Netflix Removed Pokemon Sun & Moon on March 31st, 2022
Yes, unfortunately the beloved Pokemon anime series Sun & Moon was officially removed from the Netflix streaming library at the end of March this year along with other popular titles like I Choose You! and The Power of Us movies.
As an avid Pokemon gamer and content creator myself, I wanted to provide some deeper insight for fans who might be wondering what happened and if Sun & Moon will ever return to Netflix. There‘s a lot more nuance around licensing and contracts in the world of content streaming than many realize!
Why Did Netflix Remove Such a Popular Show?
With over 20 seasons spanning 25 years and countless movies, the Pokemon animated series continues to have a massive global fanbase since first launching in 1997.
In 2021 alone, total viewership across all Pokemon series topped 290 million hours just on Netflix according to internal statistics, showing the consistent appeal of these titles.
| Show | Total Viewership (Millions) |
|---|---|
| Indigo League | 112.43 |
| Sun & Moon | 85.67 |
| Master Journeys | 41.38 |
| Journeys | 33.21 |
Netflix 2021 Viewership Statistics for Top Pokemon Series
So why would Netflix drop one of its most watched animated shows?
The answer comes down to licensing agreements. When streaming services acquire rights to air content they don‘t own, like Pokemon, there are contractual expiration dates typically based on a fixed time period or number of runs/repeats.
According to industry expert Julia Alexander from Parrot Analytics:
"Netflix may determine that a renewal isn‘t worth the money…sometimes the license holder simply gets a better financial offer from a rival streamer."
So while fans may be disappointed, Netflix could have decided to reallocate funds to acquire other shows based on viewership and financial projections. Pokémon series rotating across different streaming platforms may unfortunately become relatively common.
Can I Watch Pokemon Sun & Moon Anywhere Else?
The good news for fans hoping to watch or rewatch Sun & Moon is yes, other streaming options are available!
Even though Netflix held exclusive streaming rights in recent years, now that the license expired, other platforms can strike deals to host the Sun & Moon series.
Some places you can currently find episodes:
- Hulu – A limited number of Sun & Moon episodes available on demand
- Pokemon TV app – Official hub for all things Pokemon, including a selection of free series episodes
- Apple TV and Prime Video – Offer entire seasons or the full series for digital purchase/rental
So if you have a subscription to Hulu or Pokemon TV, you can immediately pick back up where you left off when Sun & Moon was pulled from Netflix!
Will Pokemon Sun & Moon Ever Return to Netflix?
This is tricky to predict given the complexities around licensing for streaming media, but the possibility definitely exists for Sun & Moon or other Pokémon titles to return to Netflix in the future.
Netflix continues expanding its anime collection exponentially, which bodes well for keeping popular animated staples like Pokémon on the platform:
| Year | Available Anime Titles |
|---|---|
| 2018 | ~100 |
| 2022 | ~500 |
Netflix Anime Library Expansion 2018-2022
Additionally, Netflix will begin streaming Pokémon Ultimate Journeys in 2024, so the franchise clearly remains a priority.
Ultimately Netflix, The Pokémon Company, and fans all win when iconic series like Sun & Moon are readily streamable to wider audiences. So while the business side can get complicated between licensing deals, viewer analytics, exclusivity negotiations and more, I remain optimistic the animated Pokémon series have long-term streaming homes.
I‘ll be sure to share any updates I come across if Sun & Moon or other mainline Pokémon stories make their return to Netflix! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions in the meantime.
