Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! feels like a love letter to the very first spark of the franchise: that prickly, reluctant Pikachu and the kid stubborn enough to earn its trust. It takes the familiar beginning and polishes it into a focused, big-screen adventure—bright, earnest, and surprisingly emotional—where the battles have real momentum and the quieter moments land with the kind of sincerity that made people fall in love with Pokémon in the first place. The tone is classic Saturday-morning wonder with a cinematic sweep, drifting into darker, more intense fantasy beats now and then, but always anchored by the simple thrill of setting out on a journey. If you’re not moved by nostalgia or you prefer your animation more ironic, it may not convert you—but if you’ve ever cared about Ash and Pikachu even a little, this one earns your time.

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! is clearly aiming to be a heartfelt, anniversary-style remix of Ash and Pikachu’s origin story, built to trigger nostalgia and remind you why this duo works. When it leans into their bond and the sense of adventure, it’s genuinely sweet and easy to watch, with solid animation and a family-friendly tone. But if you’re not already invested in Pokémon, it can feel like a greatest-hits sprint that assumes you’ll care on sight, and the new travel companions are more functional than memorable. It also makes a few big, emotional swings that longtime fans may find stirring but others might find abrupt or oddly heavy, so if you want deeper character work or a standalone fantasy adventure, this probably won’t hit the mark.