Honestly, it's kinda wild how Detective Conan (or Case Closed, if you grew up with the Funimation dub) has managed to drop a movie every single year since 1997 without missing a beat—well, except for that weird COVID-19 gap in 2020. Most franchises fizzle out after a trilogy. Conan? It just gets bigger.
You've probably seen a few clips of Conan Edogawa doing some physics-defying soccer kick and wondered where to start. Or maybe you're a veteran trying to remember which movie featured that one specific Kaito Kid heist.
Let's be real: keeping track of the list of Detective Conan movies is a full-time job at this point. With the recent 2025 release of One-eyed Flashback and the hype already building for 2026, the sheer volume of cases is staggering. Here is the actual, no-fluff breakdown of what you need to know.
The Early Classics (1997–2003)
The first era was all about classic mystery. These weren't the high-octane action blockbusters we see today. They felt like extended, high-budget episodes of the TV show.
- The Time-Bombed Skyscraper (1997): The one that started it all. Shinichi's birthday, a red wire vs. a blue wire, and high stakes. It’s iconic because it established the "Red Thread of Fate" trope for Ran and Shinichi.
- The Fourteenth Target (1998): This one feels like a game of poker gone wrong. People are being targeted based on numbers in their names.
- The Last Wizard of the Century (1999): Kaito Kid makes his movie debut. This is arguably where the franchise found its cinematic footing.
- Captured in Her Eyes (2000): Ran loses her memory after witnessing a shooting. It’s heavy on the romance and actually quite emotional for a kids' show.
- Countdown to Heaven (2001): The Black Organization finally shows up in a movie. It’s the first time we see the bridge between the main plot and the films.
- The Phantom of Baker Street (2002): A fan favorite. It’s a VR game set in Sherlock Holmes' London. If you only watch one "old" Conan movie, make it this one.
- Crossroad in the Ancient Capital (2003): Heiji Hattori takes the lead here. Beautiful Kyoto scenery and lots of kendo.
The Experimental Middle Years (2004–2012)
Things got a bit... weird here. The staff changed, and they started leaning harder into action sequences that would make Tom Cruise blush.
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- Magician of the Silver Sky (2004): Kid returns. There's a plane landing sequence that is basically impossible, but it looks cool.
- Strategy Above the Depths (2005): Set on a cruise ship. This is one of the rare times Kogoro Mouri actually solves the case himself without Conan's help (mostly).
- The Private Eyes' Requiem (2006): The 10th-anniversary special. It’s a "everyone is here" movie where almost every major character makes a cameo.
- Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure (2007): Pirates and treasure. Honestly? Most fans agree this is one of the weaker entries.
- Full Score of Fear (2008): Centered around classical music and pipe organs. It’s unique, but maybe a bit niche for some.
- The Raven Chaser (2009): A massive hit. Conan gets dangerously close to the Black Organization again.
- The Lost Ship in the Sky (2010): A giant airship, a fake virus, and Kaito Kid pretending to be Shinichi. Pure fun.
- Quarter of Silence (2011): Snow, dams, and a 15-minute climax that is pure adrenaline.
- The Eleventh Striker (2012): J-League soccer crossover. Unless you love soccer, it’s a bit of a mid-tier entry.
The Modern Blockbuster Era (2013–2023)
This is when the money started pouring in. Every year, the list of Detective Conan movies began breaking box office records in Japan. They started focusing on "husbands"—specifically characters like Amuro Toru and Akai Shuichi who have massive fanbases.
Private Eye in the Distant Sea (2013)
A collaboration with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It's a spy thriller on a destroyer. Takeharu Sakurai wrote the script, and he brought a much more grounded, political tone to the series.
Dimensional Sniper (2014)
The FBI and Akai Shuichi fans lost their minds here. The ending of this movie actually revealed a massive plot point before the manga did. Talk about a spoiler!
From Sunflowers to Submarines
The movies basically became a license to print money after 2015.
- Sunflowers of Inferno (2015): Art heists.
- The Darkest Nightmare (2016): An absolute banger. No real "mystery" here, just an all-out war with the Black Organization.
- The Crimson Love Letter (2017): Heiji and Kazuha in a Karuta tournament. Visually stunning.
- Zero the Enforcer (2018): This movie made Amuro Toru a national superstar in Japan. It grossed over 9 billion yen.
- The Fist of Blue Sapphire (2019): Set in Singapore. The first time a movie took place outside Japan.
- The Scarlet Bullet (2021): Focused on the Akai family. Delayed by a year because of the pandemic.
- The Bride of Halloween (2022): Surprisingly good mystery involving the "Police Academy Five."
- Black Iron Submarine (2023): The first one to cross the 10-billion-yen mark. Ai Haibara takes center stage, and the emotional weight is real.
The Recent Heavy Hitters (2024–2026)
If you're looking for the absolute latest on the list of Detective Conan movies, here is the current state of play as of early 2026.
The Million-dollar Pentagram (2024)
Released in April 2024, this movie focused on Kaito Kid and Heiji Hattori in Hakodate. It absolutely crushed the box office, bringing in over 15.8 billion yen. The big "twist" at the end regarding Kaito Kid’s family history is something fans are still talking about. It’s officially the highest-grossing film in the entire franchise.
One-eyed Flashback (2025)
This one just finished its theatrical run. It’s also known as Sekigan no Flashback. The focus shifted to the Nagano Prefecture police, specifically the one-eyed Kansuke Yamato. It was a bit darker than the usual summer blockbuster fare, dealing with memories of a past case that came back to haunt Kogoro Mouri. It grossed roughly 14.67 billion yen, proving the "Conan fever" isn't slowing down.
Fallen Angel of the Highway (2026)
This is the upcoming 29th film, scheduled for April 10, 2026. Early teasers suggest a heavy focus on Ran Mouri and Chihaya Hagiwara (the motorcycle cop from the Kanagawa police). We don’t have all the details yet, but the posters imply a high-speed chase mystery.
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Why Do These Movies Rank So High?
It’s not just the mystery. It’s the "event" status. In Japan, the annual Conan movie is like a Marvel release. People go to see their favorite characters—whether it’s the cool-headed Akai or the charming Kaito Kid—in situations the weekly anime just can't afford to animate.
Wait, what about the order?
You don't strictly need to watch them in order. Most are standalone. However, if you want to understand the character dynamics (like who knows Conan's identity), following the release order is the way to go.
Where can you watch them?
That’s the tricky part. Depending on where you live, licensing is a mess. Netflix recently added a batch of about 13 movies in certain regions (like Southeast Asia) in early 2025. In the US, Crunchyroll and TMS have been better about theatrical releases, but getting the full back catalog often requires hunting down older DVDs or specific streaming rotations.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the 29+ titles, here's how to tackle it without burning out:
- The "Must-Watch" Trio: If you're short on time, watch The Phantom of Baker Street, The Darkest Nightmare, and Black Iron Submarine. These represent the best of the mystery, action, and character-driven eras.
- Check the TV Specials: Don't confuse the compilation movies (like The Scarlet Alibi or The Story of Ai Haibara) with the main feature films. The compilations are just recaps of TV episodes meant to prep you for the new movie.
- Follow the 2026 Updates: Keep an eye on the official @conan_movie Twitter (X) account. They usually drop the first "real" trailer for the April 2026 movie in late February.
The list of Detective Conan movies is basically a history of modern anime production. From hand-drawn cells in '97 to the slick CGI-enhanced action of 2026, it’s a journey worth taking if you love a good "whodunit." Just don't try to apply real-world physics to Conan's skateboard stunts. You'll only give yourself a headache.