Pokémon: The Movie 2000 arrived in theaters courtesy of Warner Bros. and Nintendo's licensing partners, riding the massive wave of Pokémania that swept through the late 1990s and into the new millennium. As the second theatrical feature following the franchise's explosive television debut, it cemented Pokémon's place as a cultural phenomenon rather than a passing fad. Promotional trailers for the film circulated widely, building anticipation among a young fanbase eager to see their favorite characters on the big screen in an expanded adventure beyond weekly episodes.
This cell preserves a trailer moment featuring Misty, one of the original series' most recognizable companions and a favorite among collectors for her long-running presence in Ash's journey. Melody, introduced specifically for this film, represents the movie's own contribution to the cast, making her pairing with Misty notable as a crossover between television regulars and feature-exclusive characters. Togepi's inclusion ties the scene to Misty's established role as the small creature's caretaker. As a trailer cell, this piece captures the marketing apparatus built to draw audiences into the film's theatrical run.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release print trailer strip of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
35mm: four perforations span each frame along both edges, and the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, rounded-rectangle shaped and cleanly punched, with no torn or missing perforations seen.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track runs beside the picture as two parallel tracks, and Dolby Digital data blocks sit 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 a neutral-to-slightly-purple dye image and no obvious fading seen.
Projection history
None seen at this size; the only mark is a round reflection on one frame, which is the camera on the glossy base.
Picture
Positive colour image; the three frames run consecutively as one near-static shot, and the animated style is consistent with the Pokémon film on record.
Era check
Consistent with a 2000-era release print, since a two-channel optical track with Dolby Digital blocks between the perforations matches theatrical prints of that period.
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 000071229
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
