The Pokémon series depicts the adventures of Ash Ketchum, a young trainer who sets out on a journey to become a Pokémon Master. What’s interesting about the Pokémon series is that it introduces a new world full of magical creatures that children can explore along with Ash.
The series first aired in 1997, and since then there have been many different Pokémon game releases, anime seasons, and movies. With so much content, it can be hard to know where to start when watching the Pokémon series.
The best order to watch the Pokémon series
One option is to watch the series in chronological order. This means starting with the earliest release and working your way up to the most recent release. This is a great option for those who want to watch the series in the order that events occur.
Here’s how you can watch the Pokémon series in chronological order:
- Season 1: Indigo League (1997-1999)
- Season 2: Adventures on the Orange Islands (1999)
- Season 3: The Johto Journeys (1999-2000)
- Season 4: Johto League Champions (2000-2001)
- Season 5: Master Quest (2001-2002)
- Season 6: Advanced (2002-2003)
- Season 7: Advanced Challenge (2003-2004)
- Season 8: Advanced Battle (2004-2005)
- Season 9: Battle Frontier (2005-2006)
- Season 10: Diamond and Pearl (2006-2007)
- Season 11: Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension (2007-2008)
- Season 12: Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles (2008-2009)
- Season 13: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors (2010)
- Season 14: Black & White (2010-2011)
- Season 15: Black & White: Rival Destinies (2011-2012)
- Season 16: Black & White: Adventures in Unova
- Part I: Black & White: Adventures in Unova (2012-2013)
- Part II: Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond (2013)
- Season 17: XY (2013-2014)
- Season 18: XY: Kalos Quest (2014-2015)
- Season 19: XYZ (2015-2016)
- Season 20: Sun & Moon (2016-2017)
- Season 21: Sun & Moon – Ultra Adventures (2017-2018)
- Season 22: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends (2018-2019)
- Season 23: Journeys (2019-2020)
- Season 24: Master Journeys (2020-2021)
- Season 25: Ultimate Journeys (2021-2022)
Pokémon movies to watch along with the series
Some movies also fall between the seasons and provide a little more context for what’s going on in the series.
Between season five and season six
- Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)
- Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)
- Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution (2019)
- Pokémon the Movie 2000 (1999)
- Pokémon 3 the Movie: Spell of the Unown (2000)
- Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us (2018)
- Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest (2001)
- Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias (2002)
- Mewtwo Returns (special) (2000)
- Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon (special) (2006)
Between season nine and 10
- Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker (2003)
- Pokémon the Movie: Destiny Deoxys (2004)
- Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005)
- Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006)
Between season 13 and 14
- Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai (2007)
- Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)
- Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009)
- Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions (2010)
Between season 16 and 17
- Pokémon the Movie: White – Victini and Zekrom (2011)
- Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram (2011)
- Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice (2012)
- Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013)
Between season 17 and 18
- XY Specials (Mega Evolution specials) (2014)
Between season 19 and 20
- Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (2014)
- Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (2015)
- Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (2016)
Between season 22 and 23
Watch the Pokémon series in this order to get the full story and enjoy the world of Pokémon like never before! Witness how Ash, Misty, and Brock become friends and grow to be the best trainers they can be.
