Since the debut of the anime adaptation of Satoshi Tajiri's Pokémon games, Toho has produced the theatrical films based on the franchise since 1998 in Japan: five based on the original series Pokémon anime, four based on the Advanced Generation series, four based on the Diamond and Pearl series, with the tenth film commemorating the tenth anniversary of the anime, three based on the Best Wishes series, three based on the XY series, and two based on the new alternate continuity, despite the Sun & Moon series. There are also two television specials that were broadcast on TV Tokyo and ten short films.
Theatrical films, with little exception, center on and feature Pokémon (typically legendary ones) that have yet to officially debut in the games, often with the Pokémon causing some sort of disaster with its powers or being pursued by someone with less-than-noble tendencies. Ash and his friends will often befriend a Pokémon during the movie and must, at the end, say goodbye to their new friend.
The locations in which the movies take place have been, since Pokémon Heroes, based on a real-world location outside Japan. Topics explored are typically deeper than those explored in the episodes aired on TV, with the battle between greedy people who would use Pokémon for evil and those like Ash who are friends and partners to their Pokémon being a central issue in several movies.
Warner Bros. licensed the first three films in North America, and Miramax Films licensed the following four films. Starting with Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, Viz Media is the only North American licensee. Universal Pictures will distribute the live-action adaptation of Detective Pikachu. All Pokémon films have been and will be distributed theatrically by Toho within Japan.
Films[]
Pokémon: The Original (Series 1)[]
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 1 | "Pokémon: The First Movie" - "Mewtwo Strikes Back" (Mewtwo's Counterattack) "Myūtsū no Gyakushū" (ミュウツーの逆襲) | July 18, 1998 | November 10, 1999 |
| Ash, Misty, Brock, and several other Pokémon trainers travel to an island, under the pretense that they will be battling a superior Pokémon trainer, only to discover the genetically engineered Pokémon Mewtwo, created by a scientist for Giovanni of Team Rocket, is there and is planning to take over the world with other cloned Pokémon. | |||
| 2 | "Pokémon: The Movie 2000" - "The Power of One" (Mirage Pokémon: Lugia's Explosive Birth) "Maboroshi no Pokemon Rugia Bakutan" (幻のポケモン ルギア爆誕) | July 17, 1999 | July 21, 2000 |
| Ash, Misty, and Tracey visit Shamouti Island where Ash is roped into a festival honoring Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, all of whom are being captured by Lawrence III, a Pokémon Collector who also wants to capture the legendary Pokémon Lugia. | |||
| 3 | "Pokémon 3: The Movie" - "Spell of the Unknown" (Emperor of The Crystal Tower: ENTEI) "Kesshōtō no Teiō ENTEI" (結晶塔の帝王 ENTEI) | July 8, 2000 | April 6, 2001 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock try to retrieve Ash's mother from Molly Hale, a lonely little girl whose father has disappeared and is being taken care of by the Pokémon Unown who have created an illusion of the Legendary Pokémon Entei. | |||
| 4 | "Pokémon 4Ever" - "Celebi: Voice of the Forest" (Celebi: The Meeting that Traversed Time) "Serebyi Toki o Koeta Deai" (セレビィ 時を超えた遭遇（であい）) | July 7, 2001 | October 11, 2002 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock meet up with Sammy, a boy from 40 years in the past, and the Mythical Pokémon Celebi, who is being hunted down by the evil Iron-Masked Marauder of Team Rocket. | |||
| 5 | "Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias" (Guardian Gods of the Capital of Water: Latias and Latios) "Mizu no Miyako no Mamorigami Ratiasu to Ratiosu" (水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス) | July 13, 2002 | May 16, 2003 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock's trip to the city of Alto Mare is interrupted when two thieves called Annie and Oakley try to steal the Soul Dew, a crystal that holds the essence of the Legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias, which is also required to keep the city safe. | |||
Pokémon: Advanced Generation (Series 2)[]
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 6 | "Jirachi Wish Maker" (Wishing Star of the Seven Nights: Jirachi) "Nanayo no Negaiboshi Jirāchi" (七夜の願い星 ジラーチ) | July 19, 2003 | June 1, 2004 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock meet the Mythical Pokémon Jirachi, who wakes up one week every thousand years to grant a wish, and must save it from former Team Magma member Butler. | |||
| 7 | "Destiny Deoxys" (Visitor from the Sky-Splitting: Deoxys) "Rekkū no Hōmonsha Deokishisu" (裂空の訪問者 デオキシス) | July 17, 2004 | January 22, 2005 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock visit a city, only to find it under attack from the extraterrestrial Pokémon Deoxys and the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza, all centered around a young boy named Tori. | |||
| 8 | "Lucario and the Mystery of Mew" (Mew and the Aura Hero: Lucario) "Myū to Hadō no Yūsha Rukario" (ミュウと波導（はどう）の勇者 ルカリオ) | July 16, 2005 | September 19, 2006 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock help an ancient Lucario discover the events that led up to his abandonment by a man revered as a hero while saving Pikachu, Meowth, and the Mythical Pokémon Mew from the dying Tree of World's Beginning. | |||
| 9 | "Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea" (The Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy) "Pokemon Renjā to Umi no Ōji Manafi" (ポケモンレンジャーと蒼海（うみ）の王子 マナフィ) | July 15, 2006 | March 23, 2007 |
| A Pokémon Ranger entrusts May with the egg of the Mythical Pokémon Manaphy and with Ash, Brock, and Max keep him safe from the evil pirate Phantom to ensure that Manaphy's homeland is not destroyed. | |||
Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl (Series 3)[]
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 10 | "The Rise of Darkrai" (Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai) "Diaruga Tai Parukia Tai Dākurai" (ディアルガVSパルキアVSダークライ) | July 14, 2007 | February 24, 2008 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock must figure out a way to save Alamos Town from the space and time warping powers of the two Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia, and clear the name of a Darkrai whose foreboding nature has led the townspeople to believe it is involved in the destruction of the town. | |||
| 11 | "Giratina and the Sky Warrior" (Giratina and the Bouquet of the Frozen Sky: Shaymin) "Giratina to Sora no Hanataba Sheimi" (ギラティナと氷空（そら）の花束 シェイミ) | July 19, 2008 | February 13, 2009 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock help the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin return to the Gracidea Flower garden to participate in a flower bearing ceremony, all while Giratina and Dialga battle in the Pokémon world and in Giratina's Reverse World realm. | |||
| 12 | "Arceus and the Jewel of Life" (Arceus: To Conquering Space-Time) "Aruseusu Chōkoku no Jikū e" (アルセウス 超克の時空へ) | July 18, 2009 | November 20, 2009 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock travel to Michina Town, where they discover the Mythical Pokémon Arceus is upset over the town betraying it years ago. When Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina cannot hold it back, the heroes are sent back in time to change the past and present. | |||
| 13 | "Zoroark—Master of Illusions" (Phantom Ruler: Zoroark) "Gen'ei no Hasha Zoroāku" (幻影の覇者 ゾロアーク) | July 10, 2010 | February 5, 2011 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock arrive in Crown City for the Pokémon Baccer World Cup, but instead discover that a Zoroark under the control of a villain is causing havoc disguised as the Legendary Pokémon Entei, Raikou and Suicune. Zoroark's child Zorua asks for their help to save his mother from the evil Kodai and his Shuppet who seeks out Celebi and its ability to travel through time. | |||
Pokémon: Best Wishes! (Series 4)[]
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 14A | "White—Victini and Zekrom" (Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom) "Bikutini to Kuroki Eiyū Zekuromu" (ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム) | July 16, 2011 | December 3, 2011 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan travel to Eindoak Town to participate in a tournament, meeting the Mythical Pokémon Victini on the way. However, they instead discover they must stop Damon, a descendant of Eindoak's ancient People of the Vale, from using the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram to use the Dragon Force to restore the former glory of the Kingdom of Vale, only to realize it is out of control and could destroy the world. | |||
| 14B | "Black—Victini and Reshiram" (Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram) "Bikutini to Shiroki Eiyū Reshiramu" (ビクティニと白き英雄 レシラム) | July 16, 2011 | December 10, 2011 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan travel to Eindoak Town to participate in a tournament, meeting the Mythical Pokémon Victini once again on the way. However, they instead discover they must stop Damon, a descendant of Eindoak's ancient People of the Vale, from using the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom to use the Dragon Force to restore the former glory of the Kingdom of Vale, only to realize it is out of control and could destroy the world. | |||
| 15 | "Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice" (Kyurem vs. the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo) "Kyuremu tai Seikenshi Kerudio" (キュレムVS聖剣士 ケルディオ) | July 14, 2012 | December 8, 2012 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan help the Mythical Pokémon Keldeo escape from the Legendary Pokémon Kyurem, who seeks to battle it after freezing its compatriates the Sacred Swordsmen Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion. | |||
| 16 | "Genesect and the Legend Awakened" (ExtremeSpeed Genesect: Mewtwo Awakens) "Shinsoku no Genosekuto Myūtsū Kakusei" (神速のゲノセクト ミュウツー覚醒) | July 13, 2013 | October 19, 2013 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan visit New Tork City to enjoy its Pokémon Hills park, only to come under attack from a group of Genesect angry over losing their home. Ash, Iris, and Cilan are saved by Mewtwo, who wants to help the Genesect but also prevent them from destroying the city. | |||
Pokémon: XY (Series 5)[]
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 17 | "Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction" "Hakai no Mayu to Dianshī" (破壊の繭とディアンシー) | July 19, 2014 | November 8, 2014 |
| When the Mythical Pokémon Diancie cannot figure out how to make a new Heart Diamond to save her kingdom of Carbink subjects, she seeks out the Legendary Life Pokémon Xerneas for help, meeting Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie on the way, as they help her escape a group of jewel thieves and the unintentional awakening of the Legendary Destruction Pokémon Yveltal. | |||
| 18 | "Hoopa and the Clash of Ages" (The Archdjinni of the Rings: Hoopa) "Ring no chōmajin Fūpa" (光輪の超魔神 フーパ) | July 18, 2015 | December 19, 2015 |
| When Ash, Pikachu, and their friends visit a desert city by the sea, they meet the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa, who has the ability to summon things—including people and Pokémon—through its magic rings. After a scary incident, they learn a story about a brave hero who stopped the rampage of a terrifying Pokémon long ago. Now, the threat that has been bottled up for years is in danger of breaking loose again! Can Ash help his new friend overcome the darkness within...or will a dangerous secret erupt into a clash of legends? | |||
| 19 | "Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel" (Volcanion and the Exquisite Magearna) "Borukenion to karakuri no Magiana" (ボルケニオンと機巧のマギアナ) | July 16, 2016 | December 5, 2016 |
| Ash and his friends encounter the Mythical Pokémon 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 the artificial Mythical Pokémon 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. | |||
Alternate continuity[]
On December 15, 2016, a reboot to the film franchise began with the 20th movie. It was first revealed along with its teaser trailer on the anniversary of the Pokémon anime television series. The teaser was also revealed showing Ho-oh (who appeared in the first episode of Pokémon).[1] On December 10, 2017, the 21st movie was released along with its teaser trailer. It appears to be a continuation from "I Choose You!" involving Lugia and a new character.[2]
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 20 | "I Choose You!" "Kimi ni kimeta!" (キミにきめた！) | July 15, 2017 | November 5, 2017 |
| Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town is 10 years old today. This means he is now old enough to become a Pokémon Trainer. Ash dreams big about the adventures he will experience after receiving his first Pokémon from Professor Oak. | |||
| 21 | "The Power of Us[3]" "Minna no Monogatari" (みんなの物語) | July 13, 2018 | November 24, 2018 |
| 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" "Myūtsū no Gyakushū EVOLUTION" (ミュウツーの逆襲 EVOLUTION) | July 12, 2019 | February 27, 2020 |
| CGI animated remake of The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back. | |||
| 23 | "Secrets of the Jungle" "Kōkō" (ココ) | December 25, 2020 | October 8, 2021 |
| 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[]
The launch of the Pokémon Go app reignited mainstream interest back into the Pokémon franchise in the Western market since its initial peak in the early 2000s. In 2016, various Hollywood film companies approached The Pokémon Company International to gain film rights. Eventually, Legendary Pictures struck a deal to produce a live-action adaptation of Detective Pikachu, marking it the first official live-action Pokémon film.
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 1 | "Detective Pikachu" "Meitantei Pikachū" (名探偵ピカチュウ) | May 3, 2019 | May 10, 2019 |
| A boy will partner up with a talking Detective Pikachu to solve mysteries. | |||
TV Specials[]
These special films, which run longer than the normal half-hour and are not usually separated into more than one episode in either the original or the dub, are often considered TV Pokémon movies, not counting towards the running total. They never appear in theaters, but are instead broadcast on the same networks that the regular anime is broadcast for their premieres. Though they may air around the same time as other episodes of the anime, usually in the anime's normal timeslot, they are not assigned episode numbers.
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 1 | "Mewtwo Returns" (Mewtwo! I Am Here) "Myūtsū! Ware wa Koko ni Ari" (ミュウツー！ 我はココニ在リ) | December 30, 2000 | December 4, 2001 |
| 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 and elsewhere. | |||
| 2 | "The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon" (The Terrifying Mirage Pokémon) "Senritsu no Mirāju Pokemon" (戦慄のミラージュポケモン) | October 13, 2006 | April 29, 2006 |
| 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. | |||
Pikachu Shorts[]
Pikachu shorts are anime shorts that are commonly shown at the start of the Pokémon movies, but have also been expanded to fulfill other purposes.
| # | English title Japanese title |
Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | United States | ||
| 1 | "Pikachu's Vacation" (Pikachu's Vacation) "Pikachu's Summer Vacation" (ピカチュウのなつやすみ) | July 18, 1998 | November 10, 1999 |
| When Ash Ketchum and his friends stumble upon a Pokémon-only vacation resort, they decide to let their Pokémon have a day of fun and relaxation and let all their Pokémon out as the trainers go relax on their own. | |||
| 2 | "Pikachu's Rescue Adventure" (The Pikachu Expedition) "Pikachū Tankentai" (ピカチュウたんけんたい) | July 17, 1999 | July 21, 2000 |
| Ash, Misty, and Tracey's Pokémon sneak away on vacation and find an area with a nice waterfall and a huge tree. Suddenly, a storm kicks up. | |||
| 3 | "Pikachu & Pichu" (Pichu and Pikachu) "Pichū to Pikachū" (ピチューとピカチュウ) | July 8, 2000 | April 6, 2001 |
| While in a city, Pikachu wanders off and meets a pair of mischievous Pichu brothers. | |||
| 4 | "Pikachu's PikaBoo" (Pikachu's Exciting Hide-and-Seek) "Pikachū no Dokidoki Kakurenbo" (ピカチュウのドキドキかくれんぼ) | July 7, 2001 | March 18, 2003 |
| Pikachu and Ash and Misty's other Pokémon play hide-and-seek in a mansion and its gardens. | |||
| 5 | "Camp Pikachu" (Pikapika Starry Sky Camp) "Pikapika Hoshizora Kyanpu" (ピカピカ星空キャンプ) | July 13, 2002 | January 20, 2004 |
| Pikachu reunites with the Pichu brothers, and they all have a campout with Ash and Misty's other Pokémon. | |||
| 6 | "Gotta Dance!" (Secret Base of the Dancing Pokémon) "Odoru Pokemon Himitsu Kichi" (おどるポケモンひみつ基地) | July 19, 2003 | June 1, 2004 |
| Pikachu and Ash, May, and Brock's other Pokémon have a dance with Meowth. | |||
| 7 | "Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade" (Meloetta's Sparkling Recital) "Meroetta no Kirakira Risaitaru" (メロエッタのキラキラリサイタル) | July 14, 2012 | February 15, 2013 |
| Pikachu, Pansage, Oshawott, Snivy, their trainers' Pokémon and the Pokémon from other regions help Meloetta retrieve a tree's special berries. | |||
| 8 | "Eevee & Friends" (Pikachu and its Eievui Friends) "Pikachū to Ībui Furenzu" (ピカチュウとイーブイ☆フレンズ) | July 13, 2013 | December 6, 2013 |
| Pikachu and friends meet an Eevee and its evolved brothers and sisters, including the new Pokémon Sylveon. | |||
| 9 | "Pikachu, What's This Key?" (Pikachu, What's This Key For?) "Pikachū, Kore Nan no Kagi?" (ピカチュウ、これなんのカギ？) | July 19, 2014 | February 2, 2015 |
| Pikachu and the other Pokémon of Ash and his friends meet a Klefki who has keys that open up portals to other worlds. | |||
| 10 | "Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad" (Pikachu and the Pokémon Band) "Pikachu to Pokémon ongakutai" (ピカチュウとポケモンおんがくたい) | July 18, 2015 | December 21, 2015 |
| Pikachu and friends make music. | |||
See also[]
- Pokémon anime
- List of Pokémon episodes (seasons 1–13)
- List of Pokémon episodes (seasons 14–current)
- List of Pokémon characters
- List of Pokémon theme songs
- List of Pokémon anime characters
- List of Pokémon video games
References[]
- ↑ Brian. "Next Pokemon movie titled "Pokemon – I Choose You!", teaser". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Brian. "Pokémon the Movie 2018 to debut July 13 in Japan, first teaser". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Brian. "Pokémon the Movie 2018 to debut July 13 in Japan, first teaser". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
{{cite web}}:
External links[]
- "Pokémon Movies – US official website".
{{cite web}}: - "Pokémon Movies – JP official website" .
{{cite web}}:
