Pokémon: The Movie Trailer arrived in 1999 as Warner Bros. and Nintendo's promotional push ahead of the franchise's first theatrical feature, riding the wave of Pokémania that swept through American pop culture that year. Trailers of this kind were cut to tease the spectacle of Mewtwo Strikes Back while folding in imagery meant to stoke anticipation among fans flooding theaters and toy aisles alike. These promotional strips are scarce survivors, often overshadowed by the feature film reels themselves, which makes early trailer material a niche but meaningful target for collectors tracing the franchise's theatrical debut.
This cell centers on Venusaur Clone, pairing two figures whose presence together signals the trailer's promise of a roster far beyond the familiar starter lineup. Venusaur, the fully evolved form of Bulbasaur, remains a cornerstone creature for longtime collectors, while Rayquaza's inclusion points to the era's broader ambitions for legendary creatures within the brand. A clone variant adds a layer of narrative intrigue tied to the film's premise, giving this frame a specific place in the promotional story Warner Bros. was building for audiences in 1999.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release print of the Pokémon: The Movie trailer (1999).
Gauge
Four perforations per frame along both edges, which fits 35mm; the strip holds three complete frames in a single row.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, all rounded-rectangle holes, evenly spaced and cleanly punched, with the lower-edge holes sitting in the gaps of the data pattern.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track runs beside the picture as two tracks, with a dashed line above them; Dolby Digital data blocks sit between the lower-edge perforations.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Pale blue tint on the outer edge margins; the dye image looks neutral to cool green-blue with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
No scratches, cue marks or splices seen at this size; the frames and track look clean.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames run consecutively as one shot with only slight change between them, and the animated style fits the Pokémon film on record.
Era check
Dolby Digital blocks between the perforations plus a two-track optical track fit a late-1990s 35mm release print, so this is consistent with a 1999 Pokémon 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 000069949
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
