What is the name of the first Pokémon movie?

The first Pokémon movie is Mewtwo Strikes Back, officially released in English as Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back. It is a 1998 Japanese animated film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and the first feature in the Pokémon anime film series.

The story centers on Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon created from research involving Mew. After rejecting the humans who created and exploited it, Mewtwo invites Pokémon Trainers to New Island for a confrontation that raises questions about cloning, identity, and whether a creation can define its own purpose. Ash, Misty, and Brock become caught in the conflict.

A common mix-up comes from the film’s different titles. In Japan, the movie is known as Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, while the international English release was marketed as Pokémon: The First Movie, with “Mewtwo Strikes Back” as its subtitle. The later film Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution is a 2019 computer-animated remake, not the original. The first film also included the short Pikachu’s Summer Vacation in many theatrical releases.