Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)
Pokémon: The First Movie is streaming in Japan on Amazon Prime Video, U-NEXT.
The verdict
Pokémon: The First Movie is a solid, watchable Japanese film that mostly delivers on what it promises. It's sitting at 7.0/10 on TMDB across 1,633 ratings, which puts it comfortably above average. At a brisk 96 minutes, it slots easily into a weeknight. In Japan you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, U-NEXT.
Should you spend 96 minutes on it?
96 minutes of Japanese animation with family threaded through, fine for the whole family. Under the two-hour mark — an easy weeknight watch.
- Why
- 7.0/10 from 1,633 ratings — well received so far, on a modest sample.
- Skip if
- you want live action tonight
- Best for
- A family evening that doesn't run late
Story
Determined to prove its superiority, a bio-engineered Pokémon called Mewtwo lures Ash, Pikachu and others into a Pokémon match like none before.
Good to know
| Runtime | 1h 36m — short |
| Watch with family? | G · Yes — family friendly |
| Genre | Animation / Family |
| Language | Japanese |
| Best screen | Stream at home |
Director
Kunihiko Yuyama
Cast
Where to watch in Japan
Included with a subscription — no extra charge on these platforms.
Availability as of 27 Sept 2026 — platforms may change over time.
More: Everything new on Prime Video · All Prime Video titles in Japan
Trailer
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