Pokémon is by far the highest-grossing anime franchise in the world, racking in a total revenue close to a hundred billion dollars. Did you know the main protagonist, Ash Ketchum in the English version, is actually named Satoshi in the Japanese original? If you’re a true Pokémon fan and want to watch the Pokémon movies in order, this list is for you.
In Chronological Order
As of 2020, there have been a total of 23 Pokémon movies that are part of the anime storyline following Ash Ketchum, or Satoshi, as he tries to become the strongest Pokémon trainer in the world.
The chronological order is the same as the release order because Pokémon movies are generally made to introduce the legendary Pokémon of that season or generation. And there are a total of 8 generations of Pokémon now. The only exception is the 2017 movie that is a prequel to the first generation of Pokémon.
#1. Pokémon The Movie: I Choose You!
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Year Released: 2017
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: none
Generation: 1
#2. Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewto Strikes Back
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Year Released: 1998
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Mewto Mew
Generation: 1
#3. Pokémon: The Movie – The Power Of One
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Year Released: 1999
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Lugia
Generation: 2
#4. Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell Of The Unknown
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Year Released: 2000
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Unknown, Entei
Generation: 2
#5. Pokémon 4ever: Celebi – Voice Of The Forest
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Year Released: 2001
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Suicune and Celebi
Generation: 2
#6. Pokémon Heroes: Latios And Latias
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Year Released: 2002
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Latios and Latias
Generation: 3
#7. Pokémon: Jirachi – Wishmaker
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Year Released: 2003
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Groudon and Jirachi
Generation: 3
#8. Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys
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Year Released: 2004
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Rayquaza and Deoxys
Generation: 3
#9. Pokémon: Lucario And The Mystery Of Mew
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Year Released: 2005
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Mew, Regirock, Regice, Registeel, and Lucario
Generation: 4
#10. Pokémon Ranger And The Temple Of The Sea
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Year Released: 2006
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Kyogre and Manaphy
Generation: 4
#11. Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai
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Year Released: 2007
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Dialga, Palkia, and Darkrai
Generation: 4
#12. Pokémon: Giratina and The Sky Warrior
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Year Released: 2008
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Regigigas, Giratina, Shaymin, and Dialga
Generation: 4
#13. Pokémon: Arceus and The Jewel Of Life
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Year Released: 2009
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Heatran, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, and Arceus
Generation: 4
#14. Pokémon: Zoroark – Master of Illusions
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Year Released: 2010
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Zorua and Zoroark
Generation: 5
#15. Pokémon The Movie: White – Victini and Zekrom
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Year Released: 2011
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Victini, Reshiram, and Zekrom
Generation: 5
#16. Pokémon The Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram
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Year Released: 2011
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Victini, Reshiram, and Zekrom
Generation: 5
#17. Pokémon The Movie: Kyurem Vs. The Sword of Justice
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Year Released: 2012
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Kyurem, Keldeo, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizon
Generation: 5
#18. Pokémon The Movie: Genesect and The Legend Awakened
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Year Released: 2013
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Genesect
Generation: 5
#19. Pokémon XY The Movie: The Cocoon of Destruction And Diancie
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Year Released: 2014
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Diancie, Xerneas, and Yveltal
Generation: 6
#20. Pokémon The Movie: Hoopa and The Clash of The Ages
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Year Released: 2015
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Hoopa
Generation: 6
#21. Pokémon The Movie: Volcanion and The Mechanical Marvel
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Year Released: 2016
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Volcanion
Generation: 6
#22. Pokémon The Movie: The Power of Us
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Year Released: 2018
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Zeraora
Generation: 7
#23. Pokémon The Movie: Secrets of The Jungle
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Year Released: 2021
Legendary Pokémons Introduced: Zarude
Generation: 8
In Release Order
#1. Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998)
#2. Pokémon: The Movie 2000 – The Power Of One (1999)
#3. Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell Of The Unknown (2000)
#4. Pokémon 4ever: Celebi – Voice Of The Forest (2001)
#5. Pokémon Heroes: Latios And Latias (2002)
#6. Pokémon: Jirachi – Wishmaker (2003)
#7. Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (2004)
#8. Pokémon: Lucario And The Mystery Of Mew (2005)
#9. Pokémon Ranger And The Temple Of The Sea (2006)
#10. Pokémon: The Rise Of Darkrai (2007)
#11. Pokémon: Giratina And The Sky Warrior (2008)
#12. Pokémon: Arceus And The Jewel Of Life (2009)
#13. Pokémon: Zoroark – Master Of Illusions (2010)
#14. Pokémon The Movie: White – Victini And Zekrom (2011)
#15. Pokémon The Movie: Black – Victini And Reshiram (2011)
#16. Pokémon The Movie: Kyurem Vs. The Sword Of Justice (2012)
#17. Pokémon The Movie: Genesect And The Legend Awakened (2013)
#18. Pokémon XY The Movie: The Cocoon Of Destruction And Diancie (2014)
#19. Pokémon The Movie: Hoopa And The Clash Of The Ages (2015)
#20. Pokémon The Movie: Volcanion And The Mechanical Marvel (2016)
#21. Pokémon The Movie: I Choose You (2017)
#22. Pokémon The Movie: The Power Of Us (2018)
#23. Pokémon The Movie: Secrets Of The Jungle (2021)
Best Order to Watch Pokémon Movies
Given that the airing date and chronology are the same, there’s really only one order. You can watch Pokémon movies in order of the airing date to follow it chronologically.
The only exception is the 2017 Pokémon film, “I choose you,” which is a remastered prequel of the moment Ash received his first Pokémon from Professor Oak. He then set out from Pallet town on a journey to collect gym badges and participate in the Pokémon League. This movie covers episodes 1-5 of the very first season of Pokémon in 1998.
A Few Parting Words
The entire Pokémon franchise, including the games, the movies, and the anime, has been a major part of many people’s childhood, especially if you grew up around the 2000s. It tells the story of Ash’s never-ending journey of collecting Pokémons, training them, and challenging the best trainers of every region to grow stronger. It’s best to watch the Pokémon movies in order of the airing date, alongside the anime for context.
