Navigating the massive world of Pokémon requires a clear roadmap, especially as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. With over 1,300 episodes across 28 international seasons, the series has successfully transitioned from the legendary journey of Ash Ketchum to the new horizons explored by Liko and Roy. This guide provides a detailed look at every era, ensuring that fans know exactly which movies to watch between the television arcs to maintain the best narrative flow.
The Original Series (Kanto & Johto)
The foundation of the franchise began in Pallet Town and expanded across the Kanto and Johto regions. These seasons established the core themes of friendship and growth that still define the show today.
- Season 1: Indigo League (Episodes 1–80)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back after episode 67.
- Season 2: Adventures in the Orange Islands (Episodes 81–116)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: The Movie 2000 – The Power of One after episode 105.
- Season 3: The Johto Journeys (Episodes 117–157)
Watch Movie: Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown after episode 155.
- Season 4: Johto League Champions (Episodes 158–209)
Watch Movie: Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest after episode 205.
- Season 5: Master Quest (Episodes 210–274)
Watch Movie: Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias after episode 267.
Advanced Generation & Diamond and Pearl
This middle era saw the introduction of Contests and a more complex, high-stakes narrative style. The Sinnoh seasons are particularly famous for their connected movie trilogy that explored the gods of the Pokémon world.
- Season 6: Advanced (Episodes 1–40)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker after episode 34.
- Season 7: Advanced Challenge (Episodes 41–92)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys after episode 85.
- Season 8: Advanced Battle (Episodes 93–144)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew after episode 134.
- Season 9: Battle Frontier (Episodes 145–191)
Watch Movie: Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea after episode 183.
- Season 10: Diamond and Pearl (Episodes 1–51)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai after episode 39.
- Season 11: DP Battle Dimension (Episodes 52–104)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior after episode 86.
- Season 12: DP Galactic Battles (Episodes 105–157)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life after episode 134.
- Season 13: DP Sinnoh League Victors (Episodes 158–191)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Zoroark – Master of Illusions after episode 184.
Black & White to Sun & Moon
The series continued to evolve with new animation techniques and more diverse regions. In the later part of this era, the movies began to shift into a separate continuity from the main television show.
- Season 14: Black & White (Episodes 1–48)
Watch Movie: Pokémon the Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom / Black—Victini and Reshiram.
- Season 15: BW Rival Destinies (Episodes 49–97)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice after episode 86.
- Season 16: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond (Episodes 98–142)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Genesect and the Legend Awakened after episode 122.
- Season 17: XY (Episodes 1–48)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction after episode 37.
- Season 18: XY Kalos Quest (Episodes 49–93)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages after episode 82.
- Season 19: XYZ (Episodes 94–140)
Watch Movie: Pokémon: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel after episode 127.
- Season 20: Sun & Moon (Episodes 1–43)
- Season 21: SM Ultra Adventures (Episodes 44–91)
- Season 22: SM Ultra Legends (Episodes 92–145)
The Journeys Era & Pokémon Horizons
The modern era brought Ash's long journey to a close and introduced the Rising Volt Tacklers. These seasons are currently available on Netflix, with the latest Horizons content arriving in early 2026.
- Season 23: Pokémon Journeys (Episodes 1–48)
- Season 24: Pokémon Master Journeys (Episodes 49–90)
- Season 25: Pokémon Ultimate Journeys (Episodes 91–144)
Special Note: The final 11 episodes are titled To Be a Pokémon Master, serving as Ash’s farewell.
- Season 26: Pokémon Horizons – Liko and Roy’s Departure (Episodes 1–45)
- Season 27: Pokémon Horizons – The Search for Laqua (Episodes 46–89)
- Season 28: Pokémon Horizons – Rising Hope (Episodes 90–Present)
Current Status: As of March 2026, this season is airing on Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It features the Mega Voltage arc and the introduction of Mega Evolution for Roy's Lucario.