GameTimeline

Watch order

Pokémon movies timeline

Every mainline Pokémon theatrical film in US release order—from Mewtwo Strikes Back through Secrets of the Jungle—with notes on where each fits beside the TV anime. One row per movie; Pikachu shorts and Detective Pikachu are covered in the FAQ, not in the movie list.

Updated July 2026

Release order

When each Pokémon theatrical film reached US audiences—limited cinema, TV, or streaming premieres. Dates follow US availability, not Japan-only debuts.

  • Simple binge → follow the release-order list from 1999 through 2021
  • Anime-first → watch each film after the matching region arc on the anime timeline
  • Games-first → films are optional; no movie is required to play the RPGs
  • Detective Pikachu and Pikachu shorts → FAQ only
Story order tips

Most films are side adventures during the matching TV era—not one continuous movie saga. Story order matches release order here; pair each film with the nearby anime arc if you want context.

  • Most films → standalone episodes during Ash's journey—not strict sequels to each other
  • I Choose You! and Power of Us → alternate-timeline retellings, not main anime canon
  • Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution → CGI remake of the first film, not a new story
  • Secrets of the Jungle → set in a remote jungle; watch anytime after you know Pikachu and Ash

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Pokémon: The First Movie — Mewtwo Strikes Back

    Pokémon: The First Movie — Mewtwo Strikes Back

    TheatricalHome videoKanto eraLegendary

    Mewtwo's origin and clone crisis—launched Pokémon films in the US.

    Overview
    First Pokémon feature—companion to the Indigo League TV era.
    In-game setting
    Mewtwo links to Red/Blue/Yellow lore; film plot is anime-specific.
    Should you play it?
    Watch near Indigo League on the anime timeline.
    Release date
    US theatrical / home video November 10, 1999.
  2. Pokémon: The Movie 2000 — The Power of One

    Pokémon: The Movie 2000 — The Power of One

    TheatricalHome videoKanto eraLegendary

    Lugia and the three birds—Orange Islands / early Johto TV window.

    In-game setting
    Legendary birds echo Kanto games; story is film-only.
    Should you play it?
    Optional after the first film or early Johto arcs.
    Release date
    US premiere July 21, 2000.
  3. Pokémon 3: The Movie — Spell of the Unown

    Pokémon 3: The Movie — Spell of the Unown

    TheatricalHome videoJohto era

    Entei and an Unown-powered illusion—Johto journey side story.

    In-game setting
    Unown and Entei appear in Gold/Silver/Crystal; film is separate plot.
    Should you play it?
    Pairs with Johto TV arcs.
    Release date
    US premiere April 6, 2001.
  4. Pokémon 4Ever — Celebi: Voice of the Forest

    Pokémon 4Ever — Celebi: Voice of the Forest

    TheatricalHome videoJohto era

    Time travel and Celebi in a forest shrine—late Johto window.

    Should you play it?
    Standalone; watch during or after Johto.
    Release date
    US premiere October 11, 2002.
  5. Pokémon Heroes — Latios & Latias

    Pokémon Heroes — Latios & Latias

    TheatricalHome videoHoenn era

    Set in Alto Mare—bridges Johto end and Advanced Generation.

    Should you play it?
    Watch around the start of Hoenn on TV.
    Release date
    US premiere May 16, 2003.
  6. Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker

    Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker

    TheatricalHome videoHoenn era

    Jirachi awakens for a festival arc—Advanced Generation era.

    Should you play it?
    Hoenn TV companion pick.
    Release date
    US premiere June 1, 2004.
  7. Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys

    Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys

    TheatricalHome videoHoenn era

    Deoxys arrives in LaRousse City—Hoenn-era side adventure.

    Should you play it?
    Watch during Advanced / Hoenn.
    Release date
    US premiere January 22, 2005.
  8. Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew

    Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew

    TheatricalHome videoHoenn eraBattle Frontier

    Lucario, Mew, and the Tree of Beginning—late Hoenn / Frontier window.

    Should you play it?
    Fan-favorite standalone film.
    Release date
    US premiere February 13, 2006.
  9. Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea

    Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea

    TheatricalHome videoSinnoh era

    Manaphy and a sea temple—ties to Pokémon Ranger spin-off tone.

    In-game setting
    Ranger game came out separately—film is its own story.
    Should you play it?
    Watch near Diamond & Pearl TV arc.
    Release date
    US premiere March 23, 2007.
  10. The Rise of Darkrai

    The Rise of Darkrai

    TheatricalTVSinnoh era

    Darkrai, Dialga, and Palkia in Alamos Town.

    Should you play it?
    Sinnoh-era companion.
    Release date
    US TV / home release February 24, 2008.
  11. Giratina and the Sky Warrior

    Giratina and the Sky Warrior

    TheatricalTVSinnoh era

    Giratina and Shaymin—soft sequel tone to Darkrai.

    Should you play it?
    Optional after Rise of Darkrai.
    Release date
    US release February 13, 2009.
  12. Arceus and the Jewel of Life

    Arceus and the Jewel of Life

    TheatricalTVSinnoh era

    Time travel to confront Arceus—Sinnoh myth focus.

    Should you play it?
    Best after Sinnoh TV and prior Sinnoh films.
    Release date
    US release February 12, 2010.
  13. Zoroark: Master of Illusions

    Zoroark: Master of Illusions

    TheatricalTVUnova era

    Zoroark in Crown City—leads into Black & White TV era.

    Should you play it?
    Watch before or during Unova TV.
    Release date
    US release February 5, 2011.
  14. Victini and the Black Hero / White Hero

    Victini and the Black Hero / White Hero

    TheatricalTVUnova era

    Two version films—Black (Reshiram) or White (Zekrom); same core plot.

    In-game setting
    Version mascots differ—pick one film unless you collect both.
    Should you play it?
    One Victini film is enough for the story.
    Release date
    US release December 10, 2012.
  15. Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice

    Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice

    TheatricalTVUnova era

    Keldeo, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, and Kyurem.

    Should you play it?
    Unova-era side story.
    Release date
    US release March 16, 2013.
  16. Genesect and the Legend Awakened

    Genesect and the Legend Awakened

    TheatricalTVUnova era

    Genesect army vs Mewtwo in New Tork City.

    Should you play it?
    Mewtwo returns—optional callback to the first film.
    Release date
    US release February 15, 2014.
  17. Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction

    Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction

    TheatricalLimitedKalos era

    Diancie meets Xerneas and Yveltal—XY TV window.

    Should you play it?
    Watch during XY anime arc.
    Release date
    US limited theatrical / home February 13, 2015.
  18. Hoopa and the Clash of Ages

    Hoopa and the Clash of Ages

    TVHome videoKalos era

    Hoopa Unbound summons Legendary clashes.

    Should you play it?
    Late XY-era spectacle film.
    Release date
    US Cartoon Network premiere December 19, 2015.
  19. Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel

    Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel

    TVHome videoKalos era

    Volcanion and the steam kingdom of Azoth.

    Should you play it?
    Final classic-format Ash film before Sun & Moon shift.
    Release date
    US release December 5, 2016.
  20. Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

    Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

    TheatricalLimitedAlternate tale

    20th-anniversary retelling of Ash meeting Pikachu—not main TV continuity.

    In-game setting
    Kanto nostalgia—parallel universe, not a replacement for the 1998 anime.
    Should you play it?
    Optional nostalgia watch anytime.
    Release date
    US limited release November 5, 2017.
  21. Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us

    Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us

    TheatricalLimitedAlternate tale

    Fula City festival—companion piece to I Choose You! alternate line.

    Should you play it?
    Watch after I Choose You! if you want the pair.
    Release date
    US limited release November 24, 2018.
  22. Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution

    Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution

    NetflixCGI remake

    Full CGI remake of the first movie—same plot, new animation.

    In-game setting
    Not tied to Let's Go or mainline remakes.
    Should you play it?
    Skip if you already saw the 1999 original.
    Release date
    US Netflix premiere February 27, 2020.
  23. Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

    Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

    NetflixStandalone

    Koko raised by Zarude—Ash and Pikachu guest-star; jungle adventure.

    Should you play it?
    Latest mainline animated film on this list as of 2026.
    Release date
    US Netflix premiere October 8, 2021.

FAQ

Release vs TV placement, anime canon, Victini version picks, and live-action Detective Pikachu.

Watch order

Two version edits of one story—Black—Victini and Reshiram spotlights Reshiram; White—Victini and Zekrom spotlights Zekrom. Watch one unless you want both Legendary battles. The timeline lists them as a single row.

Films & anime

See the Pokémon anime watch order for TV story arcs from Indigo League through Horizons. This page lists theatrical films only—one movie per row.

Mostly as side adventures during the matching TV era—not a strict sequel chain. A few late films (I Choose You!, The Power of Us, Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution) are alternate retellings. You can skip every film and follow the anime; watch them after the nearby arc for extra context.

Optional & extras

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.