Pokémon: The Movie 2000 arrived as Warner Bros. and Nintendo capitalized on the franchise's explosive American breakthrough, following the original film's success with a second theatrical outing built around the Legendary Birds and Lugia. Promotional trailers for the picture circulated widely in early 2000, feeding a fanbase still riding the crest of Pokémania, and 35mm trailer material from this release is scarce next to the abundance of merchandise the franchise otherwise produced.
This piece marks a trailer moment, part of the promotional reel meant to draw audiences into theaters ahead of the feature. Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, the franchise's central duo, appear here in the company of Lugia, the film's mythical guardian, in a scene built for spectacle and wonder. For collectors, Ash and Pikachu together remain the most sought pairing in Pokémon memorabilia, and their association with Lugia ties this cell directly to one of the series' most iconic legendary creatures and its promotional legacy.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm positive release print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000 Trailer
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds two frames
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with no torn or deformed holes visible
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly cool; dye image shows strong, saturated colour with no visible fading or red shift
Projection history
No scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are visible in this capture
Picture
Positive colour image; both frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot and depict animated content consistent with Pokémon: The Movie 2000
Era check
A variable-area optical track alongside a saturated positive colour image on what appears to be a neutral safety base is consistent with a 35mm theatrical release or trailer print from the year 2000
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
