What was the first Pokémon anime film called?

The first Pokémon anime film was Pokémon: The First Movie.

Its full English title is Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back. The film was first released theatrically in Japan on July 18, 1998, and was directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, who directed many Pokémon films.

The story centers on Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon created from research involving Mew. Mewtwo invites Trainers to New Island, where the film explores identity, creation, cloning, and the consequences of treating living beings as tools.

The English-language version reached North America in November 1999. It is often called Mewtwo Strikes Back in casual conversation, but Pokémon: The First Movie is the canonical English title of the film. Its 2019 computer-animated remake was titled Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution.