Movies like Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)
The best movies like Pokémon: The First Movie (1998) are Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013), Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2001) and Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution (2019). If Pokémon: The First Movie hooked you with its animation and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSpirited Away (2001)8.5/10 from 19,210 votes
- NewestAvatar: Fire and Ash (2025)Released 2025
- In JapanesePokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013)Also in Japanese
Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013)
A group of five Genesect have invaded the big city and pose a threat to the supply of electricity, which attracts the attention of the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo. Satoshi, Pikachu and his friends must come to the rescue when the powerful leader, a red Genesect, faces Mewtwo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2001)
The Team Rocket leader, Giovanni, has found Mewtwo in a remote area of the Johto region. As Giovanni tries to re-capture Mewtwo, Ash and his friends are kidnapped by Domino, a new Team Rocket member, while trying to rescue Pikachu from Jessie and James. The Clone Pokemon are also captured and are then used as bait for Mewtwo. The situation then becomes a battle between the wills of Mewtwo and Giovanni; and Mewtwo also tries to discover if it and the clones have a purpose in life, even though they are products of science.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution (2019)
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 matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (2015)
Ash, Pikachu, and their friends come to a desert city by the sea. Here they meet the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa, which has the ability to summon things—including people and Pokémon—through its magic rings. After a scary incident, they learn of a story about a brave hero who stopped the rampage of a terrifying Pokémon long ago. Now, the threat that has been bottled up for years is in danger of breaking loose again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYo-kai Watch: The Movie (2014)
When the evil Yo-Kai Kin, Gin and Bronzlow makes the Yo-Kai Watch disappear from time so they can help Dame Dedtime prevent humans and Yo-Kai from being friends, Nate Adams finds help in the Yo-Kai Hovernyan, who takes Nate, Whisper and Jibanyan 60 years to the past, when the Yo-Kai Watch was first invented by Nate's grandfather, Nathaniel Adams, while he was a boy. Together, the 2 boys fight Dame Dedtime and her evil Wicked Yo-Kai minions to save the world from her evil plans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle (2020)
In the Forest of Okoya, Koko is a feral child who has been raised as a Pokémon by the Mythical Pokémon Zarude. Koko has grown up never doubting that he is a Pokémon even though he can't really use any sort of moves. Ash Ketchum and Pikachu meet Koko and help him protect the Great Tree from the crooked scientist Dr. Zed.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPokémon: Destiny Deoxys (2004)
Deoxys, a Pokémon from outer space, terrorizes the high-tech city Ash Ketchum and his friends are visiting.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)
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 matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (2016)
Ash meets the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion when it crashes down from the sky, creating a cloud of dust—and a mysterious force binds the two of them together! Volcanion despises humans and tries to get away, but it’s forced to drag Ash along as it continues its rescue mission. They arrive in a city of cogs and gears, where a corrupt official has stolen the ultimate invention: the Artificial Pokémon Magearna, created 500 years ago. He plans to use its mysterious power to take control of this mechanical kingdom! Can Ash and Volcanion work together to rescue Magearna? One of the greatest battles in Pokémon history is about to unfold!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009)
When the creator of the world, Arceus, comes to pass judgement on humanity for the theft of the legendary Jewel of Life, Ash and his friends are sent back in time to possibly reverse the events that led to Arceus' vendetta.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPokémon: Zoroark - Master of Illusions (2010)
Ash and his friends must stop a greedy media mogul from using the shape-shifting Zoroark to capture the time-travelling Celebi.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
When Giratina is discovered to be able to create parallel dimensions, it's up to Ash and his friends to stop a mysterious stranger from using its powers for evil.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDigimon: The Movie (2000)
When a powerful new Internet Digimon hatches and begins to consume data at an alarming rate, the Digidestined - kids chosen to save the digital world - must put an end to the destruction before the damage becomes irreversible and worldwide communication halts forever. As computer-based missiles are launched, and a wayward Digimon kidnaps the Digidestined, only the combined efforts of a worldwide network of kids and a new group of "Digidestined" can rescue the others and stop global disaster.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)
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 matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: Dangerous Honeymoon -The Lost Daddy- (2019)
Hiroshi and Misae have never been to a honeymoon trip to a foreign country. One day, Misae discovered an inexpensive and family-friendly holiday package to Australia and the Nohara family decided to make it their first honeymoon vacation. Hiroshi gets kidnapped upon arrival to Australia, leaving Shinnosuke, Misae and others on a dangerous journey. It turns out that Hiroshi is the key to a secret treasure. The remaining members of the Nohara Family must rescue Hiroshi, while a mysterious masked man and treasure hunters from all over the world are after him. The struggle is among three different groups in this action-filled treasure hunting adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJumanji: The Next Level (2019)
As the gang return to Jumanji to rescue one of their own, they discover that nothing is as they expect. The players will have to brave parts unknown and unexplored in order to escape the world’s most dangerous game.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
The year is 2071. Following a terrorist bombing, a deadly virus is released on the populace of Mars and the government has issued the largest bounty in history, for the capture of whoever is behind it. The bounty hunter crew of the spaceship Bebop; Spike, Faye, Jet and Ed, take the case with hopes of cashing in the bounty. However, the mystery surrounding the man responsible, Vincent, goes deeper than they ever imagined, and they aren't the only ones hunting him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAvatar: Fire and Ash (2025)
In the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully and Neytiri face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Na'vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang. Jake's family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLeroy & Stitch (2006)
Lilo, Stitch, Jumba, and Pleakley have finally caught all of Jumba's genetic experiments and found the one true place where each of them belongs. Stitch, Jumba and Pleakley are offered positions in the Galactic Alliance, turning them down so they can stay on Earth with Lilo, but Lilo realizes her alien friends have places where they belong – and it's finally time to say "aloha".
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDoggie March (1963)
It tells the story of Rock, a puppy whose mother is killed by a tiger and a fox. To fulfill his revenge, will achieve together a large number of animals. An animated collaboration between Osamu Tezuka and Toei Animation.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Pac’s Scary Halloween (2016)
Dr. Pacenstein and Eeghost are plotting to ruin Pac's Halloween dinner plans at Transylpacia Castle and it is up to a scary neighbor to save the night.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Spirited Away (2001)
A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
The starship Enterprise and its crew is pulled back into action when old nemesis, Khan, steals a top secret device called Project Genesis.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGladiator (2000)
After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisInvizimals: A Tale of Two Dimensions (2013)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Zatoichi (2003)
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStar Trek: Nemesis (2002)
En route to the honeymoon of William Riker to Deanna Troi on her home planet of Betazed, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise receives word from Starfleet that a coup has resulted in the installation of a new Romulan political leader, Shinzon, who claims to seek peace with the human-backed United Federation of Planets. Once in enemy territory, the captain and his crew make a startling discovery: Shinzon is human, a slave from the Romulan sister planet of Remus, and has a secret, shocking relationship to Picard himself.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Simpsons Movie (2007)
After Homer accidentally pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugitives.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUndersea Super Train: Marine Express (1979)
The plot of Marine Express can be described in two parts. The first part focuses on the people boarding the train and the problems they encounter on it. The second part takes place after the train has stopped at its half-way point, an island that used to be home to an ancient civilization millennia ago and has its fair share of secrets.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Like Pokémon: The First Movie and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Pokémon: The First Movie?
The closest matches to Pokémon: The First Movie are Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013), Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2001) and Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution (2019). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Pokémon: The First Movie?
Start with Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013), the closest match to Pokémon: The First Movie.
What is the highest-rated movie like Pokémon: The First Movie?
Spirited Away (2001), rated 8.5/10 by 19,210 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Pokémon: The First Movie?
Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Pokémon: The First Movie?
Yes: Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013), Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2001) and Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution (2019).
How are movies similar to Pokémon: The First Movie chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Pokémon: The First Movie, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.