A new animated feature film titled Pokémon: Wild Card has been officially announced, marking the franchise's return to movie theaters for the first time in seven years. Revealed during the Pokémon XP convention, the project is scheduled to launch in cinemas in 2027 and beyond. It represents a major milestone for the brand, serving as the 25th feature film overall—a count that includes 2019's live-action Detective Pikachu—and the first theatrical release since 2020's Secrets of the Jungle.
This upcoming project distinguishes itself from all prior animated films in the franchise in several key ways. Following the conclusion of Satoshi and Ash Ketchum's story in the main television series in 2023, Wild Card will be the first animated Pokémon movie that does not star the long-standing protagonist. Furthermore, rather than serving as a direct side story to the television anime, the production pivots to focus directly on the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
A promotional trailer presented at the convention offered an initial look into the movie's premise, introducing an unnamed young boy identified as a card player alongside his partner Mimikyu. The preview footage showcased a match setup where the central character plays a Psychic-type deck containing a Mimikyu card, hinting at an intriguing world where real Pokémon and their tabletop card game counterparts intersect.
Historically, the connection between the physical trading card game and the fictional universe depicted on screen has been minimal. Outside of subtle easter eggs like card collections shown in early episodes or promotional distribution items such as the Ancient Mew card tied to Pokémon The Movie 2000, characters have never been depicted actually playing the card game within the main story, suggesting Wild Card may exist in its own distinct continuity.
The production brings together notable creative talent from across the anime industry. Studio CloverWorks, known for its work on Spy x Family and The Elusive Samurai, is animating the feature film. Directorial duties are being handled by Katsuhiko Kitada, who previously worked on Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, while Akemi Hayashi of Banana Fish is serving as character designer.
By centering the narrative on the card game, the franchise is tapping into one of its most lucrative branches while embracing a broader industry trend of high-profile cinematic anime releases. Although advertised for release in 2027 and beyond, potential production schedules or localized international rollouts could mean global audiences see the film closer to 2028.
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