What was the first Pokémon film released theatrically?

The first Pokémon film released theatrically was Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back.

The Japanese film premiered on July 18, 1998, and was produced by OLM. Its story centers on Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon who questions its identity and relationship to its creators. Ash, Pikachu, and their friends become involved after receiving an invitation to a mysterious island.

The film’s English title includes the subtitle Mewtwo Strikes Back. Some references shorten it to Pokémon: The First Movie, while the Japanese title translates more directly as Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back. These naming differences can make the film appear to have multiple titles.

A short film, Pikachu’s Vacation, accompanied the theatrical feature in many releases. The movie became a major international success and helped establish Pokémon as a film franchise, followed by Pokémon the Movie 2000 in 1999.