Pokémon: The Movie Trailer (1999) arrived in theaters ahead of Pokémon: The First Movie, part of Warner Bros.' push to bring the Pokémon phenomenon from television and trading cards onto the big screen. The franchise, born from Nintendo's video games, had become a cultural juggernaut by decade's end, and trailers like this one served as the first taste of feature-length animation for a generation of young fans. These promotional reels circulated widely in multiplexes, making surviving 35mm fragments a scarce physical link to that theatrical rollout.
This cell centers on Pikachu, the franchise's defining mascot and the character most responsible for its crossover success. The moment named here, Pikachu jumping, speaks to the character's trademark energy, the kind of lively physical action trailers relied on to signal excitement and movement to audiences sizing up a new release. As a trailer cell, this piece comes from promotional rather than narrative footage, material built specifically to entice ticket buyers. For collectors, a Pikachu-centered frame from this early trailer run holds particular appeal as a marker of the character's introduction to theatrical audiences.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release print of the Pokémon: The Movie (1999) trailer.
Gauge
35mm: four perforations per frame along both edges, and the strip holds three full frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, rounded-rectangle holes, evenly spaced and cleanly punched, with no torn or missing perforations seen.
Soundtrack
Two variable-area optical tracks run beside the picture, with Dolby Digital data blocks visible in the gaps between the lower-edge perforations.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Pale blue-cyan base tint on the edges, with a clear blue sky dye image that looks saturated and unfaded.
Projection history
A few small specks and fine marks on the third frame; no splices, cue marks or long scratches seen at this size.
Picture
Positive image, three consecutive frames of one shot, and the cartoon style is consistent with the Pokémon film on record.
Era check
Analog stereo optical track plus Dolby Digital blocks on a clean-based print is consistent with a 1999 theatrical release print or trailer.
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 in partnership with National Film Vault, 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.
CROWN SERIAL 000069923
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
