Pokémon 3: The Movie arrived in 2001 courtesy of Warner Bros. and 4Kids Entertainment, the third theatrical outing built on the franchise's early, unstoppable momentum. Promotional material circulated widely in this period, with trailer reels distributed to theaters as part of the marketing push ahead of release. These strips captured the franchise at its commercial peak, when Pokémon dominated toy aisles, television, and the box office alike, making surviving trailer material a tangible record of that promotional machine.
This cell comes from that trailer reel and names Phanpy Attacking as its moment. Phanpy, the small Ground type elephant Pokémon, was a popular addition to the growing roster and a favorite among younger collectors drawn to its approachable design. An attacking pose signals action framing meant to entice ticket buyers, a glimpse chosen specifically to showcase energy and movement within the film's promotional cut. Trailer cells like this one hold appeal distinct from feature frames, preserving a piece of how the movie was sold rather than how it ultimately played on screen.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm Dolby Digital release-print trailer for Pokémon 3: The Movie (2001).
Gauge
35mm: four perforations per frame along both edges, and the strip holds three full frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced and cleanly punched with rounded-rectangle holes and no visible tears or missing teeth.
Soundtrack
A two-track variable-area optical track runs beside the picture, with Dolby Digital data blocks visible in the gaps between the lower-edge perforations.
Edge print
A small mirrored code reading "00-0D" beside a purple marker appears at the lower edge; no manufacturer name or "SAFETY FILM" text is legible.
Base & colour
The base shows a pale cyan-blue edge tint with neutral clear film between frames; the dye image looks saturated, with no visible fading or colour shift.
Projection history
None seen at this size; no scratches, splices or cue marks are visible across the three frames.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames run consecutively as one near-static shot, and the animated style is plausible for the Pokémon 3 trailer on record.
Era check
Dolby Digital blocks beside a two-track optical track on a cyan-edged 35mm print are consistent with a 2001 release-print 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 000071105
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
