You can skip 4 of the 32 titles in the Pokémon franchise and still follow the main story: Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, and Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, Evolution. The essentials (28 titles) take about 568 hours instead of 575 hours.
- Skippable
- 4
- Essentials
- 28
- Time saved
- 7 hours
Safe to skip
- Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!2017 · Film · 1h 38m · optionalA retelling of Ash's first journey in its own continuity, with new companions.
- Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us2018 · Film · 1h 38m · optionalA festival town, Zeraora and a wind festival; the same continuity as I Choose You!
- Pokémon Detective Pikachu2019 · Film · 1h 45m · optionalLive action: Tim and a talking Pikachu in detective hat search for Tim's father in Ryme City.
- Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, Evolution2019 · Film · 1h 38m · optionalA CGI remake of the first film.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 2017 · Film · 1h 38m · optional
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
Ash Ketchum wakes up late one morning after having broken his alarm clock in his sleep. He eventually makes it to Professor Oak's lab, but is told that the three starter Pokémon, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander, have already been taken by Trainers who were on time. However, Oak reveals that he has one more Pokémon, an Electric-type named Pikachu. Despite its volatile and feisty personality, as well as its refusal to get inside a Poké Ball, Ash happily takes Pikachu for his journey.
Why it matters: A retelling of Ash's first journey in its own continuity, with new companions.
- Starring
- Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, and Megumi Hayashibara
- Director
- Kunihiko Yuyama
- Box office
- $38 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 33%
No. 02 · 2018 · Film · 1h 38m · optional
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
A young athlete whose running days might be behind her, a compulsive liar, a shy researcher, a bitter old woman, and a little girl with a big secret—the only thing they have in common is the annual Wind Festival in Fula City. The festival celebrates the Legendary Pokémon Lugia, who brings the wind that powers this seaside city. When a series of threats endangers not just the festival, but all the people and Pokémon of Fula City, it’ll take more than just Satoshi and Pikachu to save the day! Can everyone put aside their differences and work together—or will it all end in destruction?
Why it matters: A festival town, Zeraora and a wind festival; the same continuity as I Choose You!
- Starring
- Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, and Megumi Hayashibara
- Director
- Tetsuo Yajima
- Box office
- $24 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 71%
No. 03 · 2019 · Film · 1h 45m · optional
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent monster who seeks to be a detective.
Why it matters: Live action: Tim and a talking Pikachu in detective hat search for Tim's father in Ryme City.
- Starring
- Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, and Kathryn Newton
- Director
- Rob Letterman
- Box office
- $450 million on a $150 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 68%
No. 04 · 2019 · Film · 1h 38m · optional
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, Evolution
After accepting an invitation from a mysterious trainer, Ash, Misty and Brock meet Mewtwo, an artificially created Pokémon who wants to do battle.
Why it matters: A CGI remake of the first film.
- Starring
- Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, and Mayumi Izuka
- Director
- Motonori Sakakibara and Kunihiko Yuyama
- Box office
- $27 million
- Scores
- IMDb 5.7 · Rotten Tomatoes 44%
The essentials, in release order
- Pokémon: The Original Series1997 · Series · 105h 47mAsh and Pikachu set out from Pallet Town through Kanto, the Orange Islands and Johto; the 1997 start of everything.
- Pokémon: The First Movie1998 · Film · 1h 36mMewtwo, a cloned Pokémon, turns on the humans who made him; Ash is turned to stone.
- Pokémon: The Movie 20001999 · Film · 1h 24mAsh must gather three treasures to stop the legendary birds from destroying the world.
- Pokémon 3: The Movie2000 · Film · 1h 13mThe Unown build a crystal world around a lonely girl, and Ash's mom is taken.
- Pokémon 4Ever2001 · Film · 1h 20mCelebi and a boy from 40 years in the past; time travel in the forest.
- Pokémon Heroes2002 · Film · 1h 20mLatios and Latias in a Venice-like city, against two thieves.
- Pokémon: Advanced Generation2002 · Series · 73h 36mAsh travels Hoenn with May, Max and Brock, then the Battle Frontier.
- Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker2003 · Film · 1h 21mJirachi wakes for seven days every thousand years; Butler wants its power.
- Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys2004 · Film · 1h 38mDeoxys and Rayquaza clash over a futuristic city.
- Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew2005 · Film · 1h 43mLucario, sealed in a staff for centuries, searches for Mew and the Tree of Beginning.
- Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea2006 · Film · 1h 45mManaphy hatches and leads Ash to the Sea Temple.
- Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl2006 · Series · 73h 13mAsh travels Sinnoh with Dawn and Brock, against Paul and Team Galactic.
- Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai2007 · Film · 1h 35mDialga and Palkia fight in Alamos Town, and Darkrai protects it.
- Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior2008 · Film · 1h 40mShaymin and Giratina, and a man who wants the Reverse World.
- Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life2009 · Film · 1h 35mArceus returns to take revenge on humanity for a betrayal; Ash goes back in time.
- Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions2010 · Film · 1h 36mZoroark is forced to rampage through Crown City under a criminal's control.
- Pokémon: Black & White2010 · Series · 54h 26mAsh starts over in Unova with Iris and Cilan.
- Pokémon the Movie: White, Victini and Zekrom2011 · Film · 1h 37mVictini is trapped by the barrier of a kingdom's descendant; released as two versions.
- Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice2012 · Film · 1h 12mKeldeo challenges Kyurem to save the Swords of Justice.
- Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened2013 · Film · 1h 36mAn army of Genesect settles in a city and clashes with Mewtwo.
- Pokémon: XY2013 · Series · 54h 26mAsh travels Kalos with Serena, Clemont and Bonnie; Ash-Greninja and Team Flare.
- Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction2014 · Film · 1h 16mDiancie looks for Xerneas to save its kingdom; Yveltal wakes.
- Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages2015 · Film · 1h 13mHoopa's rings summon legendary Pokémon, and its unbound form runs wild.
- Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel2016 · Film · 1h 37mAsh is chained to Volcanion as a kingdom tries to use Magearna.
- Pokémon: Sun & Moon2016 · Series · 55h 58mAsh goes to school in Alola and finally wins a league.
- Pokémon Journeys2019 · Series · 56h 22mAsh and Goh visit every region; Ash becomes World Champion and his journey ends.
- Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle2020 · Film · 1h 41mKoko, a boy raised by Zarude in the jungle.
- Pokémon Horizons2023 · Series · 64h 35mNew heroes Liko and Roy after Ash's story ends.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Pokémon title?
No. You can skip 4 of the 32 titles in the Pokémon franchise and still follow the main story: Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, and Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, Evolution. The essentials (28 titles) take about 568 hours instead of 575 hours.
How long are the Pokémon essentials?
About 568 hours for 28 titles, in release order starting with Pokémon: The Original Series.
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