List of Pokémon films facts for kids
Pokémon is a super popular series about amazing creatures called Pokémon! It was created by a video game designer named Satoshi Tajiri. As of 2020, there have been 23 animated movies and one live-action movie. Most of the animated films are based on the TV show, but some of the newer ones (like the 20th, 21st, and 23rd) tell different stories.
These movies are made by animation studios like OLM, Production I.G, Xebec, and Wit Studio. In Japan, they are shown by Toho, and in North America, different companies release them. Directors like Kunihiko Yuyama and Tetsuo Yajima, and writers like Takeshi Shudo and Hideki Sonoda, have helped bring these stories to life.
The very first Pokémon animated movie, Pokémon: The First Movie, came out in Japan in 1998. It was even remade later as Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution.
In the animated movies, you'll usually follow the adventures of the Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum and his best friend, the electric mouse Pikachu.
There's also a live-action movie called Detective Pikachu. It's based on a 2016 video game and stars Ryan Reynolds as the voice and movements of Detective Pikachu. Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton play the main human characters. This movie was made by an American studio called Legendary Entertainment and directed by Rob Letterman. It was released on May 10, 2019.
Besides the main movies, there are also two animated TV specials that aired on TV Tokyo and ten short animated films, often called "Pikachu shorts."
The 23rd and most recent animated film, Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, was supposed to come out in Japan in July 2020. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was delayed to December 25, 2020. In the United States, it came out on October 8, 2021.
| 2019 | Detective Pikachu |
|---|
Animated Pokémon Movies
These are the main animated movies that have been released in theaters.
| # | English Title | Japanese Title | Japanese Release Date | North American Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back | Mewtwo Strikes Back (ミュウツーの逆襲, Mewtwo no Gyakushū) | July 18, 1998 | November 12, 1999 |
| Ash, Misty, Brock, and other trainers go to an island. They find Mewtwo, a super-strong Pokémon created by scientists for Team Rocket. Mewtwo plans to take over the world with other cloned Pokémon! | ||||
| 2 | Pokémon: The Movie 2000 - The Power of One | Mirage Pokémon: Lugia's Explosive Birth (幻のポケモン ルギア爆誕, Maboroshi no Pokémon Lugia Bakutan) | July 17, 1999 | July 21, 2000 |
| Ash, Misty, and Tracey visit Shamouti Island. Ash gets involved in a festival for Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. A Pokémon collector named Lawrence III is trying to catch them, and also the legendary Lugia! | ||||
| 3 | Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown | Emperor of The Crystal Tower: ENTEI (結晶塔の帝王 ENTEI, Kesshōtō no Teiō ENTEI) | July 8, 2000 | April 6, 2001 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock try to save Ash's mom from Molly Hale. Molly is a lonely girl whose dad disappeared. The Pokémon Unown are taking care of her and have created a fake Entei. | ||||
| 4 | Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest | Celebi: The Meeting that Traversed Time (セレビィ 時を超えた遭遇（であい）, Celebi Toki o Koeta Deai) | July 7, 2001 | October 11, 2002 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock meet Sammy, a boy from 40 years in the past, and the Mythical Pokémon Celebi. An evil Team Rocket member is hunting Celebi. | ||||
| 5 | Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias | Guardian Gods of the Capital of Water: Latias and Latios (水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス, Mizu no Miyako no Mamorigami Latias to Latios) | July 13, 2002 | May 16, 2003 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock visit Alto Mare. Two thieves, Annie and Oakley, try to steal the Soul Dew. This crystal holds the power of the Legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias and keeps the city safe. | ||||
| 6 | Jirachi, Wish Maker | Wishing Star of the Seven Nights: Jirachi (七夜の願い星 ジラーチ, Nanayo no Negaiboshi Jirachi) | July 19, 2003 | June 1, 2004 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock meet the Mythical Pokémon Jirachi. Jirachi wakes up for one week every thousand years to grant a wish. They must save it from a former Team Magma member named Butler. | ||||
| 7 | Destiny Deoxys | Visitor from the Sky-Splitting: Deoxys (裂空の訪問者 デオキシス, Rekkū no Hōmonsha Deoxys) | July 17, 2004 | January 22, 2005 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock visit a city. It's attacked by the alien Pokémon Deoxys and the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza. A young boy named Tori is at the center of it all. | ||||
| 8 | Lucario and the Mystery of Mew | Mew and the Aura Hero: Lucario (ミュウと波導（はどう）の勇者 ルカリオ, Mew to Hadō no Yūsha Lucario) | July 16, 2005 | September 19, 2006 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock help an ancient Lucario. They try to figure out why he was left behind by a hero. They also save 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 (ポケモンレンジャーと蒼海（うみ）の王子 マナフィ, Pokémon Renjā to Umi no Ōji Manaphy) | July 15, 2006 | March 23, 2007 |
| A Pokémon Ranger gives May the egg of the Mythical Pokémon Manaphy. Ash, Brock, and Max must keep it safe from the evil pirate Phantom. This is to make sure Manaphy's home is not destroyed. | ||||
| 10 | The Rise of Darkrai | Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai (ディアルガVSパルキアVSダークライ, Dialga Tai Palkia Tai Darkrai) | July 14, 2007 | February 24, 2008 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock must save Alamos Town. The Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia are warping space and time. They also need to clear the name of Darkrai, who the townspeople think is causing the destruction. | ||||
| 11 | Giratina & the Sky Warrior | Giratina and the Bouquet of the Frozen Sky: Shaymin (ギラティナと氷空（そら）の花束 シェイミ, Giratina to Sora no Hanataba Sheimi) | July 19, 2008 | February 13, 2009 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock help the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin return to its flower garden. Meanwhile, Giratina and Dialga are battling in both the Pokémon world and Giratina's Reverse World. | ||||
| 12 | Arceus and the Jewel of Life | Arceus: To Conquering Space-Time (アルセウス 超克の時空へ, Arceus Chōkoku no Jikū e) | July 18, 2009 | November 20, 2009 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock go to Michina Town. They find out the Mythical Pokémon Arceus is angry because the town betrayed it long ago. When Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina can't stop it, the heroes are sent back in time to change the past. | ||||
| 13 | Zoroark—Master of Illusions | Phantom Ruler: Zoroark (幻影の覇者 ゾロアーク, Gen'ei no Hasha Zoroark) | July 10, 2010 | February 5, 2011 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock arrive in Crown City for a Pokémon tournament. They discover a Zoroark controlled by a villain. It's causing trouble by pretending to be the Legendary Pokémon Entei, Raikou, and Suicune. Zoroark's child, Zorua, asks for their help to save its mother from the evil Kodai. | ||||
| 14 | Black — Victini and Reshiram | Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram (ビクティニと白き英雄 レシラム, Victini to Shiroki Eiyū Reshiram) | July 16, 2011 | December 10, 2011 |
| White — Victini and Zekrom | Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom (ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム, Victini to Kuroki Eiyū Zekrom) | December 3, 2011 | ||
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan go to Eindoak Town for a tournament. They meet the Mythical Pokémon Victini. They must stop Damon from using Zekrom or Reshiram to restore his kingdom. But the power gets out of control and could destroy the world! | ||||
| 15 | Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice | Kyurem vs. the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo (キュレムVS聖剣士 ケルディオ, Kyurem tai Seikenshi Keldeo) | July 14, 2012 | December 8, 2012 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan help the Mythical Pokémon Keldeo escape from the Legendary Pokémon Kyurem. Kyurem wants to battle Keldeo after freezing its friends, the Sacred Swordsmen Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion. | ||||
| 16 | Genesect and the Legend Awakened | ExtremeSpeed Genesect: Mewtwo Awakens (神速のゲノセクト ミュウツー覚醒, Shinsoku no Genesect Mewtwo Kakusei) | July 13, 2013 | October 19, 2013 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan visit New Tork City. They are attacked by a group of Genesect who are angry about losing their home. Mewtwo saves them and wants to help the Genesect, but also stop them from destroying the city. | ||||
| 17 | Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction | Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (破壊の繭とディアンシー, Hakai no Mayu to Diancīe) | July 19, 2014 | November 8, 2014 |
| The Mythical Pokémon Diancie needs to make a new Heart Diamond to save her kingdom of Carbink. She seeks help from the Legendary Life Pokémon Xerneas. She meets Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie along the way. They help her escape jewel thieves and stop the accidental awakening of the Legendary Destruction Pokémon Yveltal. | ||||
| 18 | Hoopa and the Clash of Ages | The Archdjinni of the Rings: Hoopa (光輪の超魔神 フーパ, Ring no Chōmajin Hoopa) | July 18, 2015 | December 19, 2015 |
| Ash, Pikachu, and their friends meet the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa. Hoopa can summon things through its magic rings! They learn about a hero who stopped a terrifying Pokémon long ago. Now, that danger might break loose again! Can Ash help Hoopa overcome its dark side? | ||||
| 19 | Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel | Volcanion and the Exquisite Magearna (ボルケニオンと機巧のマギアナ, Volcanion to Karakuri no Magearna) | July 16, 2016 | December 5, 2016 |
| Ash and his friends meet the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion. Ash becomes linked to it by a mysterious force. Volcanion, who doesn't like humans, has to bring Ash along as it goes to the Azoth Kingdom. Volcanion wants to rescue the artificial Mythical Pokémon Magearna from a bad minister. This minister wants to use Magearna's power to take over the kingdom. Ash and Volcanion must work together! | ||||
| 20 | I Choose You! | Kimi Ni Kimeta! (キミにきめた！) | July 15, 2017 | November 25, 2017 |
| Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town turns 10 today! This means he's old enough to become a Pokémon Trainer. Ash dreams of amazing adventures after getting his first Pokémon from Professor Oak. | ||||
| 21 | The Power of Us | Everyone's Story (みんなの物語, Minna no Monogatari) | July 13, 2018 | December 8, 2018 |
| A group of different people come together for the annual Wind Festival in Fula City. The festival celebrates the Legendary Pokémon Lugia, who brings the wind to the city. When dangers threaten the festival and the city, Ash and Pikachu need help! Can everyone work together to save the day? | ||||
| 22 | Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution | Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution (ミュウツーの逆襲 EVOLUTION, Mewtwo no Gyakushū EVOLUTION) | July 12, 2019 | February 27, 2020 (Netflix) |
| This is a new computer-animated version of the very first movie, The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back. | ||||
| 23 | Secrets of the Jungle | Coco (ココ, Kōkō) | December 25, 2020 | October 8, 2021 |
| Ash and Pikachu meet Koko, a young man raised by the Pokémon Zarude who thinks he's a Pokémon too! They help him learn about his real family and past. This leads them to discover a plan by the Biotope Company that could destroy Zarude's home in the Forest of Okoya. | ||||
Live-Action Pokémon Movies
After the mobile game Pokémon Go became super popular in 2016, many Hollywood companies wanted to make a Pokémon movie. Eventually, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment made a deal. They decided to create a live-action movie based on the 2016 video game Detective Pikachu. This became the first official live-action Pokémon film! A sequel to Pokémon Detective Pikachu is already being planned.
| # | English Title | Japanese Title | North American Release Date | Japanese Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detective Pikachu | Meitantei Pikachū (名探偵ピカチュウ) | May 10, 2019 | May 3, 2019 |
| A young man teams up with a talking Detective Pikachu to solve the mystery of his missing father. | ||||
Pokémon TV Films
These are special TV movies that are longer than regular episodes. They don't usually count towards the main movie total and are shown on TV, not in theaters.
| English Title | Japanese Title | Japanese Release Date | North American Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mewtwo Returns | Mewtwo! I Am Here (ミュウツー！ 我はココニ在リ, Myūtsū! Ware wa Koko ni Ari) | December 30, 2000 | December 4, 2001 | |
| Mewtwo has been hiding in the Johto region, but Giovanni of Team Rocket finds him. Giovanni wants to catch the powerful Mewtwo again for his own plans. | ||||
| Pokemon: The Legend of Thunder | Pocket Monsters Crystal: Raikou - Legend of Thunder (ポケットモンスタークリスタル・ライコウ 雷の伝説, Poketto monsuta kurisutaru: Raikou kaminari no densetsu) | December 30, 2001 | June 3, 2006 June 10, 2006 |
|
| Jimmy meets his old friend, Marina. They team up with Vincent to stop Hun and Attila from stealing Raikou. | ||||
| Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon | The Terrifying Mirage Pokémon (戦慄のミラージュポケモン, Senritsu no Mirāju Pokemon) | October 13, 2006 | April 29, 2006 | |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock meet up with Misty and Professor Oak. They investigate Dr. Yung's new Mirage Pokémon system. But a mysterious Mirage Master appears with a Mirage Mewtwo, and Ash must stop his plans to take over the world! | ||||
Short Films
Pikachu shorts are short animated films that often play before the main Pokémon movies in theaters. There are 27 Pikachu short movies!
| # | English Title | Japanese Title | Japanese Release Date | North American Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pikachu's Vacation | Pikachu's Summer Vacation (ピカチュウのなつやすみ, Pikachū no Natsuyasumi) | July 18, 1998 | November 12, 1999 |
| Ash and his friends find a special vacation resort just for Pokémon! They let their Pokémon have a fun day while the trainers relax. | ||||
| 2 | Christmas Night | Let's Play on Christmas (クリスマスであそぼ!, Kurisumasu de Asobo!) | December 22, 1998 | November 25, 2006 |
| Pikachu, Togepi, and other Pokémon cause some playful trouble on Christmas Eve. | ||||
| 3 | Kanga Games | Let's Play in the Snow! (雪であそぼ!, Yuki de Asobo!) | December 22, 1998 | November 25, 2006 |
| The Pokémon go exploring in the snowy mountains. | ||||
| 4 | Pikachu's Rescue Adventure | The Pikachu Expedition (ピカチュウたんけんたい, Pikachū Tankentai) | July 17, 1999 | July 21, 2000 |
| Ash, Misty, and Tracey's Pokémon sneak away for their own adventure. They find a beautiful area with a waterfall and a huge tree. Then, a storm starts! | ||||
| 5 | Winter Games | Let's Play on the Ice? (こおであそぼ!, Ko o de a Sobo!) | December 22, 1999 | November 23, 2004 |
| Pikachu and his friends join their very first winter games. | ||||
| 6 | Stantler's Little Helpers | Christmas Night (クリスマスの夜, Kurisumasu no Yoru) | December 22, 1999 | November 23, 2004 |
| Pikachu and his friends want to help Stantler join a sleigh team. | ||||
| 7 | Pikachu & Pichu | Pichu and Pikachu (ピチューとピカチュウ, Pichū to Pikachū) | July 8, 2000 | April 6, 2001 |
| While in a city, Pikachu wanders off and meets two playful Pichu brothers. | ||||
| 8 | Delibird's Dilemma | Delibird's Present (デリバードのプレゼント, Deribādo no Purezento) | December 22, 2000 | June 17, 2006 |
| Ash's, Misty's, and Brock's Pokémon must find Santa's missing presents before midnight! | ||||
| 9 | Snorlax Snowman | White Story (ホワイトストーリ, Howaito Sutōrī) | December 22, 2000 | June 17, 2006 |
| This short film is a fun retelling of the "Frosty the Snowman" story, but with Pokémon and a Snorlax-shaped snowman! | ||||
| 10 | Pikachu's PikaBoo | Pikachu's Exciting Hide-and-Seek (ピカチュウのドキドキかくれんぼ, Pikachū no Dokidoki Kakurenbo) | July 7, 2001 | March 18, 2003 |
| Pikachu and Ash and Misty's other Pokémon play a thrilling game of hide-and-seek in a big mansion and its gardens. | ||||
| 11 | Camp Pikachu | Pikapika Starry Sky Camp (ピカピカ星空キャンプ, Pikapika Hoshizora Kyanpu) | July 13, 2002 | January 20, 2004 |
| Pikachu meets up with the Pichu brothers again! They all have a fun campout under the starry sky with Ash and Misty's other Pokémon. | ||||
| 12 | Gotta Dance! | Secret Base of the Dancing Pokémon (おどるポケモンひみつ基地, Odoru Pokemon Himitsu Kichi) | July 19, 2003 | June 1, 2004 |
| Pikachu and Ash, May, and Brock's other Pokémon have a dance party with Meowth! | ||||
| 13 | Pikachu's Summer Festival | Pikachu's Summer Festival (ピカチュウのなつまつり, Pikachū no Natsumatsuri) | August 1, 2004 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends enjoy a lively summer festival. | ||||
| 14 | Pokémon 3D Adventure: Find Mew! | Pokémon 3D Adventure: Find Mew! (ポケモン3Dアドベンチャー ミュウを探せ!, Pokémon 3D Adobencha: Myū o Saga se!) | March 18, 2005 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends go on a 3D adventure to find the Mythical Pokémon Mew! | ||||
| 15 | Pikachu's Ghost Carnival | Pikachu's Ghost Carnival (ピカチュウのおばケカーニバル, Pikachū no oba Karnibaru) | August 1, 2005 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends have a spooky but fun time at the Ghost Festival. | ||||
| 16 | Pokémon 4D: Pikachu's Ocean Adventure | Pokémon 3D Adventure 2: Pikachu's Grand Ocean-Floor Adventure (ポケモン3Dアドベンチャー2 ピカチュウ海底大冒険, Pokémon 3D Adobencha 2: Pikachū Kai Soko o Bōken) | May 20, 2006 | July 1, 2008 |
| Pikachu and his friends go on a grand adventure deep under the ocean. | ||||
| 17 | Pikachu's Island Adventure | Pikachu's Naughty Island (ピカチュウのわんぱくアイランド, Pikachū no Wan Airando) | August 1, 2006 | April 1, 2007 |
| Pikachu and his friends explore a playful island. | ||||
| 18 | Pikachu's Exploration Club | Pikachu's Exploration Club (ピカチュウの探検クラブ, Pikachū no Saga Ken Kurabu) | August 1, 2007 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends join an exciting exploration club. | ||||
| 19 | Pikachu's Ice Adventure | Pikachu's Ice Adventure (ピカチュウ 冰の大冒険, Pikachū Hi no o Bōken) | August 1, 2008 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends go on a chilly adventure in an icy land. | ||||
| 20 | Pikachu's Sparkle Search! | Pikachu's Sparkle Search! (ピカチュウのキラキラだいそうさく!, Pikachū no Kira Kira dai Sō Saku!) | August 1, 2009 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends search for something sparkling during an adventure. | ||||
| 21 | Pikachu's Strange Wonder Adventure | Pikachu's Strange Wonder Adventure (ピカチュウのふしざな大冒険, Pikachū no Fushi Zana o Bōken) | August 1, 2010 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends embark on a wonderfully strange adventure. | ||||
| 22 | Pikachu's Summer Bridge Story | Pikachu's Summer Bridge Story (ピカチュウのサマー・ブリッジ・ストーリー, Pikachū bo Sama Burijī Sutori) | August 1, 2011 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends enjoy a story about a summer bridge. | ||||
| 23 | Sing Meloetta: Search for the Rinka Berries | Sing Meloetta: Search for the Rinka Berries (うたえメロエッタ リンカのみをさがせ, Uta e Meroetta: Rinka no mi o saga se) | July 3, 2012 | Unaired |
| Pikachu and his friends, along with Meloetta, search for special Rinka berries. | ||||
| 24 | Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade | Meloetta's Sparkling Recital (メロエッタのキラキラリサイタル, Meroetta no Kirakira Risaitaru) | July 14, 2012 | February 15, 2013 |
| Pikachu, Pansage, Oshawott, Snivy, and other Pokémon help Meloetta find special berries from a tree. | ||||
| 25 | Eevee & Friends | Pikachu and its Eievui Friends (ピカチュウとイーブイ☆フレンズ, Pikachū to Ībui Furenzu) | July 13, 2013 | December 6, 2013 |
| Pikachu and friends meet an Eevee and its many evolved forms, including the new Pokémon Sylveon. | ||||
| 26 | Pikachu, What's This Key? | Pikachu, What's This Key For? (ピカチュウ、これなんのカギ？, Pikachū, Kore Nan no Kagi?) | July 19, 2014 | February 2, 2015 |
| Pikachu and the other Pokémon meet a Klefki that has keys. These keys open up portals to other worlds! | ||||
| 27 | Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad | Pikachu and the Pokémon Band (ピカチュウとポケモンおんがくたい, Pikachū to Pokémon on gaku Tai) | July 18, 2015 | December 21, 2015 |
| Pikachu and the other Pokémon want to sing and dance together! | ||||
See also
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List of Pokémon films Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.