A compilation movie, or compilation film, is a feature film that is mostly composed of footage from a television serial. These typically compress the plot of a story arc from about eight to thirteen broadcast hours to a bit more than two hours without commercials. This is a term used by reviewers of Japanese anime. Additional animation may be added that is either of a superior quality to that made for television or which changes story details, often making the ending lead to a sequel not suggested in the original show. Such films may be put on video or DVD, recently even without being shown theatrically.

A compilation movie is often the most available source for the content of the TV series for persons outside the range of broadcasting. Release rights to other countries are often given for compilation movies well before the entire serial is similarly released, if ever. A compilation movie, however, does not contain the characterization developed through the series, but it does not have filler material or extraneous plot.

The most important compilation films were Space Battleship Yamato and the first three Mobile Suit Gundam films. Both of the television series from which these were derived had little viewership, but when the compilations of the stories were shown in theaters, they became the most important Japanese animated television series of their respective eras. The anime series voted most popular, Maison Ikkoku, also had a compilation film. Also, Dragon Ball has had several compilation films shorter than an hour.

See also

Anticompilation movie