Movies - TV
All 24 Pokémon Movies Ranked Worst To Best
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
24. The First Movie
While “Pokémon: The First Movie” was a major pop culture event at the time of its release, viewers who are unfamiliar with the complex world of "Pokémon" will learn little about the franchise from this film. “The First Movie” can only truly be appreciated by longtime fans who are dedicated to the Pokémon mythos.
23. Evolution
The CGI remake of “The First Movie” features a voice new cast and a slightly altered script, but “Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution” suffers from the same impenetrable story of the original. Though the animation is smooth and more modern-looking, it looks and sounds more like a video game cutscene than a film.
22. The Cocoon of Destruction
“Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction” uses the same story template as its predecessors; not a great look for a newer entry in the franchise. The villains upset the balance of nature and cause destruction while trying to gain control of a powerful Pokémon, before the film delivers a final message denouncing violence.
21. The Legend Awakened
In a “Jurassic Park”-like fashion, “Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened” sees an extinct legendary Pokémon resurrected in the modern times. This film uses scientific and historical terms from our world to explain Genesect's story, and the attempt to apply real history to Pokémon makes things messy, bizarre, and ultimately falls flat.
20. The Master of Illusion
“Pokémon the Movie: Zoroark – The Master of Illusion” is another example of the bland story template used in many Pokémon films. The use of illusions as plot obstacles is a fascinating idea, but the film's big reveal and main villain are lackluster, while the movie’s central theme of “Pokémon should be wild and free” is at odds with the whole franchise.