How to watch Pokémon in order: All the TV series, movies and specials

Ash’s adventures may be over but the series is a long way off from wrapping.

By Christopher Megrath

Published: Tuesday, 27 February 2024 at 12:15 PM

As Pokémon Day 2024 hits, fans are excited for the next chapter of the wildly popular franchise.

It’s been a huge year for Pokémon after Ash Ketchum departed the series after 25 years as the Champion of the Pokémon League.

His day-one goal was finally achieved, which coincidentally aligned with his farewell as the show’s main protagonist. It didn’t spell the end of the series though – far from it, actually.

The Pokémon franchise welcomed two new protagonists ready to go on their own adventures. So, as the world celebrates one of the biggest franchises of all time, it’s well worth your time to go back and see just how we got here.

A bit daunted? We’ve got you covered. Here’s how to watch Pokémon in order.

How to watch Pokémon in release order

Pokémon’s timeline runs parallel to its release order. With every new instalment in the series comes a new anime for fans to enjoy.

It’s never once strayed from that format except for the introduction of some specials and ONAs. If you want to watch from the very beginning, start here:

How to watch the Pokémon movies in order

Dialga from Pokémon the Movie: The Rise of Darkrai.
Dialga from Pokémon the Movie: The Rise of Darkrai.
The Pokémon Company

Pokémon boasts quite a lot for viewers to enjoy in terms of feature length films. They shine an individual spotlight on the most recent legendary with some mythical Pokémon even appearing in the background.

Your watch order is:

  • Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
  • Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
  • Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution
  • Pokémon the Movie 2000
  • Pokémon 3 the Movie: Spell of the Unown
  • Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
  • Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest
  • Pokémon Heroes
  • Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker
  • Pokémon the Movie: Destiny Deoxys
  • Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
  • Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
  • Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai
  • Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior
  • Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life
  • Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions
  • Pokémon the Movie: White – Victini and Zekrom
  • Pokémon the Movie: Black-Victini and Reshiram
  • Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
  • Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened
  • Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
  • Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
  • Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
  • Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

What order should I watch the Pokémon ONA?

Meowth, the iconic cat Pokémon, wraps up Pikachu.
Meowth and Pikachu.
The Pokémon Company

The specials are unique in the sense they’re standalone instalments that separate themselves entirely from Ash’s story. Some go back and touch on the video game protagonist’s journey to becoming the best, whereas others visualise key moments from the franchise in a new light.

The canon watch order the events take place in is:

  • Pokémon Generation
  • Pokémon: Twilight Wings
  • Pokémon Legends
  • Pokémon: The Hallowed God, Arceus/ Pokemon: Arceus Chronicles
  • Pokémon: Hisuian Snow

Though there is a timeline to follow, you could jump right into the ONA first without ever watching a single episode of the mainline series.

What order should I watch the Pokémon specials?

Hazorus.
Hazorus.
The Pokémon Company

The specials differentiate themselves by their run time and content. It doesn’t really matter where or when you decide to jump in. The specials act as filler of their own in the sense they’re even less important to the mainline story and typically focus on one Pokémon.

The chronological watch order is:

  • Pikachu Shorts (1998 – 2015)
  • Mewtwo Returns
  • Pokémon Chronicles
  • Pokémon Sunday
  • Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon
  • Pokemon Origins
  • XY Specials
  • Pokémon: Arceus Chronicles
  • Detective Pikachu

Where can I watch Pokémon?

The problem with the Pokémon TV series, movies and extras is that they are scattered across the internet, so you’re going to have to jump between a few different services if you want to watch ’em all.

Here are the places you can watch Pokémon in the UK: