What’s a great franchise without its own movies to go with it (sometimes better, sometimes worse)? Not long after Pokemon made its gaming debut, the first Pokemon movies came out and fans were in awe. Some tugged at our heartstrings and became all-time classics, whereas others didn’t have as big of an impact on its viewers.
From the late 90’s to 2019, here are the greatest Pokemon films that left their mark on the hearts of fans everywhere.
10. Pokemon: Heroes
Pokemon Heroes DVD & VHS Trailer
The legendary Latios and Latias have remained a legend for the longest time until a secret garden holding a mysterious stone is discovered by Ash and Pikachu. Dark forces seek out the stone—the Soul Dew—and capture Latios and Latias in the process. It’s up to Ash and his friends to save the Eon Pokemon and restore peace to the aquatic city the legend calls home.
Rating: 6/10
Join Ash, Pikachu and the gang as they band together with the legendary Latios and Latias to protect the Soul Dew from falling into evil hands!
9. Kyurem Vs. The Sword of Justice
Kyurem Vs. The Sword of Justice—Official DVD Trailer
Disobeying its legendary friends, Keldeo seeks out the powerful Kyurem to prove its might but struggles to summon the sword from the horn on its head. Ash and the gang meet Keldeo in the middle of the conflict and help Keldeo find the power inside himself to challenge the ever-changing Black-Kyurem and White Kyurem if he wants to rescue his friends and understand the power of the sword he is meant to wield.
Rating: 6.5/10
The legendary Pokemon Keldeo takes on a challenge greater than he anticipated, and it’s up to Ash and friends to help him unlock the power to defeat the legendary Kyurem once and for all!
8. Pokemon: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
Hoopa and the Clash of Ages Trailer
A desert city once saved from unbound Hoopa’s destruction by a heavenly force once again stands threatened when the relic that sealed away Hoopa’s power awakens. Ash, Pikachu, and friends must help Hoopa gain control over its alternate self and a battle between legendary Pokemon on both sides ensues.
Rating: 6.5/10
Ash and friends must face Hoopa’s unbound power and the legendary Pokemon summoned to its side when an ancient relic causes Hoopa to unleash chaos on the desert city it once nearly destroyed!
7. Pokemon: 2000
Pokemon: The Movie 2000—Original Theatrical Trailer
When an evil Pokemon collector captures the legendary Pokemon Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, Ash, and Pikachu alone race to free them. The collector’s ultimate motive is to lure the Beast of the Sea, Lugia, the surface and capture it as well, but the power of one heart is mightier when joined with Lugia in a battle that crashes tides.
Rating: 7.5/10
The power of one can become the power of many when a legendary test needs a hero and his friends to take it on!
6. Pokemon the Movie: 3
Pokemon 3: The Movie Trailer
A girl named Molly is distraught when her father suddenly disappears but believes he has returned when the legendary Pokemon Entei appears to protect her. On his journey to becoming a Pokemon master, Ash and friends stumble across a bizarre castle guarded by Entei and eventually infested by the mysterious Unown. Feeling threatened, she orders Entei to help her create a series of obstacles to keep Ash and his friends from reaching the heart of the castle.
Rating: 8/10
Legendary Pokemon Entei and Ash Ketchum must stop the mysterious Unown from distorting the home he created and protect a child whose father is missing.
5. Pokemon: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (8/10)
Pokemon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel Trailer
In a kingdom built on steam and gears, Ash and friends cross paths with Volcanion, a Pokemon bearing a strong distrust for humans and is searching for an old friend. When the life-giving Soul Heart is in danger of being used for evil deeds, Magearna, ancient manmade Pokemon struggles under the protection of Ash and his friends. Will Volcanion’s trust get in the way of accepting help from people, or will the bonds of friendship between people and Pokémon be stronger?
Rating: 8/10
The Soul Heart of a manmade Pokemon created 500 years ago is endangered when a power-hungry Minister seeks it using dark forces of his own design.
4. Pokemon: The Power of Us
Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us—Full Trailer
When a string of events brings Ash and five residents of Fula City together during the Wind Festival—a celebration of the legendary Pokemon, Lugia—a legend lost to history repeats itself. Fula City becomes the center of an unraveling threat and the unlikely friends must find a common ground among the chaos in order to earn the trust of a Pokemon with the power to save them all.
Rating: 8.5/10
Five individuals, each with a past that shaped who they are, meet Ash Ketchum and Pikachu during Fula City’s Wind Festival during a time when a murky legend reawakens and a daunting threat collide.
3. Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You!
Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! Full Theatrical Trailer
On his tenth birthday, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town sets out on a journey with his first Pokemon, Pikachu, to become a Pokemon master. While traveling through many familiar regions and making memories with people and Pokémon alike, a mysterious character lurks in the shadows watching his every move. Discovering the truth about a glistening, rainbow feather that fell into his hands may be more than he bargained for.
Rating: 9.5/10
The legendary bird Ho-Oh leaves behind a mystical feather and Ash and Pikachu’s bond and destiny may never be the same in Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You!
2. Pokemon: Detective Pikachu
Pokemon Detective Pikachu Official Trailer 2
When detective Harry Goodman goes missing on an important mission his son, Tim is left to pick up the pieces in Ryme City—a place where Pokemon and people live symbiotically and battles are a thing of the past. A talking Pikachu who self-claims as a detective teams up with Tim Goodman as they work together to uncover the truth about his father while falling into an even greater mystery that threatens their relationship and the city they call home.
Rating: 9.5/10
The tag team of Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu and Justice Smith as Tim Goodman lend their voices to an unforgettable experience for viewers both new and familiar with the world of Pokemon!
1. Pokemon: The First Movie
Pokemon: The First Movie—Trailer #1
Born in a science lab with the DNA of the mythical Pokemon, Mew, Mewtwo seeks vengeance against his creators using overwhelming psychic powers. Among other trainers, Ash and friends are invited to an island arena by an unknown host claiming to be the strongest trainer in the world. Instead, they are forced to battle Mewtwo and his army of super-Pokemon cloned from the trainers’ own teams and the relationship between people and Pokemon is put to the test.
Rating: 10/10
Witness the original epic showdown of Mew vs. Mewtwo in the film that started it all!
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