Pokémon: The Movie Trailer arrived in 1999 as part of the marketing push that introduced American audiences to the Pokémon phenomenon on the big screen, ahead of the theatrical release of Pokémon: The First Movie. Produced during the height of the franchise's initial US expansion, these promotional reels were distributed to theaters to build anticipation among a generation discovering the games, cards, and animated series simultaneously. As ephemeral promotional material, surviving 35mm trailer cells from this campaign are scarce, offering a tangible artifact from the exact moment Pokémon crossed into mainstream American cinema.
This cell preserves a grouping of four original Pokémon: Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Vulpix, each a recognizable figure from the franchise's earliest roster. Pikachu remains the series' defining mascot, while Squirtle and Bulbasaur represent two of the three starter Pokémon central to the original games. Vulpix, a less common inclusion in promotional material, adds particular interest for collectors assembling a fuller picture of the trailer's cast. As a piece of trailer footage rather than feature animation, this cell captures the promotional voice of the franchise itself, assembled to showcase familiar characters to newcomers and established fans alike.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm Dolby Digital release print trailer strip of Pokémon: The Movie (1999).
Gauge
35mm: four-perforation frame pitch on both edges, with three nearly identical consecutive frames in the strip.
Perforations
Four perforations per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, rounded-rectangle shape and cleanly punched, with no torn or missing holes seen.
Soundtrack
Two white variable-area optical tracks beside the picture, with a dashed line above them, and speckled Dolby Digital data blocks in the gaps between the lower-edge perforations.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Light blue-tinted base along the edges, with saturated blue, purple and orange dyes in the image and no fading or colour shift seen.
Projection history
No lines, scratches, cue marks or splices seen at this size.
Picture
Positive colour image; three consecutive near-identical frames from one shot, and the characters shown match the Pokémon film on record.
Era check
Optical track plus Dolby Digital blocks on a 35mm positive print fits a late-1990s theatrical release print, as expected for a 1999 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 000070030
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
