Pokémon movie

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This article is about the real-world films of the Pokémon franchise. For movies that exist in the Pokémon world, see Movies in the Pokémon world.
Pikachu the Movie
Pokémon the Movie

A Pokémon movie is a theatrical film usually released in Japan in July, centering on Pokémon and following, as with Pokémon the Series, Ash and his friends. Typically, the movies' animation is done by Team Koitabashi of OLM, and each has at least one hour of footage. Nine of the movies also have a Pikachu short that is shown before the main feature, and all of them have a manga adaptation.

The locations in which the movies take place have been, since Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias, based on real-world locations outside of Japan. Topics explored are typically deeper than those explored in the episodes aired on television, usually featuring Ash and his friends confronting antagonists who wish to use Pokémon for selfish purposes. Nearly every movie involves Legendary Pokémon, and many of them debut a Mythical Pokémon belonging to the ongoing generation of the core series games, with event distributions for certain Pokémon featuring in the movie running concurrently.

To date, there have been 23 theatrical Pokémon movies and three movie-length special episodes. There has also been one live-action movie, POKÉMON Detective Pikachu. Additionally, the miniseries Pokémon Origins and Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles have a similar length to a movie when all of the episodes are combined.

Animated movies

Movie Poster English title English release American distributor Japanese title Japanese release Japanese distributor
1 Mewtwo Strikes Back Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back November 12, 1999 Warner Bros. ミュウツーの逆襲
Mewtwo's Counterattack
Mewtwo Strikes Back!
July 18, 1998 Toho
Summary: Ash Ketchum and his friends are tricked into visiting New Island, an island ruled by a mutant Pokémon, Mewtwo. There, they find out about Mewtwo's plans to clone their Pokémon and destroy the world, and a massive battle follows between the clones and the originals—including the "original" counterpart to Mewtwo: Mew.
Shown with: Pikachu's Vacation
Related specials: The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin, Mewtwo Returns
2 The Power of One Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One July 21, 2000 Warner Bros. 幻のポケモン ルギア爆誕
Mirage Pokémon: Lugia's Explosive Birth
Revelation-Lugia
July 17, 1999 Toho
Summary: Ash Ketchum and his friends visit Shamouti Island, the centerpoint of culture in the Orange Islands, just in time for their annual festival in honor of the Chosen One spoken of in legends who would save the world when Lugia's song was not enough to quell the fighting legendary birds. But when the meddling of a self-named "Pokémon Collector" causes the legendary birds to begin fighting, will the Chosen One appear in time to help Lugia?
Shown with: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure
Related specials: Slowking's Day, The Power of One: The Pokémon 2000 Movie Special
3 Spell of the Unown: Entei Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown: Entei April 6, 2001 Warner Bros. 結晶塔の帝王 ENTEI
Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei
Lord of the "Unknown" Tower
July 8, 2000 Toho
Summary: When Spencer Hale, a researcher exploring the mystery of the Unown, disappears on an expedition, his daughter Molly is left alone in their mansion in Greenfield. Using tiles of the Unown sent to her by her father, she brings Unown into the Pokémon world, where their power can make real her dreams. When she wishes for her parents to return, however, she wishes her father as an Entei, and then for him to bring her a mother. When Ash's own mother is kidnapped by Entei to serve as Molly's, Ash and his friends must journey into the mansion that has been warped by the Unown's power and Molly's wishes... but can they get to Molly in time to stop the Unown's power from warping the whole Johto region... or even the world?
Shown with: Pikachu & Pichu
4 Celebi: The Voice of the Forest Pokémon 4Ever - Celebi: The Voice of the Forest October 11, 2002 Miramax Films セレビィ時を超えた遭遇
Celebi: Encounter Beyond Time
Celebi: a Timeless Encounter
July 7, 2001 Toho
Summary: Forty years in the past, a young Trainer finds a Celebi on the run from a Pokémon poacher. Trying to calm it, the boy is accidentally transported to the present day by Celebi, and thought by all in the past to have vanished. He meets Ash and his friends, but before they can get Celebi to take him back to the past, it is captured by a far more dangerous man, Team Rocket operative Iron-Masked Marauder, whose Dark Balls brainwash Celebi into following his every command.
Shown with: Pikachu's PikaBoo
5 Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias May 16, 2003 Miramax Films 水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス
Guardian Gods of the City of Water: Latias and Latios
The Guardians of Altomare
July 13, 2002 Toho
Summary: In Alto Mare, a legend is told of its guardians, Latios and Latias, who have protected the city for a long time. The Soul Dew, their essence, is kept in Alto Mare to keep the city safe. But when Team Rocket agents Annie and Oakley arrive to attempt to steal the Soul Dew, Ash and his friends must recover it to keep Alto Mare safe at all costs.
Shown with: Camp Pikachu
6 Jirachi: Wish Maker Pokémon: Jirachi: Wish Maker June 1, 2004 Miramax Films 七夜の願い星 ジラーチ
Wishing Star of the Seven Nights: Jirachi
Wishing Star of the Seven Nights
July 19, 2003 Toho
Summary: A mysterious comet that passes by every millennium awakens Jirachi, a Mythical Pokémon. Using its power, Butler, a magician who was formerly a member of Team Magma, attempts to create a Groudon to further the villainous organization's goals. Can Ash and his friends protect Jirachi during the week that it is awake?
Shown with: Gotta Dance!
7 Destiny Deoxys Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys January 22, 2005 Miramax Films 裂空の訪問者 デオキシス
Sky-Splitting Visitor: Deoxys
Deoxys the Visitor
July 17, 2004 Toho
Summary: When a meteor crashes into Earth, a battle begins between Rayquaza and the Deoxys contained inside. With Rayquaza the victor, researchers pick up a portion of the meteor with the intention of studying it. When the Deoxys has finally recovered four years later, it attacks the city where the researchers call home, just in time for Ash and friends to visit. But why is it attacking? What connection does the meteor have with it?
8 Lucario and the Mystery of Mew Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew September 19, 2006 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. ミュウと波導の勇者 ルカリオ
Mew and the Wave Hero: Lucario
Mew and the Wave Hero
July 16, 2005 Toho
Summary: Ash's Pikachu is taken to the Tree of Beginning by a wild Mew. To get Pikachu back, Ash must now team up with a Lucario from many years past, but with Lucario still bitter about the hero who sealed him away, Ash and friends must discover the hero's true intentions.
Related specials: Find Mew!
9 Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea March 23, 2007 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. ポケモンレンジャーと
蒼海の王子 マナフィ

Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy
The Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea
July 15, 2006 Toho
Summary: When the Egg of a Mythical Pokémon, Manaphy, with ties to an ancient water-based civilization, falls into the hands of a pirate, a Pokémon Ranger entrusts the Egg to Ash and his friends—specifically May. May must keep the Egg safe until it hatches, and afterward, make sure Manaphy does not fall into the hands of the Phantom, lest Samiya be lost to the seafloor and Manaphy lose its home.
Related specials: Pikachu's Ocean Adventure
10 The Rise of Darkrai Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai February 24, 2008 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. ディアルガVSパルキアVSダークライ
Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai
July 14, 2007 Toho
Summary: In Alamos Town, a large shrine to Dialga and Palkia, the Space-Time Towers, sits. But when Dialga and Palkia begin to battle in their dimension, the fight spills over into the Pokémon world, trapping Alamos Town away from the rest of the world. A Darkrai that lives in town tries to help, but is ultimately blamed by the town as the cause of the problem. Can Ash and his friends save Alamos Town before it is destroyed, and prove Darkrai's intentions?
11 Giratina and the Sky Warrior Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior February 13, 2009 Universal Studios Home Entertainment (former);
VIZ Media / Warner Bros. (current)
ギラティナと氷空の花束 シェイミ
Giratina and the Sky's Bouquet: Shaymin
July 19, 2008 Toho
Summary: When dark, poisonous clouds begin to appear in the Reverse World, home to Giratina, it takes matters into its own hands and pursues the cause of the clouds: Dialga and Palkia. Finding Dialga, it lures it for revenge, and assumes Shaymin to also be responsible. But this is not the only trouble: a researcher who wishes to make Giratina's power his own is also in pursuit of the Renegade Pokémon. With the balance of the Pokémon world and Reverse World altering due to Dialga and Giratina's own fight, Ash and friends must stop the fighting and get Shaymin to Gracidea to participate in the flower bearing ceremony.
12 Arceus and the Jewel of Life Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life November 20, 2009 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. アルセウス 超克の時空へ
Arceus: To a Conquering Spacetime
July 18, 2009 Toho
Summary: Ash and friends have traveled to Michina Town, an ancient area surrounded by many legends—and unsurprisingly, many legendary Pokémon as well. The fighting between Dialga and Giratina begins again, but Sheena, a young woman who guards Michina Town's shrine, stops it and brings peace between Dialga, Giratina and Palkia. The true reason for the fighting between the three legendary Pokémon is revealed when Arceus emerges, seeking revenge for its betrayal by humanity at the hands of Sheena's ancestor Damos. With even Dialga, Palkia and Giratina unable to stand against the Pokémon said to have created all worlds, Ash, his friends and Sheena must embark on a trip back in time in a desperate bid to undo what went wrong and prevent Arceus's rampage from ever taking place.
13 Zoroark: Master of Illusions Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions February 5, 2011 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. 幻影の覇者ゾロアーク
Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark
July 10, 2010 Toho
Summary: Ash and friends arrive in Crown City, where the "Pokémon Baccer World Cup" will be held. However, the city is being destroyed by Raikou, Entei and Suicune, who are all forms of a new and mysterious Pokémon, Zoroark. Zoroark's child, Zorua, asks Ash and his friends for help in saving its mother from the villain who has enslaved it. This draws them into a race against businessman Grings Kodai, who has come to the city in pursuit of Celebi's "Time Ripple" for his own sinister ends, to save Crown City before Kodai's actions lead to its destruction.
14 White—Victini and Zekrom Pokémon the Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom December 3, 2011 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム
Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom
July 16, 2011 Toho
Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram December 10, 2011 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. ビクティニと白き英雄レシラム
Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram
July 16, 2011 Toho
Black—Victini and Reshiram Summary: Ash, Iris, and Cilan arrive in Eindoak Town, a village where the descendants of a race known as the People of the Vale live, to participate in a battle tournament. They meet the Victory Pokémon, Victini, and learn of its deep connection to the history of the People of the Vale and their land. However, when Damon, a man aiming to use the castle known as the Sword of the Vale to restore his people's kingdom to its former glory, captures Victini to move his plan forward, he sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy not only Eindoak Town but the entire world.
15 Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice December 8, 2012 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. キュレムVS聖剣士ケルディオ
Kyurem VS the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo
July 14, 2012 Toho
Summary: Keldeo is training to become one of the Sacred Swordsmen, like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion. But when it decides to challenge Kyurem to prove its strength, it ends up badly injured. Later encountering Ash and his friends aboard a train to the city of Roushan, Keldeo drags them into its desperate attempt to escape from the enraged Kyurem and its gang of Cryogonal. As Kyurem's relentless pursuit drives the group from the train into the big city and finally deep into the abandoned mine Kyurem calls home, can they help Keldeo find its inner strength and defeat Kyurem to prove itself a true Sacred Swordsman?
Shown with: Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade
Related specials: Sing Meloetta: Search for the Rinka Berries
16 Genesect and The Legend Awakened Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and The Legend Awakened October 19, 2013 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. 神速のゲノセクト ミュウツー覚醒
Extreme Speed Genesect: Mewtwo Awakens
July 13, 2013 Toho
Summary: Distressed due to the loss of their homeland, the Genesect Army attacks New Tork City. Coincidentally, Ash and his friends are visiting the city to see the park called Pokémon Hills. When the Genesect begin rampaging in the city, Ash is protected by the sudden appearance of a familiar Pokémon—Mewtwo. Despite sympathizing with the plight of the Genesect, Mewtwo attempts to convince them to leave New Tork City and go somewhere else where artificial Pokémon can belong, only to get into a conflict with the Red Genesect that leads the team. Can Mewtwo overcome the Genesect to save New Tork City or is the city doomed to be destroyed and changed into the nest of a Pokémon left behind by history?
Shown with: Eevee & Friends
Related specials: Top Secret Internal Team Plasma Genesect Video, Mewtwo — Prologue to Awakening
17 Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction November 8, 2014 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. 破壊の繭とディアンシー
The Cocoon of Destruction and Diancie
July 19, 2014 Toho
Summary: Diamond Domain is a land deep under the Kalos region where many Carbink live. The land is given life by the Heart Diamond, which can only be created by its princess, Diancie. However, Diancie currently does not have the power to create a new Heart Diamond, and the land is threatened due to the aging of the current one. After meeting Ash and his friends, Diancie sets off on an adventure to find Xerneas, but during their travels, the group comes across the cocoon where Yveltal—said to have destroyed all life in Kalos long ago—sleeps. During a conflict with a gang of jewel thieves targeting Diancie, Yveltal awakens, leading to a crisis that threatens to repeat the disaster of ages past.
Shown with: Pikachu, What's This Key?
Related specials: Diancie — Princess of the Diamond Domain
18 Hoopa and the Clash of Ages Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages November 5, 2015 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. 光輪の超魔神 フーパ
The Archdjinni of the Rings: Hoopa
July 18, 2015 Toho
Summary: One hundred years ago, Dahara City was threatened with destruction when Hoopa brought a number of legendary Pokémon into the area, but was saved when a mysterious man bound its power with the Prison Bottle. In the present, Ash and his friends arrive in Dahara City and meet Meray, who cares for Hoopa in its peaceful Confined form. Meray's brother, Baraz, obtains the Prison Bottle in hopes of restoring Hoopa's true power, but that power has grown angry over the years and seeks revenge. After escaping from the Prison Bottle, the evil Shadow Hoopa goes on a rampage to erase its weaker self, culminating in both Hoopa summoning groups of legendary Pokémon to fight each other. In order to save Dahara City, Meray, Baraz and Ash's friends must recreate the Prison Bottle and stop Shadow Hoopa, but even if they succeed, an even greater threat may still await.
Shown with: Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad
Related specials: Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures, Hoopa — The Mischief Pokémon
19 Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel November 4, 2016 VIZ Media / Warner Bros. ボルケニオンと機巧のマギアナ
Volcanion and the Mechanical Magearna
July 16, 2016 Toho
Summary: Ash and his friends encounter Volcanion after a blast of steam from the sky, and Ash becomes bonded to it by an unknown force. Volcanion, who hates humans, is forced to bring Ash along as it heads to the Azoth Kingdom. Volcanion is in pursuit of Magearna, hoping to rescue it from a corrupt minister who has stolen it with the intent of using Magearna's mysterious power to conquer the kingdom of machinery. Ash and Volcanion are forced to work together to rescue Magearna.
20 I Choose You! Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! November 5, 2017 Fathom Events
VIZ Media / Warner Bros.
キミにきめた!
I Choose You!
July 15, 2017 Toho
Summary: On his tenth birthday, Ash sets off from Pallet Town to become a Pokémon Trainer alongside a Pikachu that disobeys him. The duo encounter Ho-Oh and, after acquiring a Rainbow Wing, pledge to meet it again one day. With his travel companions Sorrel and Verity, and guided by the mysterious Marshadow, Ash travels to Mount Tensei in search of Ho-Oh. However, they encounter a powerful opponent who stands in their way.
21 The Power of Us Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us November 24, 2018 Fathom Events
VIZ Media / Warner Bros.
みんなの物語
Everyone's Story
July 13, 2018 Toho
Summary: A young athlete whose running days might be behind her, a compulsive liar, a shy researcher, a bitter old woman, and a little girl with a big secret—the only thing they have in common is the annual Wind Festival in Fula City. The festival celebrates the Legendary Pokémon Lugia, who brings the wind that powers this seaside city. When a series of threats endangers not just the festival, but all the people and Pokémon of Fula City, it'll take more than just Ash and Pikachu to save the day! Can everyone put aside their differences and work together—or will it all end in destruction?
22 Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution February 27, 2020 Netflix
VIZ Media / Warner Bros.
ミュウツーの逆襲 EVOLUTION
Mewtwo's Counterattack Evolution
Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution
July 12, 2019 Toho
Summary: Ash Ketchum and his friends are tricked into visiting New Island, an island ruled by a mutant Pokémon, Mewtwo. There, they find out about Mewtwo's plans to clone their Pokémon and destroy the world, and a massive battle follows between the clones and the originals—including the "original" counterpart to Mewtwo: Mew.
23 Secrets of the Jungle Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle October 8, 2021 Netflix
VIZ Media / Warner Bros.
ココ
Koko
December 25, 2020 Toho
Summary: Ash and Pikachu encounter Koko, a young man who was raised as a Pokémon by Zarude and thus believes himself to be one. They help him begin to uncover his true identity and past, which leads to the revelation of a plot at the Biotope Company that threatens to destroy Zarude's home in the Forest of Okoya.

Live-action movies

Poster English title English release American distributor Japanese title Japanese release Japanese distributor
POKÉMON Detective Pikachu 'POKÉMON Detective Pikachu' May 10, 2019 Warner Bros. 名探偵ピカチュウ
Great Detective Pikachu
May 3, 2019 Toho/Legendary East
Summary: When ace detective Harry Goodman goes missing, his son, Tim, and Harry's former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu, join forces to unravel the tangled mystery. Chasing clues together on an epic adventure through Ryme City, they uncover a shocking plot that could destroy the whole Pokémon universe.

Long specials

These special episodes do not appear in theaters in either the original or the dub, but run longer than the half hour that normal episodes fill. Due to this, they are often considered television Pokémon movies, not counting towards the running total.

Cover English title English release Japanese title Japanese release
Mewtwo Returns Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns December 5, 2001 ミュウツー!我ハココニ在リ
Mewtwo! I Am Here
December 30, 2000
Summary: Mewtwo, who has been hiding out in the Johto region since last he was seen, has been located by Giovanni. Now the Rocket Boss wants to recapture the powerful Pokémon to again use him for his own purposes.

It was released directly to video in the United States.

The Legend of Thunder! The Legend of Thunder! June 3, 2006 (Part 1)
June 10, 2006 (Parts 2 and 3)
ポケットモンスタークリスタル・ライコウ 雷の伝説
Pocket Monsters Crystal: Raikou - Legend of Thunder
December 30, 2001
Summary: In the first break from Ash and his friends, three Trainers, Jimmy, Marina, and Vincent must stop the evil Team Rocket duo Attila and Hun from capturing Raikou.

It was divided up into three parts to become the first three episodes of Pokémon Chronicles when dubbed.

The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon April 29, 2006 戦慄のミラージュポケモン
The Terrifying Mirage Pokémon
October 13, 2006
Summary: Ash, May, Max, and Brock meet up with Misty and Professor Oak to investigate Dr. Yung's new Mirage Pokémon system. But when the mysterious Mirage Master appears with a Mirage Mewtwo, Ash is forced to fight him to stop his plans to dominate the world with his Mirage Pokémon.
Pokémon Origins Pokémon Origins November 15, 2013 (File 1)
November 18, 2013 (File 2)
November 20, 2013 (File 3)
November 22, 2013 (File 4)
ポケットモンスター THE ORIGIN
Pocket Monsters: The Origin
October 2, 2013
Summary: In this television miniseries retelling the story of Pokémon Red and Green, Red becomes a Pokémon Trainer and travels around the Kanto region, battling against Gym Leaders, and the Elite Four. He has a rivalry with Blue and battles against Team Rocket and Giovanni. During his travels, Red discovers a mysterious, never-before-seen Pokémon.

Pokémon Origins aired as a single feature-length film in its original Japanese airing, and was divided into four episodes for the English dub airing, and both Japanese and English home video releases.

Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles September 23, 2022 ポケットモンスター 神とよばれし アルセウス
Pocket Monsters: Arceus, the One Called God
January 21, 2022 (JNS01-JNS02)
January 28, 2022 (JNS03-JNS04)
Summary: Ash and Goh travel to Sinnoh at the invitation of Cynthia to attend a festival celebrating the region's ancient past. While there, they reunite with both Cynthia and Dawn. Meanwhile, the members of the resurgent Team Galactic launch a bid to rescue their lost leader, Cyrus, from the dimensional rift he disappeared into in the past. As Team Galactic's actions cause a Heatran to begin violently rampaging, Ash, Goh, Dawn and Cynthia join forces with Brock to thwart the scheme and stop Heatran before it causes a catastrophic disaster that could devastate Mount Coronet and the rest of Sinnoh.

This four episode miniseries was formatted as a single feature-length movie when released outside Japan and Hong Kong.

Release

When they open in Japan, they usually gross a large amount of money, typically ranking first for their premiere weekend. In 2008, Giratina and the Sky Warrior drew in a significant crowd despite the fact that it was released in the same weekend as the Studio Ghibli film Ponyo. In 2011, White—Victini and Zekrom and Black—Victini and Reshiram were released on the same day as the Studio Ghibli film From Up on Poppy Hill, which was placed third in the Japanese box office, alongside Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 and the latter. In the United States, only the first five movies, those associated with the original series, received wide theatrical releases, however, the movies continue to be dubbed, being released directly to home video and, since Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, airing on Cartoon Network within a year of the Japanese premiere. Beginning with the dub of Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, the movies typically premiere on Disney XD. Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution was the first movie to see its international premiere on a streaming platform with its February 2020 release on Netflix.

The thirteenth movie saw a limited theatrical release in the United States as part of the "Pokémon Black Version and White Version Mall Tour". On December 3 and 4, 2011, White—Victini and Zekrom received a limited commercial release in US theaters, making it the first movie since Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias to receive a commercial theatrical release. All of the Pokémon the Series: Black & White and Pokémon the Series: XY movies have aired in theaters in Australia and New Zealand, with the Pokémon the Series: XY movies premiering there before the United States. I Choose You! also received a limited theatrical run internationally on November 5 and 6, 2017. The Power of Us was given a limited theatrical release starting on November 24, 2018.

Titles

The full titles of Pokémon movies typically begin with some variant of the phrase "Pokémon the Movie".

In English, from the 14th movie onward, all full movie titles begin with "Pokémon the Movie". The first three movies—Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back, Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One, and Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown: Entei—also include some variant of the phrase in their titles.

In Japanese, all movies except those in Pokémon the Series: XY begin with the phrase 「劇場版ポケットモンスター」 (Pocket Monsters: Movie Version). The Pokémon the Series: XY movies instead begin with the phrase 「ポケモン・ザ・ムービー」 (Pokémon the Movie).

Relation to the animated series

Generally, Pokémon movies and long specials have little to no impact on the overall plotline of the animated series, and fans will argue as to whether or not they are considered true canon. Evidence going either way is sparse, with many details, such as the fact that Ash, Dawn, and Brock having met Dialga and Palkia in The Rise of Darkrai, Giratina and the Sky Warrior, and Arceus and the Jewel of Life going unmentioned when the Legendary Pokémon are seen again in The Battle Finale of Legend!. Other details introduced in movies, such as Ash's Aura abilities as well as Dawn's Lunar Wing, have in fact been referenced by the animated series.

The movie trilogy that released during the airing of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon are unique exceptions: I Choose You! is an alternate retelling of Ash's early journey in a continuity completely independent of Pokémon the Series, with the following movie, The Power of Us, being an original story also set within that continuity. Finally, Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution is the first Pokémon movie to be a remake, being a CGI retelling of Mewtwo Strikes Back.

It is possible that early on, the movies were intended to have no impact on the animated series continuity, as Mewtwo's erasure of everyone's memories at the conclusion of Mewtwo Strikes Back means that the events of the movie don't have much continuing impact on the series. However, as the series has progressed, more references to past movies have been made, with Ash recognizing a Latios immediately in The Semi-Final Frontier!, despite having only seen one previously in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias, eventually culminating with characters from the aforementioned movie and its setting directly appearing in the animated series in Ash and Latios.

Due to this inconsistency, it will be noted in the movies' individual articles when a reference has been made to them in the animated series. The placement of the movies in the anime timeline will normally be between the episodes aired before and after the date of the movie's Japanese premiere, though often with more recent movies, this placement can vary with regard to events in the animated series.

Pokémon Origins, which is not a movie but rather a miniseries, exists within its own canon separate from the animated series.

Home video releases

North American home video releases

Main article: List of English language Pokémon movie home video releases (Region 1)

United Kingdom home video releases

Main article: List of English language Pokémon movie home video releases (Region 2)

Australian home video releases

Main article: List of English language Pokémon movie home video releases (Region 4)

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 寵物小精靈電影版 *
劇場版 精靈寶可夢 *
Mandarin 神奇寶貝 電影版 *
劇場版 精靈寶可夢 *
精灵宝可梦 剧场版动画 *
剧场版精灵宝可梦 *
Denmark Flag.png Danish Pokémon Filmen
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Pokémon Film
Finland Flag.png Finnish Pokémon-elokuva
France Flag.png French Film Pokémon
Germany Flag.png German Pokémon-Film
Italy Flag.png Italian Film Pokémon
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Pokémon Filmen
Poland Flag.png Polish Film Pokémon
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese Filme Pokémon
Russia Flag.png Russian Покемон-фильм Pokémon-fil'm
Spain Flag.png Spanish Película Pokémon
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Pokémon Filmen
Turkey Flag.png Turkish Pokémon Filmi

External links

Pokémon movies
Pokémon the Series: The Beginning
Mewtwo Strikes BackThe Power of One
Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver
Spell of the Unown: EnteiCelebi: The Voice of the ForestPokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
Jirachi: Wish MakerDestiny DeoxysLucario and the Mystery of MewPokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
The Rise of DarkraiGiratina and the Sky WarriorArceus and the Jewel of LifeZoroark: Master of Illusions
Pokémon the Series: Black & White
White—Victini and Zekrom / Black—Victini and ReshiramKyurem VS. The Sword of JusticeGenesect and the Legend Awakened
Pokémon the Series: XY
Diancie and the Cocoon of DestructionHoopa and the Clash of AgesVolcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
I Choose You!The Power of UsMewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Secrets of the Jungle
Project Anime logo.png This movie article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.