Legendary Pokémon are the focus of every major film in the franchise, as they are considered some of the most powerful Pokémon in the universe. The Pokémon films are usually made specifically to promote the latest games in the series, as well as the newest season of the anime, and, as a result, these mythical creatures take center stage in most of them.
Each entry in the Pokémon film series usually includes one legendary monster that aids the protagonists in some way, while the other Legendaries battle each other or the antagonist. For the sake of this list, Mythical Pokémon will also be considered Legendary Pokémon.
10 Keldeo Trains To Be The Very Best
In the 15th Pokémon film, Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, Keldeo plays a major role. The Legendary Pokémon is training to become a member of the Swords of Justice, a group of powerful Pokémon. Keldeo duels with Kyurem, but is seriously injured, forcing it to retreat. As it escapes, it runs into Ash and his friends and befriends them, warning them about Kyurem.
After they make their way to the nearest Pokemon center, Keldeo is healed and has mostly recovered from its injuries. Although its horn is still broken, it is thankful for their help and vows to save the Swords of Justice from Kyurem.
9 Diancie Discovers Its Inner Strength
Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, the 17th film, opens with Ash and his friends rescuing Diancie from a pair of thieves. The Legendary Pokémon is thankful for their help and decides to tag along with the group. Diancie becomes fast friends with Ash and his companions, and they all travel together throughout the film.
Later, at the climax of the film, Diancie believes itself to be a failure and then Mega Evolves, to everyone's amazement. The now powerful Diancie is able to create a heart diamond strong enough to protect Ash and Pikachu from Yveltal's Oblivion Wing attack.
8 Hoopa Pranks Ash & His Friends
Hoopa first introduces itself to Ash and his friends by playing pranks on them. It quickly befriends them and joins their group as they travel throughout the area. However, after a dark spirit transforms Hoopa into its Unbound form, it begins attacking them.
Ash and his friends are determined to save Hoopa, as they understand that this is not its true nature. Eventually, the powerful shadow separates itself from Hoopa and becomes its own entity. Hoopa helps the trainers defend against the shadow while Baraz and his sister Meray try to create a new Prison Bottle to contain the creature.
7 Lugia Helps Ash Save The World
The 2nd movie established Ash as a chosen hero who must save the world. To help him achieve that goal, Lugia uses telepathy to explain to Ash what he needs to do. When the Legendary Birds, Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno, attack him, Lugia flies in to save the day. The Pokémon carries Ash to a shrine where he must insert the Fire, Lightning, and Ice orbs.
Combining that with a song played by Melody, the group is able to tame the Legendary Birds and save Lugia from being captured by the film's antagonist, Lawrence.
6 Victini Saves Ash's Life
Victini is depicted as a shy but playful Pokémon in the 14th film. It is initially hesitant to trust Ash and his friends, but it eventually comes around and travels around town with them. Unlike many of the other Legendary Pokémon, Victini cannot speak through telepathy.
However, Ash in particular bonds with Victini and shares visions of what the future holds. He refuses to leave Victini's side even when the Pillars of Protection are falling on them, threatening to crush them both. When Ash is on the verge of death, Victini is moved enough to summon the power necessary to free them both, demonstrating the strong friendship between the two.
5 Mew Plays With The Other Pokémon
The 8th film, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, depicts the titular Legendary Pokémon as a very friendly creature in a rather unique way. Rather than bonding with Ash and his friends, Mew instead befriends the group's Pokémon and plays with them while the trainers attend an annual ball that the town hosts.
When Mew is attacked by two Weavile, the other Pokémon try to defend it only to be frozen. In a desperate bid to escape, Mew teleports itself, Pikachu, and Meowth away and takes them to the Tree of Beginning. There, Mew and Pikachu play together while Ash and his friends make their way toward the tree.
4 Celebi's Friendship Stands The Test Of Time
Like many Legendary Pokémon, Celebi is shown to enjoy interacting with humans, but when it is threatened, it will do what is necessary to survive. When hunted by a poacher, Celebi teleports itself and a young boy named Sam into the future. In the present time, Ash and his friends befriend Sam and Celebi.
Later in the film, The Iron-Masked Marauder captures Celebi in a special Dark Ball which turns the Pokémon evil. It is forced to do the Marauder's bidding, which includes attacking Ash and Sam. Luckily, the group is able to remind Celebi of its memories, which helps it break free from the brainwashing.
3 Jirachi & Max Become Best Friends
The 6th film, Jirachi: Wish Maker, Jirachi quickly bonds with Max. The two first meet when Max comes into possession of a crystal that holds the Legendary Pokémon. He is prophesied to be Jirachi's best friend, and so the two are bound by destiny. However, Jirachi can only emerge from crystal every 1,000 years for a week while the Millennium Comet passes.
A former Team Magma scientist, Butler, is looking to use Jirachi to create a Groudon, one of the most iconic Legendary Pokémon, so that he can take his revenge. However, the creature he creates is not the real Groudon, but a monster that he cannot control. With the help of Ash, Max, and Jirachi, the group is able to stop Meta Groudon and return to sleep within its crystal. Max mourns the loss of his friend but is grateful that they met in the first place.
2 Shaymin Teases & Mocks Ash
Shaymin comes to Ash and his friends as it tries to escape the battle of Giratina and Dialga, one of the best Gen 4 Legendaries. It stumbles upon the group and steals snacks meant for the other Pokémon, angering them. Luckily, Dawn steps in to stop any harm from coming to Shaymin.
At first, Shaymin does not like Ash and makes fun of him throughout the film. However, the two bond and soon become friends by the end of the story. After it transforms into its Sky Forme, Shaymin fights alongside Ash and Pikachu to protect Giratina from Zero, who is trying to absorb the Legendary Pokémon's power.
1 Latias Has A Crush On Ash
The 5th Pokémon film, Pokémon Heroes, portrayed Latias as probably the friendliest Legendary Pokémon ever. This playful creature transforms itself into a human girl, nearly identical to Bianca, who is also Latias' best friend. Ash helps her flee from Team Rocket, and the two quickly develop a friendship.
At the end of the film, Bianca (or possibly Latias) bids Ash farewell by giving him a sketch of him and Pikachu and then kissing him on the cheek. Fans today continue to debate whether the girl was really Bianca or Latias.