When it comes to popular video game franchises that have transcended consoles and handhelds and become global phenomena, few come close to Pokémon. For 30 years now, the media franchise has launched dozens of video games, ever-popular trading card games, movies, an all-time great TV show, and every other type of media imaginable. And with the brand being as popular as ever, you’d think we’d see a Pokémon movie on the list of upcoming video adaptations.
I mean, it’s insane that while we’ve had a few shows in recent years, there hasn’t been a big-screen release since Pokémon: Detective Pikachu back in May 2019. That’s a seven-year drought in what has become the biggest video game movie boom period in decades. It’s just baffling that the Pokémon Company and its partners are pushing for another big-screen adventure, and I have a few reasons why this needs to change…
I Don’t Think Pokémon Has Been This Big Since The ‘90s
It could have something to do with the fact that the generation that grew up with Pokémon has money now, but it feels like the brand is as popular as ever. Between long lines at the Pokémon card vending machines, multiple social media channels dedicated to opening said card packs, and the Pokopia game causing a shortage of Switch 2 consoles after months of Nintendo’s latest device collecting dust in stores, per CNBC, everyone is going crazy for Pikachu and the rest of those pocket monsters.
The brand has never really fallen out of the public consciousness in the 30 years it’s been around, but even casual fans like myself are getting caught up in the madness like it’s the late ‘90s all over again. You know it’s been when outlets like CNN are reporting on the craze decades into its run.
Video Game Movies Are Tearing It Up Like Never Before
Another reason it’s so strange that there’s no Pokémon movie in the works right now is the fact that video game films are bigger than ever, both in terms of box office success and pop culture relevance. Dating back to 2021, adaptations like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Uncharted, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, A Minecraft Movie, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie have made more than $250 million at the global box office, with the first Mario movie making a staggering $1.3 billion back in 2023, per The Numbers. Those are bonkers numbers, if I’m being honest.
With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Mortal Kombat II, and Street Fighter on the 2026 movie schedule, and others like Sonic the Hedgehog 4 and The Legend of Zelda coming out next year, it wouldn’t be shocking if this trend continues. However, there’s no Pikachu, no Ash, no Team Rocket, and no new Pokémon movie amongst them.
What’s even more confounding is the fact that the previous Pokémon movies have done quite well in theaters, with 1999’s The First Movie making $163 million, per The Numbers, and 2019’s Detective Pikachu making $433 million, per The Numbers.
All of this is to say that the Pokémon Company and their partners are leaving some serious money on the table by not striking when the iron is once again hot. They just need to find a way to make it happen!
