Since its initial airing in 1997, the Pokémon anime series has garnered immense popularity, spanning across 27 seasons and over 1000 episodes, with some even being prohibited at times. The franchise has also produced a total of 25 films, including the first animated film titled “Pokémon: The First Movie,” which was released in 1998. There’s also a CGI remake of the initial film and a live-action movie called “Detective Pikachu.” With Ash Ketchum departing from the series in 2023, marking the end of his 26-year adventure, any potential future Pokémon films might focus on a new main character.
Observing from a distance, it’s fascinating to witness the evolution of the Pokémon series. Starting with merely 151 creatures when the first movie debuted, the count swelled to around 900 by the release of “Secrets of the Jungle” in 2020. The films showcase not just Ash and his companions’ journeys but also the broader Pokémon universe with its myriad species, settings, characters, and challenges. With such a vast array of films, it leaves one pondering which ones are truly unmissable. Which among these numerous cinematic offerings are the finest and most worth experiencing?
10) Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
In the heart of the Okoya Forest resides the legendary Pokémon Zarude, a community of simian-like creatures who enforce strict laws keeping strangers away from their domain. One day, a lone human infant is found abandoned in the forest, and one of the Zarude takes pity on the defenseless child, choosing to depart from his group to raise him as his own, naming the baby Koko. As Koko matures, he stumbles upon the outside world, unaware that such a place existed. This revelation causes confusion about his identity and puts strain on his bond with his adoptive Pokémon father. With Koko’s discovery of humans leading to humans discovering secrets within the forest, the very sanctity of the jungle is under threat.
The 2020 film, titled “Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back-Evolution,” can be seen as a modern-day take on movies like “Tarzan” and “FernGully,” set within the alternate timeline of “Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!” This movie offers an opportunity to appreciate newer additions to the Pokémon franchise, rather than dismissing them just because they lack nostalgia.
Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle can be streamed on Netflix.
9) Pokémon Heroes
On their travels, Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock pause in Alto Mare, a city famed for its winding canals. Here, they participate in an annual event called the Pokémon Water Race. While Misty and Brock go off to have fun, Ash encounters a puzzling girl being menaced by the Pokémon allies of Team Rocket’s Annie and Oakley. Later, when he meets her again, she denies any prior encounter with him, leaving Ash perplexed. It turns out that the girl Ash saved was none other than Latias – a powerful Pokémon who can mimic a human form, specifically Bianca in this case. Latias is well-known among locals as one of the Eon Pokémon guarding Alto Mare along with a mystical artifact called the Soul Dew. However, trouble brews when Annie and Oakley try to seize Latias and her companion, Latios.
In this 2002 Pokémon movie, the backdrop is Venice-like with intricate canals and winding city streets. Instead of calling out their names, a modern, speedy Pokémon yells “AAAHHHH!”. This film stands out with its distinctive style and unusual viewpoint. Remarkably, after it dies, the characters experience the world through the eyes of this plane-like Pokémon.
8) Pokémon: Detective Pikachu
Upon the disappearance of private investigator Harry Goodman, his 21-year-old son Tim takes on the case. Joining forces with Harry’s former humorous and sharp-witted Pokémon detective partner, Pikachu, they embark on an adventure to unravel the mystery. Sharing a unique ability to understand each other, they delve into the bustling city of Ryme City, where people and Pokémon live harmoniously. As their investigation progresses, they stumble upon a conspiracy that surpasses anything they had anticipated, posing a significant threat to the tranquility of the Pokémon world.
Regardless of whether viewers were genuinely enthusiastic or secretly skeptical, Pokémon fans were tuning in when the live-action film debuted in 2019. And with Detective Pikachu outperforming all other Pokémon films at the Box Office, even unseating Pokémon: The First Movie as the second highest-grossing, it’s safe to say that the film wasn’t a failure. In any case, whether you appreciate the style or not, it’s worth giving it a try at least once.
7) Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
Ash and Pikachu journey to the charming Fura City for the yearly Wind Festival, aiming to secure victory in the Catch Race. During their visit, they encounter a group of new acquaintances: Margo, Mayor Oliver’s daughter; Callahan, an overconfident and deceitful individual who schemes to dishonestly win the Catch Race to captivate his niece Kellie; Toren, a timid scientist working at Fula City’s Pokémon Research Center; Risa, a former runner seeking an Eevee for her younger brother Rick’s request; and Harriet, affectionately known as “Granny,” who has a less than favorable opinion of Pokémon.
However, disaster strikes when the Wind Festival’s Sacred Flame vanishes, causing Fura City to lose its wind, leading to calamity. The group unites to investigate and solve the problem, appealing to Lugia for assistance, along with the enigmatic Pokémon Zeraora.
In 2018, this movie offered a delightful, charming diversion from Ash Ketchum and Pikachu’s regular Pokemon adventure, serving as an extension of the “Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!” alternate timeline with a loosely structured storyline featuring intriguing characters.
6) Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys
Upon reaching LaRousse City, Ash, Pikachu, May, Brock, and Max are left speechless by the city’s cutting-edge technology – robots, digital screens, and various devices designed for everyday life. As Ash searches for the Battle Tower to face his upcoming challenge, he inadvertently encounters it. However, the trainer he pairs up with unexpectedly turns out to be Tory, who wasn’t even a Pokémon trainer before! Terrified of Pokémon due to a traumatic childhood experience, Tory was unintentionally brought along. An enigmatic force then emerges in the city and starts manipulating its technological infrastructure, causing chaos. This provokes the attention of the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza, prompting Ash and his friends to drive out the intruder before the situation escalates further.
2004’s franchise movie raises an intriguing question: What does “Pokémon” truly represent when these creatures can potentially destroy your home, challenge our understanding of the afterlife, and even distort reality with their cosmic powers? Given Tory’s fear, it seems his apprehension is well-founded.
5) Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Dawn embark on their journey towards Alamos Town via a hot air balloon ride offered by a local resident named Alice. In Alamos Town, they aim to visit the Alamos Town Contest Hall, which is located near the Space-Time Towers – centuries-old structures constructed by architect Godey that play music.
However, during their stay, Alice’s friend Tonio notices strange dimensional disturbances. These odd occurrences are attributed to a mysterious Pokémon named Darkrai. Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, the true culprits are two legendary Pokémon – Dialga, the Temporal Pokémon, and Palkia, the Spatial Pokémon. Their interdimensional conflict is causing the disturbances, which have been foretold in an ancient prophecy. According to Tonio, his great-grandfather left behind a solution to stop Dialga and Palkia before Alamos Town is destroyed, so Ash and his companions must now intervene to save the town.
Dialga and Palkia might not be considered absolute top-tier like Arceus in the Pokemon franchise, but they certainly make things more interesting with their abilities to manipulate time and space. The 2007 film, “Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai,” provided an excellent supplementary story for the popular Sinnoh region era of the series. Similarly, just like how Pokemon Heroes was inspired by Venice, Italy, Alamos Town in the franchise offers a nod to Barcelona, Spain.
Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai can be streamed on Hulu where available.
4) Pokémon: Jirachi, Wish Maker
The group, which includes Ash, Brock, May, and Max, head to the Millennium Festival for a unique experience: viewing the Millennium Comet believed to grant wishes. During the event, they attend a magic show by the Great Butler. Suddenly, a mysterious voice emanates from a peculiar cocoon that Butler carries. This leads to an exciting discovery as Jirachi emerges and becomes Max’s new friend. However, Jirachi’s presence is temporary, coinciding with the Millennium Comet’s passage. Max cherishes this brief encounter. Simultaneously, the Great Butler harbors sinister intentions, planning to exploit Jirachi’s wish-granting powers to resurrect the dangerous Legendary Pokémon, Groudon.
Revisiting an age-old concept, the idea of making wishes on stars has been popular for years. However, considering the possibility of wishing upon a Pokémon takes this to a whole new level! Granted, it might seem rather powerful, but imagine having a lovable Pokémon fulfilling all your imaginative desires – wouldn’t that be a dream come true? Released in 2003, “Pokémon: Jirachi, Wish Maker” is an enjoyable movie choice for those Pokémon nights you want to unwind with.
3) Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
In the face of an impending war between kingdoms outside Camaron Palace, it was Sir Aaron, the self-proclaimed Protector of Aura, who stepped in to avert disaster by giving up his life. To this day, the palace honors his bravery with an annual tournament. This year’s champion, Ash, was granted the privilege of using the staff that once belonged to Sir Aaron. However, as Lucario, the servant of the Protector of Aura, emerged from the staff, he scurried away in bewilderment. Meanwhile, Mew, the legendary Pokémon, took Pikachu to the fabled Tree of Beginning. With Lucario being the only one familiar with the tree’s location and wary of humans due to his past experiences with his master, Sir Aaron, Ash and companions must earn Lucario’s trust as they delve into the secrets of the distant past.
Yes, you could rephrase it as “The 2005 film featuring the Guardian of Aura and Lucario as the Aura Pokémon showcases an opulent, regal medieval style that adds a distinctive, fashionable flair, much like ‘Guardian of Aura Farming’.
2) Pokémon 3: The Movie
When Professor Spencer Hale goes missing during his investigation of the enigmatic Pokémon Unown, his daughter Molly finds a single hint to his disappearance – a container holding tiles etched with images of Unown. Curiously playing with the letter-shaped Pokémon tokens, Molly yearns for her father’s return. Stirred by her longing, the Unown stir to life and conjure up the legendary Pokémon Entei as a substitute paternal figure for Molly.
Upon arriving in Greenfield, Ash, Misty, and Brock are taken aback to find that the usually verdant Greenfield is instead blanketed in crystalline structures. Upon discovering the Unown behind this phenomenon, the trio decides to look into it further. However, things take an unexpected turn when Ash’s mother gets captured by Entei after Molly wishes for a mother, resulting in Ash and his companions encountering more challenges than they initially anticipated as they grapple with Entei and Molly.
Unlike some Pokémon movies that seem to lack action until midway, this film is filled with captivating mystery from start to finish, even before the short film “Pikachu and Pichu” starts. Released in 2000, “Pokémon 3: The Movie” presents a dream-like atmosphere with its crystalline landscape and Entei who fulfills Molly’s desires in a deceptive manner.
1) Pokémon: The First Movie
When scientists from Team Rocket utilize a fossil belonging to the mythical Pokemon Mew to birth Mewtwo, the artificially created Pokemon, driven by anger over its own creation and existence, unleashes a rampage. Seizing the chance to control this powerful creature for personal gain, Team Rocket’s chief, Giovanni, assures Mewtwo that it will be treated as an equal partner and assist in honing its powers. Over time, Mewtwo is exploited into performing malicious acts, feeling deceived by humanity and seeking retribution. Dressed as the world’s top Pokemon trainer, Mewtwo entices other trainers under the pretext of competition, only to seize their Pokemons. Caught up in this dark plot, Ash, Brock, and Misty confront Mewtwo with the aim of liberating the seized Pokemons and rekindling Mewtwo’s trust in humanity.
Speaking casually and clearly, Pokémon: The First Movie, which was the initial Pokémon film released back in 1998, continues to be engaging. Moreover, it features a prelude known as Pikachu’s Vacation. This movie not only introduces intriguing ideas such as cloning Pokémon but also delves into profound philosophical thoughts about the consequences of existence. To put it simply, this film highlights Mewtwo’s famous statement that encapsulates its message: “I now understand that the circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant; it is what you do with your life that defines who you are.
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2025-08-30 22:42