Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution
OLM
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution is a CGI remake of the original Pokémon: The First Movie (1998), faithfully recreating the story of Mewtwo — a genetically engineered Pokémon who develops consciousness, breaks free from Team Rocket's control, and plots revenge against humanity by gathering Pokémon clones for a final confrontation at New Island. Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu respond to an invitation from a mysterious trainer and find themselves at the center of a battle between original Pokémon and their perfect clones, culminating in the franchise's most iconic emotional moment.
The Evolution remake polarized fans primarily on the basis of its fully CGI presentation — a dramatic departure from the hand-drawn animation that gave the original its distinctive charm. However, the core story remains powerful: Mewtwo's philosophical questions about the nature of existence, purpose, and what defines a being's worth translate well to any medium, and the film's central themes of prejudice, the cycle of violence, and the power of compassion are among the most earnestly delivered moral messages in the franchise's history. For fans of the original series who want to revisit this story with modern production, or for newer viewers introduced to Pokémon through more recent media, Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution provides the full experience of the First Movie in a contemporary format.
Related Series
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution or the original 1998 film?
The original 1998 film has hand-drawn animation that many fans prefer for its nostalgic quality. The Evolution remake tells the exact same story but in CGI. Watch whichever visual style appeals more to you.
Is Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution on Netflix?
Yes — the CGI remake was produced by Netflix and is available on the platform worldwide.
When was Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution released?
Released July 12, 2019 in Japan and globally on Netflix shortly after. A CGI remake of the 1998 original.
How does Evolution compare to the 1998 original?
The 1998 original has hand-drawn animation that most fans prefer. Evolution tells the identical story in CGI. The choice between them is purely aesthetic — the stories are identical.
What do fans think of Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution?
Divisive — younger viewers and those new to the franchise find it accessible and visually polished. Original fans largely prefer the 1998 hand-drawn version. The CGI adaptation is widely considered inferior to the original.