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The Pokémon franchise stands as one of the most significant in contemporary pop culture, encompassing video games, a long-running animated series, and a classic trading card game. It has been an integral part of the upbringing of many fans across multiple generations, solidifying its status as an iconic cultural phenomenon.
For countless individuals, Pokémon formed the backdrop of their entire childhood, inviting them into a world where ordinary people joined forces with enigmatic creatures, each possessing their own extraordinary abilities. It’s an experience that most of us have fantasized about at least once – the idea of Pokémon actually existing in our reality. Alongside the globally broadcast animated series, there is a collection of Pokémon films that provide an additional dimension to this captivating universe.
Navigating through over a thousand episodes of the animated series to find where the movies fit in can be quite perplexing. Therefore, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide for those interested in watching all 23 movies in chronological order.
It’s astonishing to think that “Pokémon: The First Movie” marked the inception of a cinematic universe akin to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) for Pokémon, giving rise to a legacy of films spanning two decades. The most recent addition to this collection was released in 2020 in Japan, followed by a 2021 release in North America and other continents.
It’s worth noting that although the live-action film “Detective Pikachu” was released in 2019, it operates independently from the rest of the Pokémon universe and is considered a standalone or spin-off movie, which is why it’s not included in this viewing guide.
How to watch all ‘Pokémon’ movies in order?
The chronological order for watching the series of Pokémon movies is as follows:
1. Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (Watch after Ep. 67, ‘The Pi-Kahuna’ – Indigo League)
2. Pokémon: The Movie 2000 (Watch after Ep. 105, ‘Charizard Chills’ – Orange Islands)
3. Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unknown (Watch after Ep. 155, ‘The Forest Grumps’ – Johto Journeys)
4. Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest (Watch after Ep. 205, ‘The Kecleon Kaper’ – Johto League Champions)
5. Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias (Watch after Ep. 255, ‘Just Add Water’ – Master Quest)
6. Jirachi – Wish Maker (Watch after Ep. 308, ‘Win, Lose, or Draw’ – Advanced)
7. Destiny Deoxys (Watch after Ep. 358, ‘Sky High Gym Battle’ – Advanced Challenge)
8. Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (Watch after Ep. 406, ‘A Real Cleffa Hanger’ – Advanced Battle)
9. Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (Watch after Ep. 455, ‘Aipom and Circumstance’ – Battle Frontier)
10. The Rise of Darkrai (Watch after Ep. 503, ‘Steamboat Willies’ – Diamond and Pearl)
11. Giratina & the Sky Warrior (Watch after Ep. 549, ‘Arriving in Style’ – Battle Dimension)
12. Arceus and the Jewel of Life (Watch after Ep. 597, ‘Beating the Bustle and Hustle’ – Galactic Battles)
13. Zoroark – Master of Illusions (Watch after Ep. 640, ‘For the Love of Meowth’ – Sinnoh League Victors)
14. Black – Victini and Reshiram / White – Victini and Zekrom (Watch after Ep. 690, ‘A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition’ – Black & White)
15. Kyurem Vs. the Sword of Justice (Watch after Ep. 750, ‘Unova’s Survival Crisis’ – Rival Destinies)
16. Genesect and the Legend Awakened (Watch after Ep. 786, ‘Capacia Island UFO’ – Adventures in Unova and Beyond)
17. Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (Watch after Ep. 832, ‘Forging Forest Friendships!’ – XY)
18. Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (Watch after Ep. 875, ‘Rotom’s Wish!’ – Kalos Quest)
19. Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (Watch after Ep. 917, ‘A Real Icebreaker!’ – XYZ)
20. Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution (Can be watched as a stand-in for the original or a standalone remake)
21. I Choose You!, The Power of Us, and Secrets of the Jungle (These movies exist in an alternate continuum, so you may watch them at any time.)
Regarding the future of the Pokémon Cinematic Universe (PCU), there have been discussions about a potential Detective Pikachu 2, which could be an exciting prospect for fans to look forward to. Additionally, it has been confirmed that “Pokémon: Concierge,” a stop-motion animated series, is set to premiere on Netflix in December 2023.
While this offers a glimpse into the latest developments in the Pokémon world, it’s certain that the franchise will continue to evolve, ensuring that fans won’t have to wait too long for new adventures.