What was the title of the first Pokémon animated film released in theaters?

The first Pokémon animated film released in theaters was Pokémon: The First Movie.

Its full English title is Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back. The film centers on Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon who questions its origins and challenges powerful Trainers. Ash, Pikachu, and their friends become involved in the conflict.

The movie was released in Japan in 1998 and later distributed internationally. It was based on the television anime and became a major theatrical event during Pokémon’s first worldwide popularity boom. A short film, Pikachu’s Vacation, accompanied the feature in many theatrical releases.

The title is sometimes shortened to Mewtwo Strikes Back, but that phrase is the subtitle, not the complete English title. A computer-animated remake, Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution, was released in 2019.