Pokémon: The Movie 2000 hit American theaters in July 2000, riding the height of Pokémania as the franchise's second theatrical feature and a crucial test of whether the phenomenon could sustain a box office run beyond its television roots. Distributed by Warner Bros. and dubbed for Western audiences, it followed the original 1998 film's success and introduced Lugia, one of the series' most sought-after legendary creatures, to a generation of young collectors. The theatrical trailer campaign was itself a cultural event, teasing footage months ahead of release and fueling anticipation among fans eager for any glimpse of the new legendary Pokémon in motion.
This trailer cell captures Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, the franchise's central duo, sharing a ride atop Lugia, a pairing that promises the film's signature blend of adventure and spectacle. Collectors prize Ash and Pikachu material for its immediate recognizability and its role as the emotional anchor of the series. A promotional trailer cell like this one served to preview the film's ambition, offering audiences a taste of the story's scale before the feature's release, making it a piece of the marketing history surrounding one of Pokémon's defining early films.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds four complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges look clean with no torn or missing perforations visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along the lower edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single-track analog optical stripe.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers, manufacturer text, or SAFETY FILM legend.
Base & colour
The base shows a neutral-to-slightly-warm tint; the dye image appears fully saturated with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks, or prominent scratches are visible; the surface appears consistent with a projected release print showing light use.
Picture
Positive color image; all four frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, and the animated characters are consistent with the Pokémon franchise as recorded for this title.
Era check
The single variable-area analog optical soundtrack, fully saturated color dye image, and 35mm four-perforation layout are all consistent with a theatrical release print from around 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
