It is time to catch ‘em all again, because Pokémon is headed back to the big screen. The trading card and video game franchise is returning with “Pokémon: Wild Card,” a new animated movie opening worldwide in 2027.
The film was announced during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco, where a short teaser offered a first look. The story centers on a trading card game player and a ghostly Pokémon named Mimikyu, the mysterious creature that disguises itself as a Pikachu under a tattered yellow hood.
A Fresh Team Behind the Lens
This is the franchise’s first new anime film in more than six years. Katsuhiko Kitada, whose credits include “The First Slam Dunk” and “Attack on Titan,” is directing the movie at CloverWorks, the studio behind “Spy x Family” and “Bocchi the Rock!” Akemi Hayashi, known for “Banana Fish” and “Lazarus,” is handling character design, with Story Inc. producing.
“Pokémon: Wild Card tells the exciting story of a Pokémon TCG player and his partner Mimikyu. When the time comes to put their cards on the table, will they have what it takes to achieve their goals?”
The movie marks a return to the franchise’s theatrical roots. The last Pokémon anime film, “Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle,” opened in Japan in December 2020 and later landed on Netflix. The last entry to hit theaters worldwide was 2018’s “Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us.” The franchise celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2026, and next year will also bring “Winds” and “Waves,” the 10th generation of games.
Why It Matters
Pokémon remains one of the biggest entertainment brands on the planet, and a big-screen return after a six-year gap is a major moment for both the anime and trading card communities. Centering a film on the trading card game and a fan-favorite Pokémon like Mimikyu is a smart nod to the modern fandom, which has grown around TCG play as much as the games and show. With a 2027 release already locked and a stacked animation team behind it, “Pokémon: Wild Card” could be the franchise’s biggest theatrical play in years.
