Pokémon: The First Movie (1999)
1999 • TMDB 7.0 • 1h 36m • Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Action
Overview
Pokémon: The First Movie brought the world’s most beloved pocket monsters to the big screen in a story far darker and more philosophical than anyone expected. When the genetically engineered Mewtwo awakens in a laboratory, he rejects the scientists who created him and sets out to prove that clones are superior to the originals. Luring Ash, Misty, Brock, and other top trainers to his island fortress of New Island, Mewtwo pits his cloned Pokémon against their partners in a battle that quickly turns brutal and heartbreaking. As Pikachu faces its own clone and the fighting escalates toward mutual destruction, Ash makes a desperate sacrifice that forces everyone — human and Pokémon alike — to confront what truly gives life meaning. Beneath the action, the film asks surprisingly deep questions about identity, purpose, and whether a copy can ever be its own being. Packed with nostalgia, a stirring score, and the most emotional scene in the franchise’s history, The First Movie remains essential viewing for fans of every generation.
Director & Cast
- Director: Kunihiko Yuyama
- Rica Matsumoto as Ash Ketchum (voice)
- Ikue Otani as Pikachu (voice)
- Mayumi Izuka as Misty (voice)
- Yuji Ueda as Brock (voice)
- Satomi Korogi as Togepi (voice)
- Megumi Hayashibara as Jessie (voice)
- Shin-ichiro Miki as James (voice)
- Inuko Inuyama as Meowth (voice)
Why Watch Pokémon: The First Movie?
Pokémon: The First Movie is where a generation fell in love with the franchise all over again — bigger, bolder, and more emotional than the TV show ever was. Mewtwo remains one of animation’s most compelling villains: not evil for its own sake, but a created being demanding to know why he exists. The clone-versus-original battles are thrilling, the humor from Team Rocket keeps things light, and the finale still reduces longtime fans to tears. It is a perfect family movie night pick and a fascinating time capsule of late-1990s Pokémania.
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer on YouTube: Pokémon: The First Movie | Official Trailer (The Official Pokémon YouTube channel)
Where to Watch
In the US, Pokémon: The First Movie streams on Tubi TV (with ads). It is available to rent for $1.99 on Amazon Video and $3.99 on Apple TV Store, and to buy for $7.99 on Amazon Video and $9.99 on Apple TV Store. Check current availability on JustWatch US.
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Poster: TMDB. Rating and runtime verified on TMDB. Streaming status checked on JustWatch US, October 29, 2026.
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