Pokémon: The First Movie reached American theaters in November 1999 through Warner Bros., distributing 4Kids Entertainment's adaptation of the Japanese feature Mewtwo Strikes Back. It arrived at the peak of Pokémania, when the franchise dominated playgrounds, trading card aisles, and Saturday morning television alike. For many young audiences this was their first theatrical experience, and the film's enormous box office take cemented Pokémon as a lasting cultural force rather than a passing fad. Promotional material from this release, including trailer reels distributed to theaters, captured a moment when the brand's reach was expanding well beyond the games and show that started it.
This cell carries the promotional web address that tied the theatrical campaign to its online presence, a detail that places it squarely within the marketing push surrounding the release. Pikachu, the franchise's central mascot, anchors the frame, as the character's presence alone served as shorthand for the entire Pokémon brand in any advertisement. Trailer cells like this one were built to draw audiences in before the feature itself, functioning as a bridge between the television series fans already knew and the larger theatrical event being sold to them.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release-print trailer for Pokémon: The Movie (1999).
Gauge
35mm: four perforations per frame along both edges, and the strip holds three full frames, each carrying the same yellow web address.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, rounded-rectangle holes, evenly spaced and cleanly punched, with no torn or missing perforations visible.
Soundtrack
Two variable-area optical tracks run beside the picture, and square Dolby Digital data blocks sit in the gaps between the lower perforations, with a dashed line along the track edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Clear base with a light blue tint at the edges; the yellow and blue dye image looks saturated and not faded.
Projection history
None seen at this size; no scratches, cue marks or splices appear in these three frames.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames repeat one static card, yellow text 'www.pokemonthemovie.com' over trading cards on black, which matches the Pokémon movie on record.
Era check
Consistent with a late-1990s release print: analog optical tracks with Dolby Digital data blocks suit 1999, and the web address fits a Pokémon: The Movie 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 000070148
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
