One Piece is one of the greatest anime to have ever been made. For the last 25 years, it has entertained the fans and has garnered a massive fanbase that makes others look small. Apart from great character designs, the depth and emotions involved in the story make it even more special to the fans. Monkey D. Luffy’s journey of becoming the Pirate King is as intriguing as ever.
Apart from the 1000+ episodes, the anime franchise has released several movies. Even though all the movies are non-canon, seeing the Strawhats in new avatars is something the fans do not want to miss. Some of the movies are great, while others are not. Let us see the top five One Piece movies to date.
5. One Piece Film: Z
One Piece Film: Z was released in 2012. The movie revolves around a former marine Admiral, ‘Black Arm’ Zephyr, who acts as the main antagonist. He was on a path to destroy all the pirates, including the New World. It was up to the Strawhats to stop him from fulfilling his dream. His ideals are the opposite of Luffy’s, and has a complex personality.
The Strawhats had a difficult time dealing with him since he was a former Admiral and was pretty powerful. Zephyr is one of the best-written villains of the franchise, and Avril Lavigne’s voice was like the icing on top of the cake.
4. One Piece Film: Strong World
One Piece Film: Strong World features the one strongest pirates from the Golden Generation. Golden Lion Shiki acts as the main antagonist of the movie, who kidnaps Nami for his evil motives. The Strawhats set out on a path to rescue the navigator of their ship. Each one of the characters played an equally important role, with Monkey D. Luffy giving his all in the last fight.
Shiki is an overly powerful villain, and the Strawhats are ready to give their all to save their friend. Released in 2009, Strong World is the only movie in the franchise whose scripts were written by Eiichiro Oda. It lays out a pretty good idea about the anime.
3. One Piece Film: Red
One Piece Film: Red is the most profitable movie of the franchise. The anime had two filler episodes, setting the prologue for the film. It is about a singer named Uta. Uta is Luffy’s childhood friend and the daughter of Red-Hair Shanks. More than the Strawhats, the movie focuses on Shanks.
It finally removed the curtains from the mysterious father figure of Luffy. He showcased his array of powers in what is without a doubt, one of the best movies of the franchise. The movie was released in 2022 and collected more than $245 million worldwide.
2. One Piece Film: Stampede
The movie was released in 2019 and was directed by Takashi Otsuka. Stampede is like a constellation, where all the pirates of the Worst Generation gathered to win the Log Pose to Laughtale to get the ultimate price. But they are interrupted by Douglas Bullet, a former member of the Roger Pirates. He singlehandedly dealt with the Worst Generation of Pirates.
No one could stand up to him. He is, without a doubt, the strongest villain in the movies. Even the marine failed to contain the villain, and it was ultimately everyone joining hands to defeat the greater evil.
1. One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island
Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island is one of the initial movies of the franchise, released in 2005. The movie explores the creepy and dark adventure of the Strawhat Pirates. Participating in a series of challenges on a strange island leads to the mysterious disappearance of the crew members. At one point, it will feel like every one of them will perish. The creepy vibes could be felt throughout the movie.
To date, it remains the best movie of the franchise and explores a different section of Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus. Digimon: The Movie‘s helmer Mamoru Hosoda directed the project and delivered the weirdest animation, darkest plot, and best movie of the One Piece franchise, till date.
