Off the Shelf Media

In preparation for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, happening on February 27, 2026, we decided to dive back in to all the classic animated films any early fan of Pokémon is sure to remember. 

But which are worth a rewatch today, and which are you better off leaving as a fond childhood memory? We rewatched the films, so you don’t have to. Below is our ranking of the best Pokémon movies from the early 2000s. 

But before we get to the best, we have to go through some of the worst. 

Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker (2003)

Ash and the gang, comprised of Brock, May, and Max, are heading to the seven-day celebration of the Millennium Comet, which only makes an appearance once every thousand years, give or take. During this period, the mythical Pokémon Jirachi awakens to absorb the comet’s energy, which it then uses to sustain the lush and beautiful Forina forest. 

Of course, the antagonist, aka Butler, wants Jirachi’s power for himself to restore the legendary Groudon from a fossil. Along with his girlfriend, Diane, the two set out to capture Jirachi. Shortly after, they run into Ash and the team at the festival, where Max is introduced to Jirachi. The two become quick friends, right before the intentions of Butler and Diane are revealed. 

Butler gets his wish, but not all goes according to plan as the Groudon that returns is full of pure evil and quickly begins destroying all in its path. Jirachi is able to defeat the beast, bringing balance back to the Forina before returning to its next slumber. 

Aside from further establishing Groudon and Absol as iconic Pokémon in the franchise, this movie was pretty dull and forgettable overall. The stakes are low, the characters don’t stand out, and the lesson also seems washed out. 

Pokémon the Movie: Destiny Deoxys (2004)

The major players involved are once again shaken up, being that these films are continuations of what happened in the show, ergo, most of them don’t actually feature the trio most of us recall from watching. 

As a meteorite holding Deoxys crashed toward the atmosphere, it crossed paths with the legendary Rayquaza. After the two Pokémon battle it out, Deoxys is temporarily defeated and does not emerge again until years later, when Ash, Brock, May, and Max find themselves in the futuristic city of Larousse City. As many other films, they find themselves aiming to stop the battle between Deoxys and Rayquaza that tears through the city. 

It does have a fitting and unique setting in its tech-centric, modernized city, but otherwise, the film as a whole feels overly done, and there isn’t much to make it stand out. 

Pokémon 4Ever: Calebi – Voice of the Forest (2001)

Pokémon 4Ever: Calebii and Pokémon: Jirachi are pretty neck and neck in terms of overall quality and enjoyment in a rewatch. What puts this one slightly above is one short but heartbreaking scene with Calebi that really sticks in the brain. Also, it has Misty and Brock for once (though not much)!

The original trio of Ash, Misty, and Brock find themselves in Johto, where they meet a young boy named Sammy who is from the past and was brought to the present day by Calebi to escape a hunter. Right off the bat, I’m turned off. I personally hate time travel as a plot point. Very few films do it right, and Pokémon is not one of them. But I digress. 

Now, present day, Calebi is once again being hunted. Ash and the crew, accompanied by Sammy, set out to protect Calebi, aka “the voice of the forest.” 

Despite how adorable Calebi is and the inclusion of a few really aesthetic scenes, not much else stands out or feels different from other parts of the series. 

This film could have created a greater impact in terms of emphasizing the importance of environmental protection, but its dull nature and lackluster villain detract from the impactfulness of this key message.  

Pokémon the Movie 2000 (1999)

All of your favorites return, well, most of them. It’s missing Brock, but otherwise, the film follows Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Tracey as they head south of the Kanto region to the Orange Islands. 

Ash takes on the task of the “chosen one” as the locals host a festival to celebrate the islands of fire, ice, and lighting. However, a viscous collector disrupts the balance of nature when he captures legendary Pokémon Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos with his ultimate goal of adding Lugia to his collection. 

Ash and friends must bring peace and balance back to the Orange Islands. Even Team Rocket are given a few moments to shine. It’s pretty quintessential Pokémon. 

The early film even opens with a catchy, classic 90s original song that is pretty reminiscent of the “DK Rap” from Donkey Kong 64. 

All in all, this one is a nice, light-hearted and short movie that will probably spark a few memories you didn’t know you had. It isn’t higher on the list simply because the stakes never actually feel that big compared to some of the other films and the depth is fairly shallow, even for a kid’s movie. 

Pokémon Heroes (2002)

This one was my absolute favorite as a kid. It was introduced to me by my friend’s older brother, who grew out of Pokémon before I did. He gave me his well-worn DVD copy, which I’ve struggled to hunt down since. 

The film kicks off with a water race, during which Ash sees an invisible Latias with its twin Latios not too far behind. The two Pokémon defend the city, but not too long after Ash, Misty, and Brock arrive, does chaos ensue as evil spies Annie and Oakley reanimate a bunch of fossils to steal the city’s power and source of defense. 

In the end, the city is once again protected and the villains are thwarted, but only after the sacrifice of Latios. 

Though fans online don’t seem to recall this one with as much pleasantries as I do, this film still deserves some credit for bringing us iconic Pokémon in Latios and Latias in a unique and iconic city. It also features a finale that feels final, unlike Pokémon 4Ever. 

Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005)

This one is actually one of the last films I watched before I had decidedly moved on from the Pokémon films and shows. Lucario was simply too cool not to watch. We also see the return of Mew. 

While attending what seems like a Renaissance Fair, Ash coincidentally wears the garb of Lucario’s original master, who had sealed Lucario up in his staff. He is only released after the staff is awarded to Ash, who resembles the former master. 

The film predominantly features Ash and a new character, Kidd, who venture out to find the Tree of Beginning, where Mew incidentally took Pikachi and Meowth in an attempt to escape capture. To rescue Pikachi and Mew, Ash and team set out to the Tree, which acts to defend itself from the human presence. 

Serving as the bridge between humans and Pokémon, Lucario is able to protect both the Tree and Ash and the team. In doing so, he must sacrifice himself, but it brings back restoration to the Tree and reveals that Lucario’s original master, Sir Aaron, had made a similar sacrifice when entrapping Lucario in the staff. 

Lucario’s character is unique and engaging in a way that most prior iterations are not, making it a true standout and arguably one of the last strong films added to the series. 

Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998)

As the first-ever Pokémon film, Pokémon: The First Movie, had to be near the top of the list. It set the standard for storytelling in Pokémon media, but perhaps it set it too high, as most of these films since have been unable to come close to raising the stakes and eliciting an emotional response. 

A group of Team Rocket scientists has genetically engineered a clone of Mew in Mewtwo, who comes to realize he was the result of experimentation and intended to serve as a weapon. Mewtwo fights back against its captors and escapes, vowing to get revenge on humankind. 

Mewtwo then lures trainers to New Island with the allure of finding the greatest Pokémon Master there ever was. Ash, Misty, and Brock answer the call, eventually encountering Mewtwo, who has come to believe that clones are superior, and they engage in an epic battle of Pokémon versus clone, including Mew versus Mewtwo.

The battle comes to an end when Ash selflessly throws himself in between the fighting, causing Mewtwo to have a change of heart.  

It features one of the most heart-wrenching scenes for any Pokémon fan to witness. If you grew up on the films, you know the scene. 

For that alone, it deserves to be near the top of the list. 

Pokémon 3 the Movie: Spell of the Unown (2000)

This film stood out the most in my memory, and it stands out the most in my rewatch. It’s one of the darker-toned films, which really stands out as my biggest criticism of most of these movies in the series is that the stakes always feel too low and you never really wonder whether Ash and them are going to come out successful on the other side. 

A researcher seeks out answers from the Unown, runes that are actually the symbol Pokémon. He is accidentally transported to a different dimension, leaving his younger daughter, Molly, behind and all alone. Molly comes to find the Unown herself, which then brings her childlike desires to life. The legendary Pokémon Entei is brought forward to act as a protector and father figure to the girl. Entei then kidnaps Ash’s mom to serve as a mother for Molly. 

Ash and team arrive as the impact of Molly’s wishes spreads and begins to affect the nearby town. Upon realizing his mother has been taken, the team heads out to rescue Ash’s mom and Molly from the Unown’s entrapment. 

Per the typical course, Ash’s Pokémon begin to clash with Entei as they try to rescue both Ash’s mom and the girl who is acting in fear and loneliness in the absence of her parents. 

In the end, Molly learns that her actions were causing harm, though unintended. With Entei and Molly now on their side, the heroes are able to return the city to normal and return Molly’s father to the proper dimension. 

Though I loved the games growing up, I wasn’t overly crazy about the show as a whole, and the movies were always okay to watch but never a must-watch. As an adult, that’s pretty much the same overview. It’s fun for kids, it’s nostalgic, but it’s not worth dropping most of your paycheck on to buy the digital copies on Amazon. 

What early Pokémon films do you think are worth a revisit? Any missing from our list that still hold up to this day? Let us know in the comments!