The 10 Greatest Pokemon Movies, Ranked Worst to Best

With over two decades of animated adventures, the Pokemon franchise has delivered some truly unforgettable movies. From epic battles to heartwarming friendships, these films have captured the magic of the Pokemon world in ways that keep fans coming back for more. But which ones stand out as the very best? We’ve watched them all and ranked the top 10 Pokemon movies from worst to best, celebrating the stories that made us laugh, cry, and cheer. So grab your Poke Balls and let’s dive in!

10. Pokemon Heroes: Latios and Latias (2002)

Pokemon Heroes: Latios & Latias takes Ash and his friends to the picturesque city of Alto Mare, where legend and danger collide. It is a solid film that features a lot of action and interesting world-building.

Team Rocket operatives Annie and Oakley set their sights on the powerful Soul Dew, an ancient jewel linked to the legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias. Their pursuit leads them to the canal city of Alto Mare, where Ash and his friends are enjoying the annual water chariot race. After a chance encounter with Latias, Ash becomes entangled in a battle to protect the city when Annie and Oakley activate the Defense Mechanism of Alto Mare (DMA), unleashing chaos. As Latios makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Alto Mare, Ash and his friends bid farewell to their mysterious new allies, left wondering whether Latias herself gifted him a final, heartfelt goodbye.

9. Pokemon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest (2001)

Pokemon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest blends time travel, friendship, and the battle between good and evil. When Ash and his friends meet Sam, a boy from the past, they work together to protect Celebi from a sinister villain. This movie features a fun adventure with a surprising connection to the future along the way.

Ash and friends encounter a boy named Sam, who was transported 40 years into the future by Celebi. Together, they protect Celebi from the evil Iron-Masked Marauder, who uses a Dark Ball to corrupt it. With help from Suicune and the forest, they free Celebi, but it seemingly dies—until time-traveling Celebi revive it. Sam returns to his time, later revealed to be Professor Oak.

8. Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)

Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! is the 20th movie in the series, and also celebrates the 20th anniversary of Japan’s first airing of Pokemon. The movie is loosely adapted from the anime’s first season, and it does a great job at retelling iconic moments from the original series.

Ash Ketchum sets out on his Pokemon journey with Pikachu, who initially refuses to obey him. After a fierce battle with Spearow, they bond, vowing to meet the Legendary Ho-Oh. Along the way, Ash befriends Verity and Sorrel, rescues a Charmander abandoned by its cruel trainer, Cross, and gains a Rainbow Wing, signaling his destiny to battle Ho-Oh. Facing challenges from Marshadow and Cross, Ash briefly vanishes after sacrificing himself to protect Pikachu. Revived by Ho-Oh’s power, he places uses the Rainbow Wing, calling Ho-Oh for a battle. As his friends part ways, Ash and Pikachu continue their journey, ready for new adventures.

7. Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai (2007)

Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai delivers an intense clash of legendary powers, blending mystery, action, and emotion. When reality begins to unravel in Alamos Town, Darkrai is wrongly accused of causing the chaos. As Ash and his friends uncover the truth, they must act quickly to stop the destruction before it’s too late. This movie features themes about darkness, shows off the Sinnoh legendaries, and pairs it with surprisingly “good” animation.

Ash and his friends arrive in Alamos Town, where strange disturbances in time and space are occurring due to a battle between Dialga and Palkia in an alternate dimension. As the town becomes trapped in another realm, the mysterious Darkrai is blamed for the chaos. However, Ash and his friends soon realize that Darkrai is actually trying to protect the town. With the destruction of Alamos Town imminent, they race against time to play the song Oración, a melody that has the power to calm the warring Legendary Pokemon. With Darkrai’s sacrifice and Palkia’s intervention, the town is restored, and peace returns.

6. Pokemon 3 The Movie: Spell of the Unown: Entei (2000)

Pokemon 3 The Movie: Spell of the Unown: Entei weaves a heartfelt tale of loss, imagination, and the power of reality. When a young girl’s sorrow bring the enigmatic Unown to life, an illusionary world forms around her, blurring the lines between dreams and truth. As Ash and his friends fight to save his mother, they must help Molly find the strength to let go before her fantasy spirals out of control.

In Pokemon 3 The Movie: Spell of the Unown: Entei, young Molly Hale’s father, researcher Spencer Hale, vanishes into another dimension while studying the mysterious Unown. Grieving and lonely, Molly’s wishes bring the Unown to life, who create a crystalline palace around her mansion and summon an illusionary Entei to act as her father. When Entei abducts Ash’s mother, Delia, believing it is fulfilling Molly’s desires, Ash, Misty, and Brock set out to rescue her. Along the way, they battle Molly’s dream-created Pokemon and confront Entei. With the help of Charizard, Ash convinces Molly to accept reality, causing Entei to fade and the Unown’s power to collapse. The crystalline structures disappear, and Spencer Hale is returned, reuniting with his daughter.

5. Pokemon the Movie: Destiny Deoxys (2004)

Pokemon the Movie: Destiny Deoxys delivers an action-packed adventure that blends mystery, sci-fi, and personal growth. When a powerful extraterrestrial Pokemon arrives on Earth, it sets off a chain of events that lead Ash and his friends into the heart of an intense showdown. Amid the chaos, they must help an unlikely ally face his fears and restore balance before it’s too late.

In Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys, a meteor crashes in the Arctic, bringing the mysterious Pokemon Deoxys. Rayquaza sees it as a threat and attacks, forcing Deoxys into the ocean. Four years later, Ash and his friends arrive in LaRousse City, where they meet Tory, a boy traumatized by Pokemon. Meanwhile, Deoxys returns, searching for its missing counterpart, causing city-wide chaos and trapping residents inside. As Rayquaza arrives for a rematch, Ash and Tory work to restore power and reunite the two Deoxys. With the battle resolved, Tory overcomes his fear, and Ash continues his journey.

4. Pokemon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005)

Pokemon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew takes fans on an emotional journey filled with adventure, mystery, and sacrifice. As Ash and his friends celebrate a historic festival, they become entangled in an ancient legend that tests the bonds of friendship and courage.

In Pokemon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, Ash and his friends visit Cameran Palace for a festival honoring Sir Aaron, a legendary Aura Guardian. During a ceremonial battle, Ash unexpectedly bonds with Sir Aaron’s Pokemon, Lucario, who was sealed in a staff centuries ago. Meanwhile, Mew kidnaps Pikachu and Meowth, taking them to the mystical Tree of Beginning. Ash, Lucario, and the group embark on a journey to rescue them, uncovering the truth about Sir Aaron’s sacrifice. As the Tree’s defense system threatens them, Lucario ultimately sacrifices itself to save everyone, proving its loyalty and honor.

3. Detective Pikachu (2019)

Detective Pikachu was an incredible surprise. Like many others, we expected the project to flop. There’s a common belief that animated series-especially Japanese anime—style films and TV shows—don’t translate well to live-action. However, Detective Pikachu shattered expectations, winning over fans and earning an impressive $449 million at the global box office.

Tim Goodman, a young insurance salesman, travels to Ryme City after learning of his estranged father’s apparent death in a car accident. There, he encounters a wisecracking, amnesiac Pikachu who speaks only to him and claims to be his father’s former partner. Together, they uncover a conspiracy involving a mysterious substance called “R,” illegal Pokemon experiments, and the true mastermind behind the city’s corruption. As they unravel the mystery, they discover that Tim’s father is alive—having been fused with Pikachu by the legendary Mewtwo. In the end, Mewtwo restores his father, and Tim decides to stay in Ryme City to rebuild their relationship and pursue a career as a detective.

2. Pokemon: The Movie 2000 (1999)

The second Pokemon movie, Pokemon: The Movie 2000, is a nostalgic masterpiece. From Lawrence’s intense gaze at the Mew promo card to the stunning designs of Lugia, Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno, every moment brings back fond memories.

This film follows Ash and his friends as they get caught in a battle between the legendary birds—Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno—after a greedy collector, Lawrence III, attempts to capture them to summon the powerful Lugia. As the balance of nature is disrupted, Ash is revealed to be the “Chosen One” from an ancient prophecy, tasked with restoring harmony by collecting three elemental orbs from the islands of fire, ice, and lightning. With the help of his Pokemon, friends, and even Team Rocket, Ash retrieves the orbs, allowing Melody to play the legendary song that calms the chaos. Lugia defeats the rogue legendary birds, and nature is restored. In the end, Lawrence is left to reconsider his actions, while Ash and his friends continue their journey.

1. Pokemon: The First Movie (1998)

The very first Pokemon movie, Pokemon: The First Movie, tops our list of the 10 greatest Pokemon films. Mewtwo stands out as a compelling antagonist, delivering thought-provoking dialogue that adds surprising depth to a film aimed at kids. This film has great action, emotional sacrifices, story depth, and a nostalgic grasp on an entire generation.

Dr. Fuji, funded by Team Rocket’s Giovanni, creates Mewtwo from a fossil of Mew. Upon awakening, Mewtwo destroys the lab and later escapes Giovanni’s control, vowing revenge on humanity. It invites top Pokemon Trainers, including Ash, to New Island for a battle, where it reveals its plan to replace all Pokemon with clones. Team Rocket uncovers the cloning process, and Mew arrives to challenge Mewtwo. As Pokemon and their clones fight, Ash sacrifices himself to stop the battle but is revived by the Pokemon’s tears. Mewtwo realizes the value of all life, erases everyone’s memories, and leaves to find a new home.

Let us know what your favorite Pokemon movie is in the comments below.