For many generations of fans, Pokémon is more than just an animated series, it’s a cherished part of childhood. Every year, Pokémon movies were highly anticipated events, delivering epic adventures and introducing legendary Pokémon. However, this tradition came to an unexpected halt after 2020.
It’s now been five years without a new Pokémon movie. Could this be a major misstep for the franchise that still hasn’t been fixed?
Why hasn’t there been a new Pokémon movie in half a decade?
There are a few reasons behind this. First, as the Pokémon anime’s popularity declined, the box office performance of its movies also dropped. The 2016 film, Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, performed poorly. Although Pokémon: I Choose You and its sequels did better, it still wasn’t enough to encourage the studio to keep investing.
Another factor is a shift in the anime’s focus. After 2020, the series concentrated fully on the TV show, especially during Ash Ketchum’s farewell arc. Focusing solely on the television series was a strategic choice to avoid risking quality by splitting time and resources between movies and the show.
Could we be seeing the end of Pokémon movies?
While there’s no official reason preventing new Pokémon movies, the chances seem slim. By 2017, the franchise struggled to maintain its classic formula amid launching new storylines and a lackluster CGI remake of Pokémon: The First Movie. This trend doesn’t look likely to reverse anytime soon.
Another challenge is the difference between Pokémon Horizons and the original anime. Horizons offers a more linear and cohesive story, leaving less room for standalone movies outside the main plot. As long as Horizons remains the current series, movies probably won’t be a priority.
All of this is, of course, unfortunate. From increasingly dynamic action scenes to compelling stories and polished visuals, Pokémon movies have always added significant value to the franchise, both visually and narratively. So if no new Pokémon movies ever come again, it would be a major loss for the brand.