Pokémon 3: The Movie arrived in American theaters in 2001 through Warner Bros., distributed on behalf of 4Kids Entertainment and the Pokémon Company, following the franchise's rapid ascent from television phenomenon to theatrical mainstay. It was the third feature pulled from the Pokémon universe in as many years, released at the height of the franchise's merchandising and cultural saturation, when trailers for these films circulated widely ahead of showtime to a young, devoted audience. This promotional reel is a product of that marketing machine, made to stir anticipation rather than to advance the story itself.
This cell pairs Ash Ketchum with Charizard, the pairing at the emotional core of the franchise's early mythology. Charizard remains among the most sought after Pokémon by collectors, prized for its rarity within the games and its visibility as a flagship creature on screen. A trailer cell such as this exists to tease rather than narrate, offering a glimpse meant to draw audiences into the feature without revealing its plot. The pairing of trainer and dragon together signals the bond central to the series' appeal.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm Dolby Digital release print of the Pokémon 3: The Movie trailer (2001).
Gauge
35mm: four perforations per frame along both edges, and the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four perforations per frame on both edges, evenly spaced and cleanly punched, with rounded-rectangle holes and no tears or missing sprockets.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track with two tracks runs beside the picture, and Dolby Digital data blocks sit in the gaps between the perforations on the sound edge.
Edge print
Only a small mirrored code reading "00-OD" beside a purple dot at the lower edge; no manufacturer text or key numbers are legible.
Base & colour
Pale blue-green tinted base, with a neutral, saturated dye image that shows no fading or red 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-identical shot, and the animated Pokémon artwork is consistent with the film on record.
Era check
Dual optical tracks plus Dolby Digital blocks on a blue-tinted base fit a 2001 release print, so the film on record is plausible.
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 000071122
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
