Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in American theaters in November 1999, following the franchise's explosive television debut and the Pokémon trading card craze that gripped a generation. Distributed by Warner Bros. with Nintendo and Pikachu Project backing, the film adapted and expanded on Japanese source material, introducing Mewtwo's origin story alongside a wraparound short, Pikachu's Vacation. Promotional trailers preceded the film's release, stoking anticipation among young audiences and collectors alike, cementing the brand's crossover from screen to toy aisle to multiplex.
This cell preserves a moment from that early promotional reel, centered on Mew, the rare and elusive Pokémon whose mythical status made it a prized subject for fans from the start. As the genetic basis for Mewtwo, Mew carries narrative weight beyond its brief screen time, representing the natural counterpart to the film's engineered antagonist. A trailer cell like this one captures Pokémon mid-action, here dodging an attack, a scene built for momentum and intrigue meant to pull audiences toward theaters. For collectors, Mew's appearances remain scarce and sought after.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release print of the Pokémon: The Movie trailer (1999).
Gauge
35mm layout, with four perforations spanning each frame along both edges; the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, rounded-corner rectangular holes, evenly spaced and cleanly punched, with no visible tearing or distortion.
Soundtrack
A two-track variable-area optical soundtrack runs between the picture and the lower perforations; the lower edge also shows speckled blocks between the perforations, consistent with Dolby Digital data.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Clear to slightly cool base, with a neutral-to-blue dye image and no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
A few tiny white specks and nicks on the picture area, consistent with light handling or projection; no splices or cue marks seen.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames are consecutive and show one continuous shot, with the same pale character and storm-cloud backdrop matching Pokémon animation.
Era check
Consistent with a late-1990s release print, as the analog optical track plus Dolby Digital data blocks on a clear base fit that era's theatrical prints.
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 000070122
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
