One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best: Which ones are must-watch?

If you’re a diehard One Piece fan, you’re probably devouring every single bit of content the franchise has to offer. 

Whether it’s the fantastic anime or the incredible manga chapters, we just can’t get enough of Luffy and his crew’s escapades on the high seas.

Luckily, to satisfy the insatiable hunger for more One Piece action, there are a bunch of movies that have a treasure trove of unique and exciting stories.

Let’s take a deep dive into all of the One Piece movies, ranking them from worst to best and giving you all the information you need to decide which ones are worth your time. 

So, grab your straw hat, and join me as we explore the best of the One Piece film collection.

15. One Piece: Chopper’s Kingdom in the Strange Animal Island (2002)

I’m a huge One Piece fan, but this movie just rubbed me the wrong way. The plot is the typical One Piece formula with a little twist, and of course, the power of friendship saves the day.

In One Piece: Chopper’s Kingdom in the Strange Animal Island, the Straw Hat Pirates find themselves on Crown Island, where Tony Tony Chopper becomes a legend after fulfilling a prophecy. 

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best: Which ones are must-watch?
Chopper’s Kingdom | Source: Fandom

I love the adorable reindeer, but the fact that they put Chopper’s name in the title only to let him take a backseat in the actual plot was not nice. Come on, give the little guy some respect.

All in all, this movie is definitely the worst of all One Piece movies.

14. One Piece 3D: Mugiwara Chase (2011)

This short movie looks a lot different from the actual show. It’s 3D and almost looks like a video game cut scene. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of the 3D animation.

It was disorienting and distracting, especially during the exaggerated expressions that One Piece is known for. But the story itself is pretty good.

One Piece 3D: Mugiwara Chase is about Luffy trying to get his beloved hat back, which we all know is super important to him. The crew helps him out, but of course, things can’t be easy for the Straw Hat Pirates.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best: Which ones are must-watch?
Mugiwara Chase | Source: Fandom

Even though it’s short, only half an hour, Mugiwara Chase is well-written and enjoyable. However, the animation style might not be for everyone.

13 . One Piece: The Movie (2000)

The first One Piece movie felt more like an extended TV episode. It’s all very predictable and lacks any real surprises. It’s not bad, but it’s not exactly a cinematic masterpiece, either.

In One Piece: The Movie, the Straw Hat Pirates cross paths with Eldoraggo, a pirate determined to find a legendary island where a treasure hoard is said to be hidden.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
One Piece The Movie | Source: Fandom

You know the drill, they meet some random people who become crucial to the story later on, they hit up an island, have a little adventure, and then the bad guys show up. 

12. One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure (2001)

This One Piece movie is a filler mission with a decent budget and a straightforward plot.

One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure shows the Straw Hat Pirates rescuing a kidnapped Nami and their stolen ship from an evil pirate crew while trying to stop them from completing their super weapon. 

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Clockwork Island Adventure | Source: Fandom

The attempt at making it tragic by having the population unwilling to resist the bad guys for fear of wasting years of work on the device falls a bit flat.

And the resolution to the issue is just Luffy smashing everything up and telling them to start over. Not the most compelling writing, to be honest.

Overall, it’s an okay movie. The action scenes are cool, but everything ends too conveniently for my taste.

11. One Piece: The Curse of the Sacred Sword (2004)

This movie was a real disappointment for me. I love One Piece with all my heart, but this movie was just plain bad.

In One Piece: The Curse of the Sacred Sword, the Straw Hat Pirates visit Asuka Island and learn about the Shichiseiken, a cursed yet beautiful sword. When they return to their ship, they discover that Zoro is missing.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Sacred Sword | Source: Fandom

The plot was just absurd! Zoro, one of the most loyal characters in the series, suddenly turns against his friends and fights them? Give me a break! It felt like they just wanted to make an edgy story without caring about the characters.

And don’t even get me started on Luffy’s portrayal. He’s reckless, but he’s not an idiot! The way he acted in this movie just felt off.

I would say skip this one and watch the other One Piece movies instead; you won’t be missing out on much.

10. One Piece: The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle (2006)

This movie felt like a typical filler episode with the Straw Hat Pirates on a treasure hunt. 

In One Piece: The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle, the Straw Hat Pirates found an old lady instead of treasure in a chest they recovered. She offers them a great reward if they take her to Mecha Island, her home. 

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
The Giant Mech Soldier | Source: Fandom

But there seemed to be some special focus on Nami. Every time she made the slightest move, there was the inevitable jiggle. Come on, give the girl a break!

Despite that, I still found the movie pretty exciting, with some good twists and comedy thrown in.

9. One Piece: Episode of Alabasta – The Desert Princess and the Pirates (2007)

This movie is like a ship sailing through a stormy sea, it may get rocky, but it always manages to pull itself back up. And that’s one of the film’s main messages – perseverance.

One Piece: Episode of Alabasta – The Desert Princess and the Pirates summarizes the Alabasta Arc, and it’s unique in that it features Vivi – someone you won’t find in any other One Piece movie!

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Episode of Alabasta | Source: Fandom

I found this movie very entertaining and action-packed. And I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good adventure.

8. One Piece: Episode of Chopper Plus – Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Sakura (2008)

If you’re up to date with One Piece, you might find this movie a bit repetitive. Basically, it’s just a condensed version of episodes 78-91 with Franky and Robin chilling in the background.

The movie One Piece: Episode of Chopper Plus – Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Sakura retells the story of the Drum Island arc from the manga, where Chopper joins the Straw Hat Pirates.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Miracle Sakura | Source: Fandom

But don’t get me wrong; I still enjoyed it! Chopper’s story is always a tear-jerker, and even though I’ve seen it all before, it was nice to revisit it.

The only real new thing in this movie is the ending, which I won’t spoil for you. Plus, you can still follow along and enjoy the film even if you’re not caught up on all of One Piece. Give it a shot!

7. One Piece: Dead End (2003)

This movie is a real gem! The villain is so easy to hate, which is always a plus in my book. It’s a filler story, but they clearly put some serious cash into it.

The plot is simple, but things get dark and violent quickly. And there’s some major backstabbing going on, which keeps you on your toes. 

In One Piece: Dead End, the Straw Hat Pirates join a secret pirate race to win some much-needed cash. But they soon find themselves up against Captain Gasparde, a former Marine who’s now a pirate with a dangerous plan.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Dead End | Source: Fandom

They also bring in some of the main series characters for cameos, which is always a nice touch. This movie is definitely darker than the others; it amps up the tension and leaves you on the edge of your seat.

6. One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (2005)

When I first saw this movie, I was taken aback by the art style – it was so different from the usual One Piece style! But you know what? The animators did a fantastic job of mixing 2D and CG together.

In One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island, the Straw Hats get invited to an Island for a break from their journey but end up participating in absurd challenges by the island’s Baron. Luffy eagerly accepts them, determined to prove his crew’s worth.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Baron Omatsuri | Source: Fandom

In just the first few minutes, we get a great sense of who all the characters are and what drives them – whether it’s Sanji’s love of beautiful women or Nami’s thirst for luxury.

For newbies to the series, it’s a great introduction to the characters. And for long-time fans, it’s fun to see their basic instincts being poked fun at.

Sure, the first act might be a little tough to swallow because of the unusual art direction. But trust me; it pays off big time in the second and third acts!

5. One Piece Film: Red (2022)

Film Red is one of the most unique One Piece movies out there.

One Piece Film: Red takes place on the Island of Music, Elegia, where Uta, the world’s greatest diva, holds her first live concert. However, the event takes a surprising turn when it’s revealed that Uta is Shanks’ daughter.

Uta was a total scene-stealer in this movie. She had a great backstory, a killer voice, and her design was on point.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
One Piece Film: Red (2022) | Source: Comic Natalie

And let’s not forget about Shanks! We finally got to see him in action for more than a minute; it was pure bliss.

Overall, Film Red is a movie that anyone can enjoy, the story is engaging, and the songs will have you humming along. 

4. One Piece Film: Gold (2016)

This movie is like a Vegas dream come true, with all the glitz and glamour you could ever want. The colors blew me away – they’re so sharp and vivid, it’s like they’re popping right off the screen. 

The animation is gorgeous, and the music is so damn good. And the best part? The movie has all sorts of callbacks to previous arcs – it’s like a big reunion with all your favorite characters. 

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Gold | Source: Fandom

One Piece Film: Gold takes place in Gran Tesoro, a country that even the World Government can’t touch. The Straw Hat Pirates encounter the country’s ruler, who is planning something big which could lead to a shift in power in the New World.

The storyline is packed with excitement from the moment the Straw Hats arrive at Gran Tesoro. All in all, One Piece Film Gold is an absolute must-watch for any fan of the series.

3. One Piece: Strong World (2009)

You won’t be able to resist laughing out loud at the antics of Sanji and Luffy in this movie as they steal the spotlight.

And let’s not forget about the Brook and Sanji duo; they are just downright hilarious and deliver some of the film’s best comedic moments.

In One Piece: Strong World, the Straw Hats get wind of a crisis in their homeland of East Blue and decide to head back to lend a hand. But as luck would have it, they face a flying pirate ship commanded by the notorious Golden Lion Shiki!

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Strong World | Source: Fandom

The story is kind of like the Arlong arc, with Nami getting kidnapped by a crazy villain (in this case, Shiki), and the Straw Hats have to go save her. 

Shiki plans to make Nami his navigator and control the whole ocean, starting with East Blue. But of course, our heroes won’t stand for that! 

2. One Piece: Z (2012)

This movie is an absolute masterpiece – it’s the kind of film that will leave you in tears by the end and make you appreciate just how amazing One Piece is! The animation is top-notch, and it exceeded all of my expectations.

One Piece: Z is a movie with one of the best villains in the series. Z is on a mission to cleanse the New World of all pirates and treachery, which is something you might empathize with once you know everything he’s been through.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Z | Source: Fandom

He is a fascinating character with a tragic backstory that makes his goals all the more believable.

One thing I absolutely love about this movie is the way it focuses on Aokiji and the fact that every single member of the Straw Hat crew gets their moment to shine.

If you decide to give this movie a watch, you’ll get to see some new devil fruits and some cool new pirates!

1. One Piece: Stampede (2019)

After watching this movie, I felt like I hit the jackpot for being a One Piece fan. Every second of it was pure fun, and it’s my all-time favorite movie now. 

One Piece: Stampede hit the spot for fans by giving us everything we adore about the series and dialing it up to eleven. It is set during a festival where the world’s most notorious pirates take part in an exciting hunt for Gold Roger’s lost treasure.

One Piece Movies Ranked from Worst to Best Which ones are must-watch
Stampede | Source: Fandom

However, it’s not just about the Straw Hats and their enemies – tons of characters from all over the One Piece universe make appearances, like the Cipher Pol, the Shichibukai, the Revolutionaries, and more! It’s a dream come true.

Watching it solidified my love for One Piece even more. So, do yourself a favor and check it out ASAP. You won’t regret it.

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About One Piece

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997.

The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger. The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.” These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!

Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. His diverse crew is joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.

Vansh Gulati

Vansh Gulati

Meet our very own Hinata Shoyo! - There is no anime or manga that he’s not aware of. Also the go-to guy for all things Epic at EML. He’s on a journey to discover life one bottle of sake at a time!
Ps...anime is not a cartoon!

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