What was the original English title of the Pokémon franchise’s first theatrical film?

The original English title of the franchise’s first theatrical film was Pokémon: The First Movie.

The film was released in Japan in 1998 and internationally beginning in 1999. Its story centers on Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon who challenges the ethics of creating powerful life and seeks to prove the value of clones. The movie expanded the anime’s themes into a feature-length adventure.

Its Japanese title was Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back, while the English release used Pokémon: The First Movie. That difference explains why the film is sometimes identified by a Japanese title or by its subtitle, Mewtwo Strikes Back.

The movie became a major commercial event, particularly in North America, where it opened at number one. It was followed by Pokémon the Movie 2000, which is a separate film and not an alternate title for the first movie.