Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- epic
- tense
- family movie night
- anime marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film absorbing and visually impressive, praising its accessible teamwork message and spectacle while noting uneven integration between CGI environments and simpler character animation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dialga and Palkia are presented as godlike Pokémon whose confrontation distorts space and time.
Darkrai arrives with a deadly reputation but becomes central to the film's message of empathy and non-villainous conflict.
Critics specifically highlighted the frequent CGI energy attacks, distorted space-time effects, and elaborate architecture.
Ash and his friends reach an idyllic village just as prophecy, nightmares, and legendary Pokémon battle disrupt its apparent peace.
Films like Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai, and why
Pokémon: The First Movie
animated fantasy adventure with child heroes, collectible creatures, teamwork, and spectacular supernatural battles
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
family-friendly anime adventure combining Pokémon mythology, emotional misunderstandings, and large-scale creature combat
Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life
colorful fantasy anime centered on legendary beings, interdimensional danger, and a misunderstood creature
Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna
anime fantasy adventure with young protagonists confronting godlike creatures and reality-threatening conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Kunihiko Yuyama
- Release Date
- 2007-07-14
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (326)
Cast
- Rica Matsumoto
- Ikue Otani
- Yuji Ueda
- Megumi Toyoguchi
- Megumi Hayashibara
- Ryuji Akiyama
- Kiyotaka Furushima
- Inuko Inuyama
- Koji Ishizaka
- Unsho Ishizuka
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai about?
- Ash, Dawn, and their Pokémon confront a space-time crisis when two legendary beings clash and a feared outsider is blamed for the turmoil.
- What is Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai as mild.
- What did critics think of Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai?
- Critics broadly found the film absorbing and visually impressive, praising its accessible teamwork message and spectacle while noting uneven integration between CGI environments and simpler character animation.
- Which films are like Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai?
- Films with a similar feel include Pokémon: The First Movie, Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life, and Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna.
- How long is Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai?
- Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai?
- In United States, Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai
- Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle2020
- Pokémon Heroes2002
- Pokémon the Movie 20001999
- Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution2019
- Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!2017
- Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time2001
- Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning2023
- Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior2008
- Inuyasha the Movie 2: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass2002
- Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life
