Anime Fest at the Modern 2026

Welcome to Anime Fest at the Modern!

The 2026 Anime at the Modern Film Festival is September 18–20 and celebrates the Japanese anime genre with films that are visually stunning, richly imaginative, and poetic in their storytelling.

All film screenings will be held in the Modern's auditorium. Tickets are $10 ($7 for all Modern members). Cinephiles who plan to enjoy the weekend’s entire selection of films will receive a discount for pre-purchasing all of their tickets at once. Tickets are available online or by visiting the museum’s admission desk.

All films were chosen with the guidance of anime and manga expert Dr. Marc Hairston, who will introduce the films and be available for Q&A. A professional space physicist, part-time anime scholar, and Fort Worth native, Hairston has hosted annual Japanese animation festivals at the Modern since 2012. He is one of the founding editors of Mechademia, the first academic journal focused on anime and manga studies, and has written numerous scholarly articles about anime. With Dr. Pamela Gossin, also at UT Dallas, he has co-authored two books about anime and manga aimed at high school-age readers: Cultural Guide to Anime and Manga (2023) and Exploring Anime and Manga (World of Art) (2024).

Click here for tickets for individual films as well as a discounted weekend film pass!
Need help with navigating online film tickets?
For an individual film ticket, click on the date of the film on the calendar. To purchase the discounted weekend film pass, click on "films" for a dropdown to purchase. All member discounts can be accessed through a member login at the link provided.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, September 18
Adolescence of Utena, 1999
7 pm
Parental discretion advised: this film contains adult themes and slight nudity, which may not be suitable for younger viewers.
Watch the trailer here.

Saturday, September 19
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, 2006
Noon
Watch the trailer here.

ChaO, 2025
2 pm
Watch the trailer here.

The Last Blossom, 2025
4 pm
Watch the trailer here.

Sunday, September 20
Children Who Chase Lost Voices, 2011
11:30 am
Watch the trailer here.

Cocoon: One Summer of Girlhood, 2025
2 pm
Parental discretion advised: this film includes depictions of death, violence, and attempted rape, as well as some images of blood; it is not recommended for younger viewers.
Watch the trailer here.