The Pokémon series has grown to become one of the most popular and successful franchises of all time. The Pokémon series initially found acclaim in the world of video games, but over time Pokémon has been able to penetrate other areas of entertainment, whether it’s anime, manga, or even live-action feature films. Animated Pokémon features have become a regular occurrence and they’re usually a good opportunity to show off the newest rare and powerful Pokémon from the series.
Pokémon movies have become a common place for Ash and company to encounter dangerous Legendary Pokémon. Many of these special creatures have been featured, but some have left more of an impact than others.
10 Latios & Latias Are Psychic Powerhouses That Keep The World At Peace
Many Legendary Pokémon come in pairs, and Latios and Latias are a good example of two complimentary Legendaries that work together rather than act as opposing forces. The two are Dragon- and Psychic-Type Pokémon from Generation III that are the focus of Pokémon Heroes, the fifth Pokémon movie.
Latios and Latias are powerful, but they use their abilities to heal the world and hide away from the public. It’s one of the better examples of how the Legendary Pokémon in movies are often responsible for keeping the Earth in balance.
9 Darkrai’s Power Transcends Time & Space
Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai is the tenth Pokémon movie and it's one of the stronger features. There's a real sense of danger in this movie as Ash and company get involved in Palkia and Dialga's feud over space and time.
Palkia and Dialga are two of the most powerful Pokémon that have been encountered up to this point, but their combined efforts still aren't enough to take down Darkrai, who threatens the entire world. Darkrai is the deadliest Legendary Pokémon from Generation IV’s Sinnoh region. It puts the entire world and all of the Pokémon in it at risk.
8 Zekrom & Reshiram Extinguish The Waste From The World
The Pokémon movies that represent the Black & White era of games put some especially extravagant Pokémon on display. At this point, Ash and friends have faced some of the rarest creatures and prevented massive destruction, but Reshiram and Zekrom are a pair of judgmental Legendary Pokémon that should not be tested.
Many Legendary Pokémon represent different binaries, but these two correspond to truth and ideals and are trouble for individuals that are unjust. Both of these are Dragon-Type Pokémon with disastrous power, and Reshiram’s Fire-Type abilities are so immense that they can alter the world’s weather. These two are incredible.
7 Kyurem Comes From Space To Rule The World
Reshiram and Zekrom are highly frightening Pokémon, but Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice is much more a showcase for the danger that is Kyurem. Kyurem looms over the other two Legendary Pokémon, and although its specialty is Ice-Type attacks, it’s much more than that.
Kyurem is so impressive that it can revert them to Light and Dark Stones and take their energy for itself. Kyurem is especially fascinating because it comes from a comet and isn't even terrestrial in nature. Ash and other trainers are preoccupied with containing this threat, but there’s also a mysterious history to this Pokémon.
6 Jirachi Exists To Fulfill The Happiness Of Others
Pokémon: Jirachi - Wish Maker is the sixth Pokémon movie and it's when the series really starts to experiment with the Legendary Pokémon that come from other planets and dimensions. The Pokémon movies tend to prioritize the dangerous Legendary Pokémon from the latest generation, since they make compelling opponents, but Jirachi is a much more empathetic and peaceful creature.
Jirachi comes around every 1,000 years and is able to grant a wish for a week. It’s a Steel- and Psychic-Type Pokémon that’s all about giving back to others, which isn’t the case with most Pokémon.
5 Deoxys Is A Mysterious Creature That’s Designed To Adapt
As the Pokémon series goes on, the Legendary Pokémon become more elaborate and veer towards things like machines, aliens, and forces of nature rather than elemental creatures. The seventh Pokémon movie, Destiny Deoxys, still pulls from Generation III Pokémon, but it highlights how Deoxys is a highly versatile and unusual Pokémon.
This extraterrestrial creature can shift between four different forms, all of which cater towards different areas of battle. Destiny Deoxys also makes a big deal out of the rampaging Legendary Rayquaza, but Deoxys is the more interesting and powerful Pokémon in the end.
4 Volcanion’s Volatile Mix Is Built For Mayhem
The Pokémon franchise begins with its creatures drawing inspiration from many real animals, but some of the most interesting Legendary Pokémon are ones of the mechanical nature. Pokémon The Movie: Volcanion And The Mechanical Marvel is the 19th Pokémon movie, and Volcanion is such an exciting creature because it's the rare mix of a Fire and Water-Type Pokémon, not to mention a sleek machine-like exterior.
Volcanion is a Pokémon that's so strong that he can easily alter the terrain of the world through basic attacks, but it's the taming of this Legendary beast that makes it such a fun addition.
3 Genesect Is A Pokemon That’s As Scary As It Is Strong
Pokémon The Movie: Genesect And The Legend Awakened is the closest that the Pokémon series gets to a dystopian science fiction thriller. The 16th Pokémon movie looks at Genesect, a Bug- and Steel-Type Generation V Pokémon that's the ultimate predator and killing machine from its time period millions of years ago.
Team Plasma revives Genesect and gives the dangerous Pokémon an unnecessary power boost. It's an amazing example of the darker nature of some of these Legendary Pokémon. Genesect is also one of the few Pokémon that would make the Terminator flinch, which is saying something.
2 Mewtwo Is The Product Of Man’s Hubris Run Amok
Mewtwo and Mew are the centerpieces around the very first Pokémon movie and it makes sense since they’re the apex Pokémon from the original Red and Blue titles. Mewtwo is a highly dangerous Psychic-Type Pokémon, but he represents a cautionary tale about the dangers of mankind’s tendency to mess with nature.
Mewtwo is the result of scientific experiments and tampering, which makes his disdain towards both humans and Pokémon understandable, but not any less threatening. He forces Pokémon to act against their will, but at the same time it’s easy to empathize with this tortured creature.
1 Arceus Is The Equivalent Of Pokemon’s Grand Creator
The 12th Pokémon movie, Pokémon: Arceus And The Jewel Of Life, explains the origins of the most powerful Legendary Pokémon ever, Arceus. Arceus is another Pokémon whose roots go back thousands of years, but his major purpose boils down to a very human conflict.
Arceus is so important that he’s responsible for the creation of many of the other important groups of Legendary Pokémon. Additionally, Arceus has the power to keep any Pokémon at bay or literally turn into any other creature from the Pokédex. It's a Pokémon that's truly impressive on every level.