Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- playful
- uplifting
- earnest
- family movie night
- nostalgic anime viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the film emotionally stronger than some franchise entries but too dependent on existing Pokémon familiarity and weakened by underdeveloped supporting characters.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film revisits Ash and Pikachu's initial journey while reshaping familiar early-series material in an alternate-universe continuity.
Ash and Pikachu begin with mutual resistance but form the central partnership through travel, battles, and hardship.
The story travels across the Kanto region and uses Pokémon battles and fantasy creatures as its primary visual and action language.
The film repurposes stories and references associated with the original Pokémon era for longtime fans.
Films like Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, and why
Digimon: The Movie
shared animated adventure structure, child hero, creature partnerships, and coming-of-age journey
The Secret World of Arrietty
shared family-oriented anime adventure, fantasy creatures, friendship themes, and franchise nostalgia
My Neighbor Totoro
shared colorful animated quest, youthful protagonists, magical creatures, and emotionally direct storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- Kunihiko Yuyama
- Release Date
- 2017-07-15
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (695)
Cast
- Rica Matsumoto
- Ikue Otani
- Megumi Hayashibara
- Shin-ichiro Miki
- Inuko Inuyama
- Unsho Ishizuka
- Masami Toyoshima
- Shoko Nakagawa
- Kanata Hongo
- Shiori Sato
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 Movie: I Choose You! about?
- A determined young trainer and his initially reluctant Pikachu discover that friendship is the real foundation of a Pokémon adventure.
- What is Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! as mild.
- What did critics think of Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!?
- Critics generally found the film emotionally stronger than some franchise entries but too dependent on existing Pokémon familiarity and weakened by underdeveloped supporting characters.
- Which films are like Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!?
- Films with a similar feel include Digimon: The Movie, The Secret World of Arrietty, and My Neighbor Totoro.
- How long is Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!?
- Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!?
- In United States, Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
In Ember's collections
Movies like Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
- Pokémon Heroes2002
- Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior2008
- Stand by Me Doraemon2014
- Pokémon Detective Pikachu2019
- Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna2020
- My Hero Academia: Two Heroes2018
- Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew2005
- Pokémon: The First Movie1998
- Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution2019
- Pokémon: Zoroark - Master of Illusions2010
