Top 10 Best Pokemon Movies

The Top Ten
1 Pokémon: The First Movie

For one, before I share my opinion, I'd like to say that I watched this movie at the same time as I watched the others because of age, so any movie I vote on has no nostalgic reasoning for me. There will be spoilers, so if you are like me, one of those people who read these lists before watching stuff, beware. (smiling)

So, here is a summary of the movie. Ash, Misty, and Brock get a message to go to a strange island, but later a dangerous storm holds them and all the other trainers back. Later, they arrive at the island to find an intelligent Pokemon that can talk and has extremely powerful psychic powers. Everyone attempts battling it, but fails. Mewtwo wants revenge on humans because he was completely created as an experiment. He creates clones and makes the real Pokemon fight these clones. Mew, whom Mewtwo was cloned from, battles Mewtwo, but Ash jumps between them and dies. All the Pokemon, including the clones, cry, healing Ash with their tears. Mewtwo is surprised by the bond of Ash and Pikachu, and Mewtwo leaves with his clones to find a purpose.

Okay, that was long. Well, first of all, this movie shows us that Mewtwo is a scary force to be reckoned with. Mewtwo caused the storm. Also, Mewtwo has been said to be the most savage Pokemon. This movie is very emotional. Just to see all the Pokemon and their clones fighting is sad, especially when they are all worn out. It was extremely sad to see the Pikachu and its clone slap each other slowly, both writhing in pain. When Pikachu shocks Ash, trying to wake him up when he is hit, it was very tear-jerking. It is also very cute to see Mew at the beginning of the movie. Mew isn't serious all the time, in fact, he was just trolling around until the fight. That's why I love this movie. Yay, I don't have to talk formally anymore!

2 Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew

This is easily my favorite Pokémon movie. I feel this movie has the best character arc for any character in a Pokémon film. I'm of course referring to Lucario, one of the best characters the franchise has ever seen. His path from disillusioned warrior to ally to finally a true friend and warrior is incredible. The pacing is great, and Ash is at his most interesting in this movie. It's also just really entertaining and fun, so fans should feel a great enjoyment watching the movie.

The only problem is Lucario and Ash are kind of the only really interesting characters in this movie, well, Pikachu and Mew do service the story. At any rate, if you're a fan of the anime, I personally think this is a must-watch. Check it out.

3 Pokémon: The Movie 2000

An amazing plot with amazing music and the best play on words prophecy ever. Just let me type the full prophecy.

"Disturb not the harmony of fire, ice, or lightning, lest these titans wreak destruction upon the world in which they clash. Though the water's great guardian shall arise to quell the fighting, alone its song will fail, thus the earth shall turn to ash. Oh, Chosen One. Into thine hands bring together all three. Their treasure combined, tame the Beast of the Sea."

Isn't that just amazing?

The best movie there is for me. It had a lot of action, and the fact that it kept Lugia underwater for almost half of the movie made it even more special when it finally showed itself. And certainly not least is the amazing score in this movie. All the OST was brilliant and complemented each scene.

4 Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai

It was my first Pokemon movie, so this may just be blinded nostalgia. Of course, it's pokemon, so a couple of things are a bit weird (such as Darkrai just suddenly being alive again), but it's a well-crafted story in my eyes, the movie-exclusive characters are well built in a short time frame, and the action sequences were animated much better than I remember them every viewing.

Come on. No comments? This is a damn good movie. I expected it to be at least in the top 5. Has anyone even watched this movie? It is the best Pokemon movie of all time. If you think you're a true Pokemon fan like me, watch this movie. You'll simply love it.

5 Pokémon 3: The Movie

Honestly, this is the first Pokemon film to actually deal with real-life issues that people struggle with in the real world. Both the first two movies were good, but this is why The Spell of the Unown is the best. Molly, the antagonist, doesn't really want to be the antagonist. All she wants is to have her broken family back. The film deals with feelings such as loss and regret, something that Mewtwo and 2000 lacked. Both Ash and Molly's journeys through the film manage to highlight this, with Ash wanting to save his mother (who has a much better and relevant role in this movie) and Molly just wanting to have a family back. In the end, Molly does see her father again, and Ash reunites with his mother, but the feelings that surface through The Spell of the Unown still matter today, and the movie still brings out the same emotions in me that it did when I was 3. Ultimately, this is truly a masterpiece.

6 Pokémon Heroes

Surprisingly mature for a Pokémon movie, with some real risks and emotion. It may run for just barely an hour, but it's one you won't forget.

And don't even get me started on some of the music. "Search For the Girl" (the song that plays as Ash chases Latias through the streets of Alto Mare) is beautifully simplistic, and just amazingly well-put-together. Even seven years after I first watched the movie, I still can't get that theme out of my head. When I flew to Venice (the city Alto Mare is designed upon, for those who didn't figure from all the canals), I couldn't help but play that piece as I strolled through the streets myself; it just fits incredibly well.

Definitely more than you'd expect from a Pokémon movie. Of course, it is still flawed (Bianca doesn't have much character development aside from her friendship with Latias), but they pale into insignificance. And you know a movie's good when people are still arguing fourteen years after its release about who kissed Ash (I personally think it was Latias, but no official answer has ever been revealed and it's still open for endless speculation)! And some of the fluff between Ash and Latias, as well as Latios's eventual sacrifice can get pretty emotional.

And who could possibly forget that final controversial kiss at the end?

7 Pokemon: Arceus & The Jewel of Life

This movie has a great story, and some critical moments make it very amazing! Including the moment when Ash catches The Jewel Of Life with his legs. I believe this is the 2nd best Pokémon movie (the 1st being Lucario). I'm not just saying it because Arceus is in the film, the storyline and the animation are actually great! Many people who don't understand this film think that we only like it because of Arceus, but believe me, this movie is good!

Awesome, just awesome. Boy, where to begin. This is probably my favorite Pokemon movie of ALL TIME. Sinnoh is my favorite region, and I couldn't wait for an Arceus movie to come out. I knew it would be good, and yet it exceeded my expectations. Cool plot. Cool Pokemon. And it made me think: This is one damn good Pokemon movie.

8 Pokemon: Giratina & The Sky Warrior

This was one of the first movies I saw. Honestly, it was a hard choice for me because some of the other movies were so good. But this one just personally brought a special life lesson for me somehow.

Well-developed villain, a sassy genderfluid hedgehog, and an alternate dimension with a huge void dragon. The equation for my favorite Pokemon movie! The soundtrack is also pretty great.

It had enough momentum to keep me interested throughout, something I cannot say about most other Pokémon movies.

9 Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea

This is the most underrated Pokemon film in my opinion. It almost feels like a parody of 80s action and animated films, as well. It's The Goonies. It's Castle in the Sky. It's The Fox And The Hound. It all feels like an amalgamation of those films and it works because of that. It may feel like an advertisement for the Pokemon Ranger DS titles, but the main character (I forgot who his name is, sorry.) is a very charming and smart one and dishes out most of the action. Of course, it's the final Hoenn film, so they had to show some emotional moments, such as Manaphy leaving. It's an underrated gem, and it certainly belongs in my top 3 Pokemon films.

10 Pokémon 4ever

I loved this movie. I watched it in third grade for a history/design class. It was an enriching experience and out of the blue. (Our teacher was eccentric in a good way.) Now I love this, Pokemon 2000, Destiny Deoxys, and Jirachi Wish Maker the most. These movies have a lot to do with ecology, misuse of science, and human pride and amorality, showing how people want things desperately enough to cause damage. I would definitely rearrange this list as some of the top ten movies aren't even that good. This is one of the best!

The Contenders
11 Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions

This was the first Pokemon movie I watched, and honestly my favorite. Great characters, great plot, and just generally awesome. The fact this film was the debut of Zorua and Zoroark, one of my favorite evolutionary chains, definitely helped.

One of the darkest Pokemon entries yet. I felt so connected to the characters though. I really wish there was more Zoroark & Zorua in other films or the animated series. The villain was the best of the series, and the end was emotional. This deserves #1 or top 3 at least.

12 Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys

The most iconic scene of the movie was the beginning when Deoxys came crashing down to Earth and had the greatest beatdown on a legendary Pokemon ever when he fought Rayquaza.

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! and Destiny Deoxys are my favorite Pokémon movies. Well, I hate the saddest part when Minun gets captured by Deoxys. I love Destiny Deoxys, and a little boy named Tory Lund, and Deoxys and Rayquaza.

This movie is awesome! I got it on Christmas, and Deoxys is boss!

13 Pokemon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages

I love this movie because every legendary, including the weather trio's primal and mega form, showed up. Since the movies, Arceus and the Jewel of Life, Arceus has appeared again. This time he is like a god, who saved and helped the people. Also, this is where there is actually a Pokemon that is a villain rather than a person. Team Rocket didn't cause much trouble but helped, even though Confined was a bit annoying and did not have a lot of moves. They could have had Hyperspace Hole be one of Confined's moves, but they did not, which makes it seem as if Confined is really weak and useless against his shadow. Confined could have helped fight instead of relying on Mega Rayquaza the whole time.

14 Detective Pikachu

Just got back from watching it. It was great, but the ending was terrible and didn't make any sense.

15 Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker

The ending broke my heart when I watched it as a child. I find it especially sad because it's a child that is being separated from his Pokemon. It strikes even harder because it's his first one.

Plus, there is the thought that Jirachi will bond with someone else one thousand years later (when Max won't be there anymore). The contrast between May expressing her wish through the 7-day lucky charm and Max knowing that he will have to say goodbye to Jirachi on the 7th day was sad. May's final resolution and the last scene where Max hears Jirachi's voice were a nice touch too.

And don't get me started on the beautiful OST. This movie always leaves me in a pool of tears.

16 Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

I love I Choose You! I feel sad for Ash's Charmander. Cross was being very mean to it. Anyway, Ash has to let go of his Butterfree and is sad to leave Butterfree. But he still has Pikachu and Charmander. (I think Charmander evolved so it might be Charmeleon.) Ash's Charmeleon evolved into Charizard with amazing power. Charizard beats Cross's Incineroar.

So moving. Luxray's death (if anybody didn't feel sad, except if they hate Luxray too much) must have mental problems. This movie, about 60% of the time, I almost cried. Please, watch it!

17 Pokemon Movie: Mewtwo Returns

This movie is much better than its prequel.

18 Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice

Not the best, but in the top 5 for sure. Great animations and great battle scenes with a great message about fear and friendship/family. I think it's better than many other movies in the series. Not better than the original movie though, or Pokemon 2000.

This was a beautiful movie, and I felt relatable to the characters. The animation was amazing. I love Keldeo, and I love the Sword of Justice. This movie really blew my mind.

This is a little overhated in my opinion. Yeah, it's not my favorite either, but I liked it.

19 Pokemon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened

Okay film. Not the best though, but it was nice to see Mewtwo again, bringing back memories. Quite an intense film, but that's a good thing. It just was missing something that other Pokemon films had, such as Pokemon 2000, Pokemon Spell of the Unown, Rise of Darkrai, Zoroark: Master of Illusions, and Diancie & the Cocoon of Justice.

20 Pokemon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel

The theme music really highlights the movie. The ending theme tune was my favorite ending theme tune because it has this subtle touch that you can't deny.

Another very underrated Pokémon movie! Best movie I watched in years! And that's definitely saying something! This movie is a must-watch!

One of the best movies! Super underrated, a must-watch, you'll fall in love with Volcanion and Magearna.

21 Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

Best film in the Pokémon saga. The story is so good and is based on Pokémon and human relationships.

22 Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
23 Pokemon: The Legend of Thunder
24 Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution
25 Pokémon the Movie: Black - Victini and Reshiram & White - Victini and Zekrom

I wanted to punch the people who hated this movie. It was so amazing, and, like what the person below said, this movie was so underrated and hated. I also liked White Victini and Zekrom more because there was the part where Ash was freezing to death. In Black-Reshiram, there was no music, just crashing and explosions' sounds. In White-Zekrom, there was this music that was so sad, I almost cried. That was the reason I moved my interest from Reshiram to Zekrom.

When I saw all the comments about how bad this movie was, I felt like "What's the matter?" and watched it, then immediately disagreed with everybody that hated this movie. It was so moving! This movie was the only one where I thought of Ash as mature, and the only movie to feel truly involved in it. And yet it was so underrated! How dare people say that?!

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