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The best animation on Criterion Channel right now

Right now the best animated films and series on Criterion Channel in the United States are Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), Flow (2024) and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997). This is the top 9 streaming there today, ranked by how well rated each one is, how many people have rated it, and what people are watching now.

Updated November 12, 2026 · streaming in the United States

Pick three for meAllFilmsSeries

  1. 1. Neon Genesis Evangelion1995

    Series · 1 seasonSci-Fi & Fantasy, Animation, Drama★ 8.6

    At the turn of the century, the Angels returned to Earth, seeking to wipe out humanity in an apocalyptic fury. Devastated, mankind's last remnants moved underground to wait for the day when the Angels would come back to finish the job.

    Stream onNetflixCriterion Channel

  2. 2. Flow2024

    Film · 1h 25mAdventure, Animation, Family★ 8.1

    A solitary cat, displaced by a great flood, finds refuge on a boat with various species and must navigate the challenges of adapting to a transformed world together.

    Stream onCriterion Channel

  3. 3. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion1997

    Film · 1h 27mAnimation, Science Fiction, Drama★ 8.3

    SEELE orders an all-out attack on NERV, aiming to destroy the Evas before Gendo can advance his own plans for the Human Instrumentality Project. Shinji is pushed to the limits of his sanity as he is forced to decide the fate of humanity.

    Stream onNetflixCriterion Channel

  4. 4. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex2002

    Series · 2 seasonsAnimation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy★ 8.2

    In the future when technological enhancements and robotics are a way of life, Major Motoko Kusanagi and Section 9 take care of the jobs that are too difficult for the police.

    Stream onYouTube TVCriterion ChannelSpectrum On Demand (free)Roku Channel (free)+3

  5. 5. Fantastic Planet1973

    Film · 1h 12mAnimation, Science Fiction★ 7.6

    On the planet Ygam, the Draags, extremely technologically and spiritually advanced blue humanoids, consider the tiny Oms, human beings descendants of Terra's inhabitants, as ignorant animals.

    Stream onHBO MaxCriterion ChannelCinemaxDarkroom (free)+2

  6. Which of these would you actually like?

    Rate a few films you've seen and every title gets a match score for your taste, with picks from friends who agree with you. Free, about three minutes.

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  7. 6. Watership Down1978

    Film · 1h 32mAdventure, Animation, Drama★ 7.2

    When the warren belonging to a community of rabbits is threatened, a brave group led by Fiver, Bigwig, Blackberry and Hazel leave their homeland in a search of a safe new haven.

    Stream onHBO MaxCriterion ChannelShout! Factory TV (free)Plex (free)

  8. 7. K-ON! The Movie2011

    Film · 1h 50mAnimation, Family, Adventure★ 8.0

    With graduation right around the corner, every member of the Light Music Club except for Azusa will be leaving for good. But the girls aren’t going to let something as silly as graduation tear them apart!

    Stream onCriterion ChannelHiDive

  9. 8. The Adventures of Prince Achmed1926

    Film · 1h 6mAnimation, Adventure, Fantasy★ 7.5

    Taken from The Arabian Nights, a wicked sorcerer and the beautiful prince Achmed battle one against the other during a series of wondrous adventures.

    Stream onCriterion ChannelCultpixKanopy (free)Darkroom (free)+1

  10. 9. The Alphabet1969

    Film · 4mAnimation, Horror★ 6.4

    A woman's dark and absurdist nightmare vision comprising a continuous recitation of the alphabet and bizarre living representations of each letter.

    Stream onCriterion Channel

Questions

What are the best animated films and series on Criterion Channel right now?
In the United States, as of November 12, 2026: Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), rated 8.6 out of 10 on TMDB, then Flow and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion.
How is this list made?
Watchwalla asks TMDB for everything of this kind that streams in your country today, ranks it by rating (pulled toward the middle until enough people have rated a title), with a nudge for what's new and what people are watching now, and refreshes the list every day. Streaming availability comes from JustWatch, through TMDB.
Can it pick something for me?
Yes. The picker at watchwalla.com/tonight asks who's watching, how much time you have and what you're in the mood for, and gives three picks streaming where you are. Sign in and every title also gets a match score for your own taste.

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