Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back is a 1998 Japanese anime film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, the chief director of the Pokémon television series. It is the first theatrical release in the Pokémon franchise. It was first released in Japan on July 18, 1998. On July 8, 1999, a Complete Version of the film aired on Japanese television. In addition to an added prologue, the updated version included new animation and CGI graphics. The English-language adaptation, produced by Nintendo and 4Kids Entertainment and licensed by Warner Bros. Pictures, was released in North America on November 10, 1999. The events of the film take place during the first season of Pokémon: Indigo League. The film primarily consists of three segments: Pikachu's Vacation, a 21-minute feature focusing on the series mascot Pikachu; Origin of Mewtwo, the 10-minute prologue added to the Complete Version of the film; and Mewtwo Strikes Back, the main 75-minute film feature.
Director | Kunihiko Yuyama |
Produced by | Choji Yoshikawa, Tomoyuki Igarashi, Takemoto Mori |
Screenplay by | Takeshi Shudo |
Starring | see below |
Music | Shinji Miyazaki, Hirokazu Tanaka |
Cinematography | Hisao Shirai |
Edited by | Toshio Henmi, Yutaka Itō |
Production, company | OLM, Inc, Nintendo, 4Kids Entertainment, Kids WB! |
Distributed by | Toho, Warner Bros. Pictures |
Released | July 18, 1998 (Japan) |
Running time | 75 minutes |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Budget | ¥ 350 million (US$ 5 million) |
Box office | US$ 172.7 million |
Netflix ID | 60001345 |
About Pokémon: The First Movie
Best friends Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu go head-to-head with a bioengineered super-Pokémon called Mewtwo. The film was directed by Kunihiko Yuyama who also helmed the Pokémon television series.
Achievement of Pokémon: The First Movie
Upon release of the film Burger King released a limited series of toys with the purchase of any kids' meal.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About Pokémon: The First Movie
Films directed by Kunihiko Yuyama.. Japanese fantasy adventure films.. Pokémon films.. Films about cloning.. Fantasy comedy films.. Films set on fictional islands.. 1990s adventure films.. Toho animated films.
Latest information about Pokémon: The First Movie updated on July 30 2021.