Pokémon to Return to Theaters With ‘Wild Card’ Animated Feature Set for 2027 | The Apex Times

Friday, October 30, 2026

Above the Noise

Pokémon to Return to Theaters With ‘Wild Card’ Animated Feature Set for 2027 | The Apex Times

Pokémon is returning to the big screen with an upcoming animated feature titled “Wild Card,” which is scheduled to arrive in theaters in 2027, according to an announcement made during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco on Sunday night.

Deadline reports that the project will be produced in partnership with Japanese animation studio CloverWorks, a development that indicates a continued role for major anime production houses in mainstream franchise film releases. The announcement was presented to audiences at the event as part of the championship’s wrap-up programming.

Alongside the announcement, organizers shared a short teaser. Deadline describes the clip as featuring a trading card game player alongside a ghostly Pokémon character, though the description in the report does not provide a complete name for the character.

The “Wild Card” announcement also marks a notable shift for the franchise’s cinematic output, with Deadline characterizing the upcoming release as the first feature-length animated Pokémon movie in years. The report does not specify the reasons for the timing or detail any prior release schedule changes.

While no full creative team, voice cast, or plot summary beyond the teaser imagery has been disclosed in the report, the fact that the movie was unveiled at a World Championships venue points to an emphasis on direct fan engagement ahead of a 2027 theatrical window.

As the timeline moves toward 2027, additional information is expected to follow in subsequent announcements, including distribution plans for theaters, localization details for international markets, and any confirmation of the film’s production and release date across regions.

For attendees and families following Pokémon through the World Championships ecosystem, the announcement extends the franchise’s presence beyond live competition and into feature-film entertainment, adding another major event-format for the brand’s multi-year calendar.

Why It Matters

The 2027 date adds a new long-lead theatrical event to the Pokémon brand, with the franchise expanding beyond games and live championships into another major film release window.
Animation-studio partnerships can affect production schedules, staffing needs, and the scale of future marketing campaigns tied to theatrical distribution.
Unveiling the film at a World Championships closing ceremony reflects how major IP now ties entertainment releases to concentrated fan gatherings, which can influence audience expectations and demand.
The announcement, while limited in specifics, sets the stage for later disclosures that typically include cast, plot, and international release planning that can impact theater programming and licensing timelines.

Sources

Deadline: Pokémon Returning To The Big Screen With ‘Wild Card’ Animated Feature

Key Facts

“Wild Card,” an animated Pokémon feature film, is set for a 2027 theatrical release.
The film was announced during Sunday night’s closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco.
The project is described as being developed in partnership with Japanese animation studio CloverWorks.
A short teaser was shown, featuring a trading card game player and a ghostly Pokémon character.
Deadline describes “Wild Card” as the first feature-length animated Pokémon movie in years.