Pokémon: The Movie 2000 arrived in theaters from Warner Bros. in the summer of 2000, riding the peak of Pokémania as the franchise's second theatrical feature. Promotional trailers for the film circulated widely in advance of release, building anticipation among a fan base still buzzing from the original movie's success the prior year. This was an era when Pokémon dominated playgrounds, television schedules, and toy aisles alike, and a theatrical sequel was treated as a major event, with marketing reels like this one serving as the public's first real look at the new legendary creatures central to the story.
This cell preserves a moment from that trailer footage, centered on Lugia, the legendary Pokémon who anchors the film's plot as guardian of the seas. Lugia's design, scale, and mythic status within the Pokémon universe make it a perennial favorite among collectors of franchise memorabilia, and its appearance here as a battling figure speaks to the character's role as the film's central spectacle. Trailer cells like this one offer a glimpse of how the studio chose to introduce audiences to its headline creature, framing Lugia's presence as the draw meant to pull fans into theaters.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release trailer print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
Four perforations per frame on both edges, consistent with 35mm; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both the top and bottom edges, evenly spaced, rounded-rectangle shape, cleanly punched with no visible tears.
Soundtrack
Two variable-area optical tracks run beside the picture, with Dolby Digital data blocks visible between the lower-edge perforations.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Clear base with a light blue edge tint; the dye image shows saturated purples and reds with no obvious fading.
Projection history
White flecks and dashes across the picture area, with dirt and speckle visible; no splices or cue marks seen at this size.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames run consecutively as one shot, and the lilac-winged bird figure matches the Pokémon film on record.
Era check
Optical tracks plus Dolby Digital blocks fit a 2000-era 35mm release or trailer print, and the animated artwork is consistent with Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
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 000071231
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
