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Every Pokémon Movie Ever, in Chronological Order
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The Pokemon Company
By: Akaash Sharma
Justin Cohen
Published Feb 5, 2024
Pokémon is such a powerhouse that it’s not bound to just a few kinds of media. Though it originally started as a video game, it has since grown to become the highest-grossing media franchise, including books, films, comic books, animation, trading card collectibles, Pokemon Go, and more. Pokémon has grossed an estimated $110 billion in revenue, which is more than the MCU and Star Wars put together and Pokémon movies are a big reason why. Approximately $1.85 billion of that number comes from the box office. The first Pokémon movie dropped in the summer of 1998 in Japan and November of 1999 in North America and ever since they’ve been dropping steadily for nearly a quarter of a century. So to help you learn about the film part of the IP, we've put together a breakdown of the Pokemon movies in order and where you can watch them in 2024.
Below, we’ve outlined what all of the Pokémon movies are and what order to watch them. From 'Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back' to 'Detective Pikachu,' here are all 24 Pokémon movies in order.
RELATED: The 15 Most Iconic 'Pokémon' Villains Across The Anime, Video Games, and More
The Pokémon Movies, in Order:
- Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (1999)
- Pokémon: The Movie 2000 – The Power of One (2000)
- Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown (2001)
- Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest (2002)
- Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias (2003)
- Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker (2004)
- Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (2005)
- Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2006)
- Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2007)
- Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai (2008)
- Pokémon: Giratina & the Sky Warrior (2009)
- Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009)
- Pokémon – Zoroark: Master of Illusions (2011)
- Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram, White – Victini and Zekrom (2011)
- Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice (2012)
- Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and The Legend Awakened (2o13)
- Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (2014)
- Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (2015)
- Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (2016)
- Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)
- Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us (2018)
- Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution (2020)
- Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle (2021)
- Detective Pikachu (2019)
How Many 'Pokémon' Movies are There?
In terms of actual Pokémon movies, there have been 23 animated ones and 1 live-action movie. There are also television specials and Pikachu shorts, but while they’re more than TV episodes, they don’t quite count as movies either.
Every Pokémon Movie Ever, in Chronological Order
1. 'Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back' (1999)
- Release Date: November 10, 1999
- Runtime: 85 Minutes
In the first movie, Ash, Brock, Misty, and many other Pokémon trainers travel to an island where they think they’ll be battling another Pokémon trainer. Instead, they’re met by Mewtwo, one of the most powerful Pokémon ever. He’s genetically engineered and plans to take over the world with other cloned Pokémon. When released in Japan, this film grossed¥r.7.6 billion at the box office in Japan. Today, it's one of the highest grossing Japanese films ever.
2. 'Pokémon: The Movie 2000 – The Power of One' (2000)
- Release Date: July 21, 2000
- Runtime: 84 Minutes
In this movie, the legendary Pokémon Lugia is the focus. At a festival honoring Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, Lawrence III plans to capture them and Lugia. Ash, Misty, and Tracey find themselves there and must try to stop him. This film did slightly less than its predecessor at the box office in Japan, grossing¥6.4 billion, but worldwide it also holds the title of one of the highest grossing Japanese films of all time.
3. 'Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown' (2001)
- Release Date: April 6, 2001
- Runtime: 74 Minutes
A girl named Molly Hale is left alone after her father Professor Spencer Hale is sucked into the dimension of the Unown after doing research on it. Delia Ketchum, Ash’s mother, is one of the people who go into the dimension to help. Ash and his friends do their best to try to retrieve everyone. This film grossed¥4.85 billion at Japan’s box office. Despite the success of its predecessors, this was the first Pokémon movie to premiere in an IMAX theater.
4. 'Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest' (2002)
- Release Date: October 11, 2002
- Runtime: 80 Minutes
The Pokémon at the focus of the fourth Pokémon movie is Celebi, a Mythical Pokémon. Celebi is being hunted down by the evil Iron-Masked Marauder of Team Rocket. Ash, Misty, and Brock meet up with Celebi and Sam, a boy from 40 years in the past. In terms of the box office, this film followed the downward trend since the first movie, doing just¥3.9 billion at the box office.
5. 'Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias' (2003)
- Release Date: May 16, 2003
- Runtime: 71 Minutes
Ash, Misty, and Brock are on their way to Alto Mare when Annie and Oakley try to steal the Soul Dew, a crystal that will give them access to the legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias. Without the crystal, the city cannot stay safe, so Ash, Misty, and Brock must keep it safe. This film did¥2.67 billion at Japan’s box office.
6. 'Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker' (2004)
- Release Date: June 1, 2004
- Runtime: 81 Minutes
Jirachi – The Wish Maker marks the start of the Ruby and Sapphire series for Pokémon. The Millennium Comet appears once in the sky every thousand years. This coincides with the awakening of Jirachi, a Mythical Pokémon. Jirachi grants a wish every time it awakens and this powerful capability makes it the target of former Team Magma member Butler. This film broke the descending box office numbers for Pokémon, pulling in¥4.5 billion.
7. 'Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys' (2005)
- Release Date: January 22, 2005
- Runtime: 98 Minutes
A meteorite that crashes into earth reveals Deoxys, who is eventually destroyed by the sky guardian Rayquaza. Four years later when Ash, May, Max, and Brock are visiting LaRousse City, they meet a boy named Tory whose parents are testing the egg from which Deoxys came in a lab. They end up having to protect the city. This film grossed¥4.38 billion at Japan’s box office.
8. 'Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew' (2006)
- Release Date: September 19, 2006
- Runtime: 103 Minutes
In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, Ash, May, Max, and Brock must help Lucario trace the events that led to his abandonment. They must also save Mew, Pikachu, and Meowth from the Tree of Beginning. The eighth Pokémon film did¥4.3 billion at the box office, with critics praising it for its general direction, while noting that it wasn't going to do anything to propel the genre.
9. 'Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea' (2007)
- Release Date: March 23, 2007
- Runtime: 107 Minutes
The egg of Mythical Pokémon Manaphy falls into the hands of a pirate. A Pokémon Ranger gives the egg to May, telling her, Ash, Brock, and Max to keep it safe until it hatches. When it does hatch, the Manaphy must not fall into the hands of the Phantom, or it will lose its home forever. This film managed to gross¥3.4 billion at the box office.
10. 'Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai' (2008)
- Release Date: February 24, 2008
- Runtime: 90 Minutes
This film marks the start of the Diamond and Pearl series for Pokémon. Dialga and Palkia are battling in their dimension before the Space-Time Towers pull into Alamos Town. Ash and his friends must not only try to save the town before it gets destroyed but also clear the name of the Darkrai that people blamed for it. This film grossed¥5.02 billion at Japan’s box office.
11. 'Pokémon: Giratina & the Sky Warrior' (2009)
- Release Date: February 13, 2009
- Runtime: 96 Minutes
When dark clouds form in the Reverse World, Giratina goes after the cause of the storm, Dialga and Palkia. Giratina and Dialga battle in the Pokémon world and Giratina’s realm. Meanwhile, Ash, Dawn, and Brock help out Shaymin. Giratina & the Sky Warrior managed to gross¥4.8 billion.
12. 'Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life' (2009)
- Release Date: November 20, 2009
- Runtime: 94 Minutes
Michina Town is an ancient area that is surrounded by legendary Pokémon. When Dialga and Giratina continue fighting, a woman called Sheena who guards the town stops their battle and brings them peace. At this point, Arceus returns and wants revenge for the fact that the town betrayed him long ago. Ash and his friends must travel back in time to stop this betrayal from happening.
13. 'Pokémon – Zoroark: Master of Illusions' (2011)
- Release Date: February 5, 2011
- Runtime: 96 Minutes
This time, the Pokémon Baccer World Cup should be the focus, and Ash, Dawn, and Brock arrive ready for the tournament but instead find themselves faced with Raikou, Entei, and Suicune who are destroying the city. It turns out that a villain is behind it all and they must stop him. This film did¥4.16 billion at the box office.
14. 'Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram, White – Victini and Zekrom' (2011)
- Release Date: July 16, 2011
- Runtime: 96 Minutes
As you might be able to tell from the name, this movie kicks off the Black & White series of the anime. In this movie, Ash, Iris, and Cilan arrive in Eindoak Town for a battle tournament. They meet the Victory Pokémon Victini, but not long afterward, he is captured by Damon who plans to destroy the world. This film did¥4.33 billion at the box office.
15. 'Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice' (2012)
- Release Date: December 8, 2012
- Runtime: 71 Minutes
Here, Ash, Iris, and Cilan must help the Mythical Pokémon Keldeo escape from the Legendary Pokémon Kyurem after it challenged it and failed to beat it. This film celebrates the 90thanniversary of Shogakukan, one of Pokémon’s main publishers. It did¥3.61 billion at the box office. Interestingly, one of the main criticisms of this movie was how Keldeo looked, with many saying it was too childish even in the context of an animated show.
16. 'Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and The Legend Awakened' (2013)
- Release Date: October 19, 2013
- Runtime: 72 Minutes
To close off the Black & White series comes Genesect and The Legend Awakened. While Ash, Iris, and Cilan are visiting New Tork City while the Genesect Army is attacking it. Ash is protected by Mewtwo, who surprisingly sides with the city despite sympathizing with the Genesect Army. Mewtwo and Red Genesect end up battling.
17. 'Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction' (2014)
- Release Date: November 8, 2014
- Runtime: 76 Minutes
Diamond Domain is a land that is given power by the Heart Diamond, which can only be created by the princess, Diancie. Unfortunately, she does not have the power to do this and the land is aging. Ash and his friends must help her on her journey. This movie did ¥2.91 billionat the box office.
18. 'Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages' (2015)
- Release Date: December 19, 2015
- Runtime: 73 Minutes
Ash, Pikachu, and friends meet Mythical Pokémon Hoopa who tells them the tale of a hero who stopped a scary Pokémon from taking over some time ago. It has been bottled up for a long time but is in danger of coming back once more. As is often the case, Ash and his friends must help stop it. The film boasts a box office number of ¥2.61 billion.
19. 'Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel' (2016)
- Release Date: December 5, 2016
- Runtime: 97 Minutes
Closing out the XY series of Pokémon is Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel. When Ash and his friends see a bunch of smoke in the sky, they come across Volcanion. Ash becomes bonded to it, despite the Pokémon hating humans. Ash must go with Volcanion as it tries to rescue Magearna.
20. 'Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!' (2017)
- Release Date: November 5, 2017
- Runtime: 98 Minutes
Kicking off the Sun & Moon series is I Choose You!, which is actually set in an alternate continuity. We go to Pallet Town where it’s Ash’s tenth birthday and his goal is to become a Pokémon trainer with Pikachu by his side. This film grossed¥3.55 billion at the box office.
21. 'Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us' (2018)
- Release Date: November 24, 2018
- Runtime: 98 Minutes
The Wind Festival in Fula City celebrates the Legendary Pokémon Lugia. A new kind of danger threatens not only the festival but the city and Ash and Pikachu must help to save it. It's a forest fire and a poisonous spore. The Power of Us grossed¥3.09 billion at the box office.
22. 'Detective Pikachu' (2019)
- Release Date: May 10, 2019
- Runtime: 105 Minutes
Detective Pikachu was the 2019 offering and is the only live-action Pokémon movie. It’s a mystery film directed by Rob Letterman and it’s a loose adaptation of the 2016 game of the same name. Tim Goodman’s father Harry Goodman goes missing, which prompts Tim to find out what happened with Detective Pikachu by his side. Tim is the only human that can talk to Pikachu, making for some interesting moments. The movie grossed an incredible $433,514,834 worldwide.
23. 'Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution' (2020)
- Release Date: February 27, 2020
- Runtime: 98 Minutes
This is a CGI remake of Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back, so you can either watch it here, in its release order, in place of the first movie or right after it to see the difference. Either way, you'll appreciate how the passage of time helped things here. Despite the film being a remake, it still did¥2.98 billion at the box office in Japan.
24. 'Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle' (2021)
- Release Date: October 8, 2021
- Runtime: 101 Minutes
Interestingly, this movie is set in the alternate continuity that is first introduced in 2017’s I Choose You! movie. Ash and Pikachu meet Koko, a young man who is certainly a human but believes himself to be a Pokémon because that’s how he was raised. They help him realize his past, which eventually unearths a plot that could destroy the young boy’s home. This film did¥2.02 billion at Japan’s box office, the lowest of any movie yet.
What Order Should I Watch the 'Pokémon' Movies In?
For all but one series of movies, the release order for the Pokémon movies is actually also the chronological order, so that’s the order we’ve got for you. The first two movies released in the Sun & Moon series are actually set in an alternate continuity and the first is a CGI remake of a previous film, but this order’s great because you’re watching in release order and by the time you get to 2017’s I Choose You, it just feels like a prequel.
Where Can I Watch the 'Pokémon' Movies?
There isn’t one spot where you can stream all of the Pokémon movies, but for the most part, they’re easily accessible with platforms like Hulu and Prime Video.
What Is the Longest Pokémon Movie?
- Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
- Runtime: 107 Minutes
- Release Date: 2007
There are only a few Pokémon movies that break the 100 minute threshold. Of those movies that reach over 100 minutes, Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea clocks in at the longest. This movie is 107 minutes in length and is the ninth Pokémon movie in chronological order.
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