10 Best Pokemon Cutscenes, Ranked (2024)

It took Game Freak eight years, a new console generation, and a third version refresh for Pokemon players to enjoy the series' first in-game cutscene. But despite how long it took to get there, the series has enjoyed a vast selection of tightly choreographed cinematics ever since.

These cutscenes are as varied and creative as the Pokemon themselves, and have been so prominent in the Pokemon series' history that some have even been adapted from the games to the series' popular anime. From legendary Pokemon leaping from the pages of myth to highly introspective and existential narratives, the Pokemon series has no shortage of impactful cinematics to showcase.

10 The Sword & Shield Pokemon Emerge

Pokemon Sword & Shield

Compared to other legendaries that appear on the cover of their respective titles, Pokemon Sword and Shield's legendary Pokemon Zacian and Zamazenta play a somewhat integral part in the title's story.

When confronting Eternatus near the end of the games, both the player and their friendly rival Hop wield ancient weapons from the medieval age of Galar. Zacian and Zamazenta are summoned to their defense from their resting place at the Slumbering Weald, in this dynamic cutscene that is a high point in the Switch's first Pokemon titles.

9 N's Castle Ascends From The Rubble

Pokemon Black & White

While gamers enter Pokemon Black and White's Pokemon League in a solid position to become the Unova region's next champion, players will find that the current League leader has already been defeated. In a similar situation as to players were confronted with in Pokemon Red and Blue, Team Plasma inductee N has already beaten the player to the top spot.

N then proceeds to summon his castle, surrounding the Pokemon League. Amongst crackling lightning and thundering darkness, N proclaims himself as the new League Champion.

8 Depiction Of The Kalos Pokemon War

Pokemon X & Y

The Kalos War, as first depicted through a lengthy cutscene in Pokemon X and Y, has been so ingrained in the region's mythos that the Pokemon anime returned to the story through its celebratory Generations anime series.

Retelling the cutscene almost cut-for-cut, the faithful interpretation of the in-game cinematic showcases just how integral it is to the sixth-generation Pokemon titles. Proceeding through a selection of storyboard-esque murals detailing the conflict, and the personal cost of the war, the cutscene also shines a narrative light on side-character AZ.

7 Generation One Start-Up Cinematic

Pokemon Red & Blue

Pokemon Red and Blue's introductory cinematics are so influential that they not only appear in two Pokemon video games, but have been recreated twice in the Pokemon anime.

The cinematic battle between a Gengar and Nidorano initially only plays at the opening of Pokemon Red, with Jigglypuff taking Nidorino's place in Pokemon Blue. The games' Game Boy Advance remakes reimagine the cinematic in 32-bits, while the original 1997 Pokemon anime begins with Ash Ketchup watching the showdown on his television.

6 End Of The 'Delta Episode'

Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were not just eagerly-awaited remakes of the third-generation Pokemon titles. They were also expansions of the Hoenn narrative, formally introducing the concept of multiple Pokemon universes to the franchise's timeline.

After the trainer has bested Deoxys in outer space, the post-game Delta Episode expansion comes to a cinematic close. Venturing throughout the Hoenn region, from the evil team's hideout to your home in Littleroot Town, this outro cutscene introduced so many narrative elements that it was loosely incorporated into the Pokemon Generations anime.

5 Rayquaza Descends From Sky Pillar

Pokemon Emerald

The first two generations of Pokemon titles did take control from the player, having characters walk by themselves and talk to the player without interruption. However, the Game Boy Pokemon titles did not include any cutscenes in the main bulk of the game.

As such, when gamers viewed Rayquaza being summoned to squash the rising apocalyptic tension between Groudon and Kyogre in Pokemon Emerald, players witnessed Game Freak's first in-game cutscene.

4 Giratina Emerges From The Distortion Realm

Pokemon Platinum

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl expanded the Pokemon universe with the inclusion of the 'creation trio' of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. However, while players could quench Team Galactic's plans to control either box legendary, Giratina was relegated to its own fog-laden cave.

As such, when players were attempting to stop Team Galactic's plans in Pokemon Platinum, Giratina was given a shockingly terrorizing cutscene in which to announce its pseudo-demonic self. Culminating in a jump-scare, Cyrus' transportation to the Distortion World by Giratina was so impactful that it was faithfully interpreted in the Pokemon Generations anime series. ​​​​​​​

3 Necrozma Summons The Ultra Beasts

Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

It's not often that the player fails to save the day in a Pokemon title. However, in their confrontation with Necrozma in Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, they are ultimately unable to stop it from summoning all manner of Ultra Beasts across the Alola region.

The cutscene depicts Necrozma's fusion with the respective titles' box legendary Pokemon and its opening of wormholes across the region. All manner of named NPCs the player has interacted with throughout their journey are seen overshadowed by the encroaching Ultra Beast threat.

2 Transition From GBA To 3DS Graphical Style

Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

Arguably the most integral aspect of any video game remake is its clear improvement and influence from the past titles. As such, Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire's opening cutscenes are pivotal to their statement as improved interpretations of the third-generation Pokemon titles.

The cutscene begins with the 32-bit introduction as it appeared on the Game Boy Advance. However, this is then shown to be a pocket handheld wielded by the player character. The doors of their transport open, and the 2D sprites of old are immediately contrasted with the 3D models of the 3DS' newer graphical engine. ​​​​​​​

1 Arceus' Creation Of The Pokemon Universe

Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver

Event Pokemon can be anything from a shiny variant of an uncommon pocket monster, or — in some cases — a literal God that is required to unlock the most impressive cutscene in the entire series' history.

Only visible through cheating, or being in the right place at the right time, players are taken to the Sinjoh Ruins in Pokemon HeartGold or SoulSilver. Arceus then takes the player on a crescendoing journey through time and space, showing real-life images of the human and natural world before gifting them a legendary Pokemon.