also enjoy.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#4
Suzume
Plot: As the skies turn red and the planet trembles, Japan stands on the brink of disaster. However, a determined teenager named Suzume sets out on a mission to save her country. Able to see supernatural forces that others cannot, it’s up to her to close the mysterious doors that are spreading chaos across the land. A perilous journey awaits as the fate of Japan rests on her shoulders.
KBZ’s Take: Makoto Shinkai is another legendary anime director to make our list with some critically acclaimed subgenre films including Your Name. (2016) and Weathering with You (2019). Suzume is his latest film and a somewhat strange film for our list as it technically doesn’t take place within a parallel world (until much later in the film) and one of its main characters is a talking and moving chair.
However, we can say the film is a visual extravaganza that you won’t soon forget and is another anime film worth checking out – even if you’re not a fan of the format.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: Instead of Kansas, the ship carrying baby Superman lands in the Ukraine. Superman is introduced to the world during the 1950s Cold War as a Soviet asset, causing panic in the United States.
KBZ’s Take: We will be completely honest that it required some epic restraint for all of us at KBZ not to list Superman: Red Son as #1 on this list. As fans of everything Superman (and Zod), we will always have a subjective opinion on anything Superman related and will objectively admit that we are likely to have the film ranked too high here.
With that said, as fans of Alternate History films as well, this is a natural fit for our list where the Superman we all grew to love is now the leader of the Soviet Union and natural enemy to America (and its new hero, Lex Luthor). For a wild and inventive take on alternate Superman lore, this is a film you don’t want to miss.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: Bitten by a radioactive spider in the subway, Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales suddenly develops mysterious powers that transform him into the one and only Spider-Man. When he meets Peter Parker, he soon realizes that there are many others who share his special, high-flying talents. Miles must now use his newfound skills to battle the evil Kingpin, a hulking madman who can open portals to other universes and pull different versions of Spider-Man into our world.
KBZ’s Take: Some fans of the Spider-Man Animated Spider-Verse franchise might have the second film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), ranked higher than its predecessor and feel it’s a better selection for #2 on our list. We enjoyed both films but have to give this spot to the first film as it defined the Spider-Verse and introduced its amazingly unique animation style to a new generation of Spidey fans.
Also based on the criteria for our list, we also feel the first film explores more themes of the multiverse with its various depictions of Spider-Man from Miles Morales and Peter B. Parker to Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Ham.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: The Flash causes a temporal ripple that creates a fractured reality where the Justice league has never formed, Superman does not exist and a war rages between Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Flash teams with Batman and Cyborg to restore the timeline.
KBZ’s Take: If you feel any of the Spider-Verse films should be ranked at the top here, we won’t argue with you. However, when it comes to the multiverse and alternate versions of both characters and history, we feel there’s no better animated film than Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox.
This is a film that delivers on all fronts with its alternate history version of the world involving a war between Aquaman’s Atlantean forces and Wonder Woman’s Amazonians, an alternate version of Batman and even an appearance by Shazam and Deathstroke. It’s also a very violent film and not for kids.
With an intriguing plot set against many brutal action pieces, this is one of the best animated film adaptations of a comic book series and the best animated film showing how time travel can cause chaos throughout the multiverse on a parallel word much different than our own.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
