There are also two animated television specials broadcast on TV Tokyo featuring Ash and his Pikachu and ten animated short films. Warner Bros. licensed the first three animated films in North America and Miramax Films licensed the following four films. From the eighth film onwards, licensing has been handled by The Pokémon Company International themselves, with various distributors handling the releases, such as Viz Media in North America.
The most recent film, Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, was originally set for release in Japanese theaters on July 10, 2020, but delayed to December 25, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released on October 8, 2021, in the United States.[6][7]
Mewtwo Strikes Back[8] (ミュウツーの逆襲, Mewtwo no Gyakushū)
July 18, 1998
November 12, 1999
Ash, Misty, and Brock, along with several other Pokémon trainers, travel to New Island under the pretence that they will be battling a superior Pokémon Trainer. However, upon arrival there, they discover that the genetically engineered Pokémon Mewtwo, created by scientist Dr. Fuji for Giovanni of Team Rocket, sent the message and plans to conquer the world with other cloned Pokémon.
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, where Ash participates in a festival honoring Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. He becomes the chosen hero foretold in a prophecy who will save them from Pokémon Collector Lawrence III, who has captured them, disturbing the balance of the world, and seeks to capture the legendary Pokémon Lugia.
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 must rescue Ash's mother, Delia, from Molly Hale, a lonely young girl who, after her father, Spencer, disappeared while researching the Pokémon Unown, befriended the Unown, who created an illusion of the Legendary Pokémon Entei to be her father figure.
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 forty years in the past, and the Mythical Pokémon Celebi, who brought him to the present and is being hunted down by the evil Iron-Masked Marauder, a member of Team Rocket whose Dark Balls are turning Pokémon evil.
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's trip to the city of Alto Mare is interrupted when Annie and Oakley, thieves and members of Team Rocket, seek to steal the Soul Dew, a crystal that holds the essence of the Legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias and protects the city.
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, who awakens for one week every thousand years to grant a wish, and must save it from former Team Magma member Butler.
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 LaRousse City, which is under attack from the extraterrestrial Pokémon Deoxys and the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza, and meet a young boy named Tori who is afraid of Pokémon.
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
After an ancient Lucario is reawakened, Ash, May, Max, and Brock help him discover the events that led to his abandonment by Sir Aaron, a man revered as a hero, while saving Pikachu, Meowth, and the Mythical Pokémon Mew from the dying Tree of World's Beginning.
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
The Pokémon Ranger Jack entrusts May with the egg of the Mythical Pokémon Manaphy and, along with Ash, Brock, and Max, she must protect him and his homeland from the evil pirate Phantom.
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 from the powers of the 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.
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 must help the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin return to the Gracidea Flower garden to participate in a flower bearing ceremony while Giratina and Dialga battle in the Pokémon world and the Reverse World.
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 travel to Michina Town, where they discover that the Mythical Pokémon Arceus is upset over the town betraying it years ago. When Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina are unable to stop it, they are sent back in time to change the past in order to change the present for the better.
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 the Pokémon Baccer World Cup, but discover that a Zoroark, under the control of the evil businessman Grings Kodai, 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 Kodai, who seeks Celebi and its ability to travel through time.
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 travel to Eindoak Town to participate in a tournament, where they meet the Mythical Pokémon Victini and must stop Damon, a descendant of Eindoak's ancient People of the Vale. He seeks to use the power of the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom[a] or Reshiram[b] and the Dragon Force to restore the Kingdom of Vale to its former glory, but this power threatens to destroy the world.
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 must help the Mythical Pokémon Keldeo escape from the Legendary Pokémon Kyurem, who seeks to battle it after freezing the Sacred Swordsmen Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion.
Ash, Iris, and Cilan visit New Tork City and the Pokémon Hills park and ally with a Mewtwo to protect the city from a group of Genesect who are angry over losing their home.
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
When the Mythical Pokémon Diancie cannot figure out how to make a new Heart Diamond to save her kingdom and her Carbink subjects, she seeks out the Legendary Life Pokémon Xerneas for help. Along the way, she meets Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie, who help her escape from those who seek to exploit her power, including Marilyn Flame and Ninja Riot, a duo of jewel thieves, and Argus Steel and his daughter Millis Steel, amidst the awakening of the Legendary Pokémon Yveltal.
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, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie are summoned to Dahara City, a desert city by the sea, through the powers of the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa, who has the ability to summon things, including people and Pokémon, through its magic rings. They learn of a hero who, one hundred years ago, stopped Hoopa, who went on a rampage after transforming into Hoopa Unbound, by sealing away Hoopa's power in the Prison Bottle. After Hoopa's shadow escapes from the Prison Bottle and attempts to take over Hoopa, it leads to a clash between several Legendary Pokémon after Hoopa summons them.
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, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie encounter the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion, who Ash becomes bonded to through an unknown force. Volcanion, who hates humans, is forced to bring Ash along with it as it heads for Azoth Kingdom to rescue the artificial Mythical Pokémon Magearna from Alva, a corrupt minister of the Kingdom who seeks to use Magearna's power to conquer it.
An alternate retelling of the first season of the original series. Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old boy from Pallet Town, begins his adventures as a Pokémon Trainer after receiving his first Pokémon, Pikachu, from Professor Oak. After witnessing a Rainbow Wing fall from the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh, he and his companions Sorrel and Verity, set out to find it at Mount Tensei. Along the way, they encounter the Mythical Pokémon Marshadow while Ash contends with his rival, the Pokémon Trainer Cross.
At the seaside Fula City, Ash participates in the annual Wind Festival, which is held to celebrate the Legendary Pokémon Lugia, who brings the wind that powers the city. Along with athlete and Pokémon Trainer Risa, compulsive liar Callahan, shy researcher Torren, bitter old woman Harriet, and Margo, the daughter of the city's mayor, Oliver, must save the city from a wildfire and a cloud of Effect Spore with help from the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora.
Ash and Pikachu encounter Koko, a young boy who Zarude took in following the death of his parents and believes himself to be a Pokémon due to being raised by one. They help him uncover his true identity and past, which is connected to Dr. Zed and a plot by the Biotope Company that threatens to destroy Zarude's home, the Forest of Okoya.[14]
Live-action films
The launch of the mobile game Pokémon Go in 2016 reignited mainstream interest in the Pokémon franchise in the Western market since its initial peak in the early 2000s, and various Hollywood film companies approached The Pokémon Company to gain film rights. Eventually, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment struck a deal to produce a live-action adaptation of the 2016 video game Detective Pikachu; Pokémon Detective Pikachu, the first official live-action Pokémon film. In January 2019, ahead of the film's release, Legendary began development on a sequel.[15]
In Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon live together, Tim Goodman partners with a talking Detective Pikachu to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of his father Harry, who was presumed dead in a car crash.
Pikachu shorts
Pikachu shorts are a series of twenty-seven animated short films shown at the start of animated theatrical films based on Pokémon, and have also been shown on ANA flights in Japan and released during Christmas as Pikachu's Winter Vacation.
#
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
When Ash Ketchum and his friends discover a Pokémon-only vacation resort, they decide to let their Pokémon have a day of fun while they 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 Ash, Misty, and Brock's Pokémon cause havoc on Christmas Eve.
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, their trainers' Pokémon, and Pokémon from other regions help Meloetta retrieve a tree's special berries.[further explanation needed]
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)
These television specials, which run longer than the normal half-hour and are usually not 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 do not air in theaters, but are instead broadcast on the same networks that the anime is broadcast on for their premieres. Though they may air around the same time as episodes of the anime, usually in the anime's normal timeslot, they are not assigned episode numbers.
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
Giovanni located Mewtwo, who has been hiding out in the Johto region since he was last seen, and seeks to recapture him to use for his own purposes.
Pokémon: 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, at a Pokémon Center, and they team up with Vincent to foil a plot by Hun and Attila to steal 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 to investigate Dr. Yung's new Mirage Pokémon system. When the mysterious Mirage Master appears with a Mirage Mewtwo, Ash is forced to fight him to stop his plans of world domination using the Mirage Pokémon.
Home media
Region 2 (Japan)
Name
Rental Date
Sale Date
Discs
Gekijōban Pikachu no Natsuyasumi / Mewtwo no Gyakushū
June 23, 2000
1
Gekijōban Pikachu Tankentai / Maboroshi no Pokémon Lugia Bakutan
November 22, 2000
1
Gekijōban Pichu to Pikachu / Kesshōtō no Teiō
July 7, 2001
1
Gekijōban Pikachu no Dokidoki Kakurenbo
November 23, 2001
December 7, 2001
1
Gekijōban Celebi Toki o Koeta Deai
January 25, 2002
February 8, 2002
1
Gekijōban Pikapika Hoshizora Camp
November 22, 2002
1
Gekijōban Mizu no Miyako no Mamorigami Latias to Latios
December 20, 2002
1
PIKACHU THE MOVIE BOX 1998-2002
–
September 21, 2007
6
Gekijōban Odoru Pokémon Himitsu Kichi
November 28, 2003
1
Gekijōban Nanayo no Negaiboshi Jirachi
December 19, 2003
1
Advanced Generation Rekkū no Hōmonsha Deoxys
December 21, 2004
1
Advanced Generation Mew to Hadō no Yūsha Lucario
December 22, 2005
1
Advanced Generation Pokémon Ranger to Umi no Ōji Manaphy
December 22, 2006
1
PIKACHU THE MOVIE BOX 2003-2006
–
September 21, 2007
6
Diamond & Pearl Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai
December 21, 2007
1
Diamond & Pearl Giratina to Sora no Hanataba Shaymin
