As there are many movies in the Pokémon franchise, a list featuring all Pokémon movies in order is much needed, which is why I created this list. This list is not only for your reference but also for my reference for when I want to rewatch every Pokémon film in proper order!
Pokémon as a series initially started as a game for the Gameboy with the original Red and Blue versions that have since evolved and branched out to various fields allowing it to become the multimedia behemoth it is today. The video games, card games, and anime give everyone a unique take on Pokémon, allowing it to breathe fresh air into the franchise.
Aside from the mainline anime series, the Pokémon franchise has also released several Pokémon movies that not only elevate the immersion and world-building the anime brings but also bring into the spotlight certain Pokémon where they can showcase their true strength and power.
Join me in this article as we explore the list of Pokemon movies in order released thus far into the franchise’s lifetime and learn more about them. Whether you are curious about their chronological order or looking for a list to help start binge-watching the films, you can rest assured that you can find those right here!
All Pokémon Movies in Order (2023 Edition)
1. Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998)
The first-ever movie entry for Pokémon features the mythical Pokémon Mew and its legendary clone counterpart, Mewtwo. The latter serves as the film’s main villain as he plans to dominate the world through powerful clones created by different Pokémon.
The movie follows the origins of Mewtwo, how he was created and subsequently escaped the laboratory that made him. Mewtwo then invited trainers for the ultimate test of strength in competition, with Ash and his friends also getting invited. Throughout the film, Ash can see just how powerful Mewtwo is and witnesses the legendary battle between it and its counterpart, Mew, at its climax.
2. Pokémon The Movie 2000: The Power of One (2000)
The next entry in this list of Pokémon movies follows Ash and his encounter with the mysterious collector, Lawrence III, who is obsessed with rare Pokémon and artifacts. The film follows the prophecy that foretells the world’s destruction.
The film has Ash take a detour from his journey to the Orange Islands, where he gets picked as the Chosen One. The prophecy gives insight into the movie with its first line: “Disturb not the harmony of Fire, Ice or Lightning, lest these titans wreak havoc upon the world in which they clash.” It is later revealed that Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos are these titans and are being hunted down by Lawrence III to add to his collection.
The movie also features new Pokémon like the legendary Pokémon Lugia as well as Slowking!
3. Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown (2001)
The third movie in the Pokemon movie order departs from just featuring legendary Pokémon as it mainly focuses on the mystery surrounding the Unown, a unique species of Pokémon. The film follows Molly, who has been left alone ever since her father disappeared while on an expedition to uncover the mystery of the Unowns.
By a twist, Molly uses the Unown through tiles sent by her father to fight off her loneliness and wish for her parents to return. Entei serves as Molly’s father and support and is the reason why Ash gets wrapped up in the situation as he kidnaps his mom, Delia Ketchum, to serve as Molly’s mother. The film explores the exploits of Molly and how she tries to live out her dreams and fantasy while Ash and his friends try to fix things.
4. Pokémon 4Ever – Celebi: The Voice of the Forest (2002)
Pokémon 4Ever follows the story of a young Pokémon trainer, Sam, from 40 years before the original series. The story starts with Sam meeting Celebi in a forest and suddenly finds himself transported to the present time as a result of saving Celebi from a poacher chasing after it.
Ash and Sam (now called Sammy) meet up in the present and have to take care of the same poacher from 40 years ago in the present time. The situation is made all the more difficult with the introduction of the “Dark Ball,” which brainwashes any Pokémon captured by it to complete obedience.
The Iron-Masked Marauder serves as the antagonist of the movie and the present version of the poacher from the past. He remains obsessed with Celebi and has been finding ways to capture it.
5. Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias (2003)
Note: Trailer Unavailable! Will update it when it’s available again.
The story of Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias emphasizes the Eon Pokémon, Latios and Latias, alongside the city of Alto Mare, where the twins served as their protectors. The story follows Ash and his friends with their visit to the city to participate in a race, only to end up protecting the city’s prized artifact, the Soul Dew.
The movie takes us on an adventure with Ash and his relationship with the dragon-type Eon Pokémon, with him bonding with Latias, with the latter holding dear affection for him. Team Rocket agents Annie and Oakley serve as the film’s antagonists as they try to steal the Soul Dew, which places the city of Alto Mare and the Eon Pokémon at risk as it contains both their essences.
6. Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker (2004)
The 6th movie in the Pokémon movies in order list explores the powers and capabilities of the mythical Pokémon, Jirachi, who has the ability to make any wish come true, earning it the title of “Wish Maker.” The story starts with the Millennium Comet making its appearance and the story of wishes coming true during this time.
The story follows Ash and the gang at this exact time during the Millennium Festival and the comet appearing. Unbeknownst to them, the comet also indicates that Jirachi is waking up from its long slumber, where Max was fortunate enough to meet and befriend it. The rest of the film follows the antics of Jirachi and its wish-granting powers, along with Max bonding with it while more sinister plans are forming behind the scenes.
7. Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (2005)
Destiny Deoxys explores the rivalry between the mythical Pokémon from space, Deoxys, and the legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza. The movie explores their bitter rivalry and how it came to be, with a meteor containing Deoxys crashing into Earth and then battling Rayquaza soon after.
Rayquaza emerged victorious after the encounter, and remnants of Deoxys were taken to Larousse City, where it was studied and analyzed. The city serves as the film’s primary setting as Ash and his friends explore it and enter the Battle Tower, where they meet Tory.
The film follows the return of Deoxys and its attempts to overtake the city, which prompts Rayquaza to make an appearance causing the entire city to get caught in a battle between the two and Ash and friends trying to solve the reason behind Deoxys’ reappearance.
8. Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2006)
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew have Ash team up with the titular Aura Pokémon, Lucario. The story starts 100 years into the past when the people at the time were saved through the sacrifice of an Aura Knight named Sir Aaron.
At present, Sir Aaron is renowned as a Hero with his sacrifice remembered through an annual festival that Ash and his friends attend to compete in the Pokémon Competition that was held.
Later in the movie, Ash’s Pikachu gets taken to the Tree of Beginnings by Mew, which prompts him to find a way to rescue Pikachu by teaming up with the last of the Aura Guardians, Lucario, who remain distrustful towards Ash and other humans having seemingly been betrayed by the same Sir Aaron.
9. Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2007)
The ninth Pokémon movie gives us a glimpse of the Sinnoh region through the water-type mythical Pokémon, Manayphy, and its ancient ties to an old sea temple that houses the legendary “Sea Crown.” Manaphy first appears as an egg rescued by a Pokémon Ranger named Jackie from pirates looking to nab the treasure for themselves.
Ash, May, and their friends are entrusted with the egg and tasked with the duty of keeping it safe and bringing it to his home. The egg hatches into the Price of the Sea, Manaphy, where it forms a special bond with May, having imprinted on her as its mother.
The film has us go through the adventure of May, Ash, and Jackie’s attempts to evade the pirates and keep Manaphy safe until it can get back home while trying to bring it home to the Sea Temple, Samiya.
10. Pokémon the Movie: The Rise of Darkrai (2008)
The tenth movie in the list of Pokémon movies, The Rise of Darkrai, makes the dark-type mythical Pokémon its main feature as getting a deeper look into this menacing Pokémon. The film takes place in the town of Alamos, where the Space-Time Towers reside and serve as shrines dedicated to the Temporal and Space legendary Pokémon, Dialga and Palkia.
A Darkrai is also said to reside in the town and is often blamed for many of the problems around the town. This is made all worse when Dialga and Palkia suddenly appear to battle one another. The movie explores the fight between the two legendary Pokémon threatening the town and the world and also explores the mysterious role of Darkrai in all of this chaos.
11. Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2009)
The next entry puts the legendary Renegade Pokémon, Giratina, and the Gratitude mythical Pokémon, Shaymin, into the spotlight. The film explores Giratina’s attempts to solve the problem of poisonous clouds appearing in its home, the Reverse World.
It is later found that Dialga and Palkia were the reason behind these clouds, which set Giratina on a path for revenge. Shaymin gets caught between this, having been mistaken by Giratina but narrowly escapes leading it to meet Ash and friends, which starts the story off.
The movie takes us on a legendary adventure of Giratina’s rampage and a researcher’s attempt to make Giratina’s power his own. The balance of the world of Pokémon is also threatened due to this, along with the significant role Shaymin plays in fixing these problems.
12. Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009)
Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life served as the culmination of the past two films with the feature and appearance of the Alpha mythical Pokémon, Arceus. The film has Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia playing significant roles as they attempt to fend off a rampaging Arceus.
The film takes place in Michina Town, where the sudden appearance of Arecus sets off a chain of events that places not only the town in danger but the entire world of Pokémon. It is later revealed to Ash and friends that Arecus was betrayed in the past due to the Jewel of Life getting lost, which contained a large portion of Arceus’ life force.
In the last attempt, Dialga uses its power to send Ash and everyone into the past to find the reason behind the betrayal and try to fix it before the present world falls into complete ruin.
13. Pokémon: Zoroark – Master of Illusions (2011)
The next Pokémon film features the new Pokémon Zoroark and its pre-evolution Zorua in an adventure that is just as chaotic and thrilling as the previous ones. The film starts us off with glimpses of new Pokémon from the Unova region as they visit Crown City, where the “Pokémon Bracer World Cup” is being held.
Later in the movie, Ash meets and befriends a mischievous Zorua that enjoys pranking him and his friends, much to their dismay. The story takes a different turn when the trio of legendary Pokémon, Suicune, Entei, and Raikou, are found attacking the city with Zoroark at the center of all of it.
14. Pokémon the Movie: White – Victini and Zekrom & Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram (2011)
The 14th movie in the Pokémon franchise serves as a unique outlier in the list of Pokémon films as they come in 2 versions that greatly mirror the way the games are released. The movies feature one of the two legendary Pokémon, Zekrom and Reshiram, with both films following the same plot line with a few aversions.
The film has Ash and his friends arriving at Eindoak Town and participating in the annual competition, where Ash comes out on top after getting surprising help from Victini. The film explores Ash’s friendship with the Victory Pokémon and its connection with the kingdom that once stood where the town was.
The antagonist, Damon, however, has other plans in store as he plans on harnessing Victini’s powers for his schemes. The White film shows Ash’s willpower in convincing Zekrom to help, while the Black film has him use the truth to persuade Reshiram to deal with this looming threat.
15. Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice (2012)
Kyurem vs. The Swords of Justice, the fifteenth film in the list of Pokémon movies, explores the growth and development of the mythical colt Pokémon, Keldeo, in his journey to becoming one of the Sacred Swordsmen similar to his peers with Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion forming the Swords of Justice.
The story starts with Ash finding Keldeo injured in a forest and nursing him back to health. It is later revealed that Keldeo received his injuries from his duel against Kyurem and is set on the path to rescue the Swords of Justice, who were imprisoned as a result of this duel.
The film explores the struggles of Keldeo and the gang’s attempt to help him rescue his family against a rampaging Kyurem that can draw on the power of Reshiram and Zekrom, only becoming stronger.
16. Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and The Legend Awakened (2013)
In the 16th film, we are greeted with the appearance of both a new and familiar Pokémon with the mythical bug-type Pokémon, Genesect, and the legendary psychic-type Pokémon, Mewtwo. The film follows an army of Genesects led by a shiny Red Genesect trying to find a place they can call home.
As a result of their desperate mission, the Genesect army is seen rampaging in New Tork City, which Ash and his friends happen to be visiting for their renowned park, Pokémon Hills. Mewtwo makes an appearance in the city and does whatever it takes to stop its rampaging with its newfound power of Mega Evolution.
17. Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (2014)
This film takes place in Kalos and starts with the Diamond Domain, home to many Carbinks, their princess Diancie and the Heart Diamond, which is the source of life for everything within the domain.
The story follows Ash meeting with fairy-type Diancie and helping her find the legendary Pokémon Xerneas as she cannot create a new Heart Diamond as the current one begins showing signs of aging. Along the way, they find a cocoon containing Yveltal, which is showing signs of awakening, threatening the world with destruction.
18. Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (2015)
Hoopa and the Clash of Ages follow the mythical Pokémon Hoopa and its power of teleportation with its rings. The story shows how Hoopa initially brought destruction to Dahara City until it was weakened and bound through the Prison Bottle.
Hoopa has lived a peaceful life in the modern city in his confined form as he enjoys playing pranks on everyone through his rings, allowing him to meet and befriend Ash. However, Hoopa’s sealed power remains and continues to grow angrier as a result of getting sealed, which causes it to break free and battle the current Hoopa in an all-out Legendary vs. Legendary fight.
19. Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (2016)
The film focuses on the mythical Pokémon, Volcanion, who is on his way to rescue Megearna from a corrupt minister that plans on using the Pokémon to conquer the Azoth Kingdom. Ash gets wrapped up in all this commotion due to getting bound to Volcanion through a mysterious force that forces him to tag along, much to the Pokémon’s dismay.
We explore the Pokémon’s backstories, such as how Volcanion developed his aversion to humans, the mechanical origins of Megearna and its creation, and finally, the two meeting with one another. The movie treats us to Volcanion working through his distrust and facing his most brutal battles yet.
20. Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)
The I Choose You! movie takes a spin on the classic Pokémon series by changing the original episodes where Ash and Pikachu first encountered Ho-Oh at the start of their journey. The film follows Ash on his new journey to find the legendary Bird Pokémon with his Pikachu.
The movie follows a different path from the classic series while still paying key detail to it with major events such as Ash setting Butterfree free and catching an abandoned Charmander. Marshadow serves as Ash’s guide in the film, where he gets to square off against Charmander’s former trainer as he gets closer to Ho-Oh’s whereabouts.
21. Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us (2018)
The Power of Us is the 21st film in the list of Pokémon movies in order, and it spins together the tale of 5 different people who are entirely different and unrelated from one another. A young athlete, a compulsive liar, a shy researcher, a bitter old woman, and a girl with secrets share nothing in common save for one thing, which is the Wind Festival in Fula City.
The film goes through each character’s different points of view and how they tie in with one another. Everything is slowly pieced together towards the end as each character joins with Ash to face the threat that endangers them.
22. Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution (2020)
Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution is a modern remake of the original film with an even more expansive storyline and ending. As with the original, Mewtwo serves as the featured Pokémon of the film, where he struggles to find his place in the world and the meaning of his life.
The movie starts similarly with Mewtwo inviting powerful trainers to New Island for the climactic battle between Mewtwo and Mew. The film features a clearer ending for everyone, especially Mewtwo, as he is able to find a place to call home somewhere in the Johto region.
23. Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle (2021)
The Secrets of the Jungle film takes place in the same setting as The Power of Us and I Choose You! movies, with Ash having a chance encounter with a young boy named Koko. In the film, it is revealed that Koko was found as a baby by a Pokémon named Zarude, who raised him.
The film explores Koko’s growing stages from when he first met Zarude and believed himself to be just like him. Additionally, Koko also slowly learns about his real identity and his relations to the company that has been threatening the destruction of Zarude’s home within the forests.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of this article, listing down all the Pokémon movies in order of their release date. I am sure that, being a big Pokémon fan, you must have already watched all of them and are now planning to rewatch them again from the beginning. So, I hope I could provide you with a good guide to follow!
Also Read: How Many Pokémon Are There?