The Complete Pokémon Anime Watch Order: Chronological With Movies & Specials
The Pokémon anime has been running for more than 25 years. In that time, Ash Ketchum traveled through multiple regions, battled hundreds of Trainers, caught dozens of Pokémon, appeared in more than a thousand episodes, and starred in more movies and specials than you can shake a Poké Ball at.
If you simply want to watch the main television series, following the seasons in order is easy enough. But what if you want to watch the movies and important specials at the points where they fit into the story?
That’s where things get a little complicated.
This guide follows the Pokémon anime in chronological-with-movies order. The television series remains the backbone of the timeline, while theatrical movies and significant specials are inserted where they best fit.
Because Pokémon continuity is not always precise, some movies cannot be placed between two specific episodes with absolute certainty. In those cases, this guide gives the best placement based on the characters, Pokémon, locations, and story elements appearing in the movie.
We’ll also distinguish between the main television continuity and movies or series that take place in alternate continuities.
Part I: The Original Series
Pokémon: Indigo League
📺 Watch: Pokémon: Indigo League
This is where Ash Ketchum’s journey begins. He leaves Pallet Town with Pikachu and sets out to become a Pokémon Master.
Along the way, he meets Misty and Brock, earns his first Gym Badges, battles Team Rocket, and eventually competes in the Pokémon League.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
Watch the first movie during the Indigo League era, after Ash has assembled a substantial team and before the transition to the Orange Islands.
The exact episode placement is somewhat ambiguous, but this is firmly an early Ash-era movie.
⭐ Special: Pikachu’s Winter Vacation
The various Pikachu shorts associated with the early anime can be watched around this period. They are mostly standalone adventures and aren’t essential to following the main story.
Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands
📺 Watch: Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands
After the Indigo League, Ash travels to the Orange Islands.
This is technically part of the original series but represents a distinct mini-adventure before Ash heads to Johto.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One
Watch during the Orange Islands era.
The movie features Lugia and the legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
Pokémon: The Johto Journeys
📺 Watch: Pokémon: The Johto Journeys
Ash, Misty, and Brock leave the Orange Islands and begin exploring the Johto region.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown
Watch during the early Johto era.
The movie introduces the mysterious Unown and features Entei in a story involving a young girl named Molly.
Pokémon: Johto League Champions
📺 Watch: Pokémon: Johto League Champions
Continue Ash’s journey through Johto.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon 4Ever – Celebi: The Voice of the Forest
This movie belongs to the Johto era and features Celebi, as well as a young Pokémon Trainer named Sam.
Pokémon: Master Quest
📺 Watch: Pokémon: Master Quest
Complete Ash’s Johto adventure, including the Silver Conference.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias
Watch during the latter portion of Ash’s Johto journey.
The movie takes place in Alto Mare and introduces the legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias.
⭐ Special: Mewtwo Returns
This television special follows up on the events involving Mewtwo from the first movie.
It works best after Pokémon: The First Movie and before moving too far beyond the original series.
Part II: Advanced Generation
Pokémon Advanced
📺 Watch: Pokémon Advanced
Ash leaves Johto and travels to Hoenn.
Misty departs the main cast, and Ash meets May and Max. Brock eventually rejoins him.
This begins the Advanced Generation era.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker
Watch during Ash’s Hoenn adventure.
The movie introduces the mythical Pokémon Jirachi and features May and Max.
Pokémon Advanced Challenge
📺 Watch: Pokémon Advanced Challenge
Continue Ash’s Hoenn journey.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys
Watch during the Hoenn era.
The story centers around Deoxys and a futuristic city called LaRousse City.
Pokémon Advanced Battle
📺 Watch: Pokémon Advanced Battle
Continue through Hoenn.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
This movie introduces Lucario and explores an ancient mystery involving the legendary Pokémon Mew.
Pokémon Battle Frontier
📺 Watch: Pokémon Battle Frontier
After the Hoenn League, Ash returns to Kanto to compete in the Battle Frontier.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
This is the final theatrical movie associated with the Advanced Generation.
The story features Manaphy and introduces the Pokémon Ranger concept to the anime’s movie audience.
Part III: Diamond & Pearl
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl
📺 Watch: Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl
Ash travels to Sinnoh and meets Dawn, a young Pokémon Coordinator who becomes his new traveling companion.
Brock also returns.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai
Watch during the Sinnoh era.
This begins a connected trilogy involving Darkrai, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, and eventually Arceus.
The movies are largely independent from the television plot, but they share an overarching mythology.
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl – Battle Dimension
📺 Watch: Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension
Continue Ash’s Sinnoh adventure.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior
The second movie in the Sinnoh trilogy.
Giratina plays a central role, along with the mythical Pokémon Shaymin.
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl – Galactic Battles
📺 Watch: Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles
Continue through the Team Galactic storyline and Ash’s Sinnoh journey.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life
This is the conclusion of the interconnected Sinnoh movie trilogy.
It brings together Arceus, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl – Sinnoh League Victors
📺 Watch: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors
Complete Ash’s Sinnoh adventure.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: Zoroark – Master of Illusions
The final movie of the Diamond & Pearl era.
The story centers around Zoroark and Zorua and features the legendary beasts Raikou, Entei, and Suicune.
Part IV: Black & White
Pokémon Black & White
📺 Watch: Pokémon Black & White
Ash travels to the Unova region.
Unlike the previous generation, Ash begins this journey with a largely new team and encounters a new group of companions.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram
🎬 Alternate Version: Pokémon the Movie: White – Victini and Zekrom
These two movies tell alternate versions of essentially the same story.
For a normal viewing: Watch either one.
For a complete movie collection: Watch both.
Pokémon Black & White – Rival Destinies
📺 Watch: Black & White: Rival Destinies
Continue Ash’s Unova adventure.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
The movie features Kyurem and the Swords of Justice: Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion.
Pokémon Black & White – Adventures in Unova and Beyond
📺 Watch: Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond
Complete Ash’s Unova adventure.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon: Genesect and the Legend Awakened
This movie features a group of Genesect and brings Mewtwo back into the Pokémon movie universe.
Part V: Pokémon XY
Pokémon the Series: XY
📺 Watch: Pokémon the Series: XY
Ash travels to the Kalos region and meets Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie.
The series introduces Mega Evolution as a major part of Ash’s journey.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
Watch during the XY era.
The movie features the mythical Pokémon Diancie and the legendary Pokémon Yveltal.
Pokémon the Series: XY – Kalos Quest
📺 Watch: Pokémon the Series: XY – Kalos Quest
Continue Ash’s Kalos adventure.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
The movie features Hoopa and a spectacular gathering of legendary Pokémon.
Pokémon the Series: XYZ
📺 Watch: Pokémon the Series: XYZ
This is the conclusion of Ash’s Kalos journey.
The series contains some of the most important developments in Ash’s long-running story, including the Kalos League and Team Flare storyline.
🎬 Movie: Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
This is the final theatrical movie associated with the XY era.
⭐ Specials: Mega Evolution
The four-part Mega Evolution Specials follow Alain and his Charizard.
They can be watched during the XY/XYZ era and provide additional background for the Mega Evolution storyline.
Part VI: Pokémon Sun & Moon
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
📺 Watch: Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Ash travels to the Alola region.
This series changes the formula significantly. Instead of traveling from city to city collecting Gym Badges, Ash attends the Pokémon School on Melemele Island.
The series also introduces a much more slice-of-life-oriented style.
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Adventures
📺 Watch: Sun & Moon – Ultra Adventures
Continue the Alola storyline.
The Ultra Beasts and the mysterious Ultra Space become increasingly important.
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends
📺 Watch: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends
Complete Ash’s Alola adventure.
The series culminates in the first Alola Pokémon League, where Ash finally wins a regional Pokémon League championship.
Part VII: The Alternate Ash Movies
At this point, it is important to step outside the main television continuity.
Three movies form a separate continuity that reimagines Ash’s story.
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
🎬 Watch: Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
This movie retells the beginning of Ash’s journey.
However, it is not simply a condensed version of Indigo League. It establishes an alternate version of the Pokémon world and changes many details of Ash’s story.
It should therefore be treated as an alternate continuity rather than inserted into Season 1.
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
🎬 Watch: Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
This continues the continuity established by I Choose You!.
Ash is present, but the story is much more of an ensemble adventure involving several different characters.
Pokémon: Secrets of the Jungle
🎬 Watch: Pokémon: Secrets of the Jungle
The third movie in this alternate continuity.
The story takes place in a jungle and centers around a human boy raised by a Zarude.
These three movies are best watched together as a separate alternate-timeline trilogy.
Part VIII: Pokémon Journeys
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
📺 Watch: Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Ash’s adventure changes dramatically again.
Rather than spending the entire series in one region, Ash and his new friend Goh travel throughout the Pokémon world.
Ash begins competing in the World Coronation Series, with the ultimate goal of challenging the world’s strongest Trainers.
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series
📺 Watch: Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series
Continue Ash and Goh’s worldwide adventures.
The World Coronation Series becomes increasingly important as Ash climbs the rankings.
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series
📺 Watch: Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series
This is the culmination of Ash’s 25-year journey.
Ash finally reaches the highest levels of the World Coronation Series and faces some of the greatest Trainers in the Pokémon world.
⭐ Special: Pokémon: Arceus Chronicles
This special is set during the Journeys era and can be watched alongside the later portion of the series.
Part IX: The End of Ash’s Journey
Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master
📺 Watch: Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master
After the conclusion of Ultimate Journeys, watch this eleven-episode story.
This is the final major chapter of Ash’s journey as the protagonist of the Pokémon anime.
Rather than ending with another enormous tournament, the story returns to something much closer to the original spirit of Ash’s adventure: traveling, helping Pokémon, meeting old friends, and trying to understand what becoming a Pokémon Master actually means.
After 25 years, Ash’s television journey comes to an end.
Part X: Pokémon Horizons
Pokémon Horizons: The Series
📺 Watch: Pokémon Horizons: The Series
A new era begins.
Ash is no longer the protagonist.
Instead, the series follows Liko and Roy, two young Trainers who become involved with the Rising Volt Tacklers and the mysteries surrounding the ancient Pokémon world.
This is a genuine new beginning for the Pokémon anime rather than another continuation of Ash’s journey.
Pokémon Side Series and Specials
The main television timeline is only part of the Pokémon animated universe.
Several excellent series and specials exist outside the main Ash storyline.
These don’t need to be squeezed between regular episodes. For most viewers, they’re better watched as separate companion series.
Pokémon Chronicles
Pokémon Chronicles is an anthology series that expands the world beyond Ash.
It gives characters such as Misty, Brock, Team Rocket, Richie, and others stories of their own.
Recommended placement: After the original series, or watch individual stories during the relevant eras.
Pokémon Origins
Pokémon Origins retells the story of the original Pokémon games, following Red rather than Ash.
It is not part of the main anime continuity.
Recommended placement: After the original series, as a standalone mini-series.
Pokémon Generations
Pokémon Generations consists of short stories set throughout the Pokémon game universe.
Rather than following one protagonist, it jumps between regions and characters.
Recommended placement: Standalone.
Pokémon Twilight Wings
A collection of short episodes set in the Galar region.
The series focuses on characters and Pokémon outside Ash’s story.
Recommended placement: Watch after reaching the Galar era, or simply as a standalone series.
Pokémon Evolutions
An anthology series inspired by the different Pokémon game regions.
Each episode focuses on a different region and its characters.
Recommended placement: Standalone.
Pokémon: Hisuian Snow
A short series set in the ancient Hisui region, long before the events of the modern Pokémon games.
Recommended placement: Standalone.
Pokémon: Paldean Winds
A short series set in the Paldea region.
It follows a group of students at the Pokémon Academy.
Recommended placement: During the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet era, or as a standalone series.
Pokémon: Path to the Peak
A short series following a Pokémon Trading Card Game player.
It is not part of the main anime continuity.
Recommended placement: Standalone.
Pokémon Concierge
A stop-motion series following Haru, who works at a Pokémon Resort.
This is a very different kind of Pokémon story and does not need to be placed within Ash’s timeline.
Recommended placement: Anytime.
The Complete Main Timeline at a Glance
If you just want the big picture, here’s the roadmap:
- Pokémon: Indigo League
- 🎬 Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
- Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands
- 🎬 Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One
- Pokémon: The Johto Journeys
- 🎬 Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown
- Pokémon: Johto League Champions
- 🎬 Pokémon 4Ever – Celebi: The Voice of the Forest
- Pokémon: Master Quest
- 🎬 Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias
- ⭐ Mewtwo Returns
- Pokémon Advanced
- 🎬 Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker
- Pokémon Advanced Challenge
- 🎬 Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys
- Pokémon Advanced Battle
- 🎬 Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
- Pokémon Battle Frontier
- 🎬 Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
- Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl
- 🎬 The Rise of Darkrai
- Diamond & Pearl: Battle Dimension
- 🎬 Giratina and the Sky Warrior
- Diamond & Pearl: Galactic Battles
- 🎬 Arceus and the Jewel of Life
- Diamond & Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors
- 🎬 Zoroark – Master of Illusions
- Pokémon Black & White
- 🎬 Victini and the Dark Hero: Zekrom / Victini and the Light Hero: Reshiram
- Black & White: Rival Destinies
- 🎬 Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
- Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond
- 🎬 Genesect and the Legend Awakened
- Pokémon the Series: XY
- 🎬 Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
- XY: Kalos Quest
- 🎬 Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
- XYZ
- 🎬 Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
- Sun & Moon
- Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures
- Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends
- Pokémon Journeys
- Pokémon Master Journeys
- Pokémon Ultimate Journeys
- ⭐ Arceus Chronicles
- Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master
- Pokémon Horizons
Alternate Continuity
Watch separately:
- 🎬 Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
- 🎬 Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
- 🎬 Pokémon: Secrets of the Jungle
Standalone Anime
Watch separately whenever you like:
- Pokémon Chronicles
- Pokémon Origins
- Pokémon Generations
- Pokémon Twilight Wings
- Pokémon Evolutions
- Pokémon: Hisuian Snow
- Pokémon: Paldean Winds
- Pokémon: Path to the Peak
- Pokémon Concierge
So, Where Should You Start?
If you’re watching Pokémon for the first time, the answer is delightfully simple:
Start with Season 1, Episode 1: “Pokémon, I Choose You!”
Then work your way through the television series in order, using this guide whenever you reach a movie or special.
And if you’re doing a true episode-by-episode Pokémon rewatch, you don’t need to stop your project every few episodes to consult a 40-page spreadsheet. Just follow the main seasons and use the movie markers as your signposts.
That’s the whole point of this guide: the story stays readable, while the Pokémon cinematic universe gets tucked into the journey where it belongs.
