Grab your Poké Balls and your paleontology hats because Pikachu’s going prehistoric. The wildly popular Japanese Pokémon Fossil Museum is set to make its first international debut at the Field Museum next year, bringing with it a delightful collision of science and fantasy that’s sure to excite fans of all ages.
Opening May 22, 2026, the exhibit pairs real fossils of dinosaurs and ancient lifeforms with their Pokémon doppelgängers, like the mighty Tyrantrum and birdlike Archeops. Visitors can expect to see iconic Field Museum residents like SUE the T. rex, which is starting May 24, displayed alongside fossil Pokémon inspired by them, drawing connections between the fictional world and real-life prehistoric creatures.
The Pokémon Fossil Museum is a collaboration between Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science, The Pokémon Company group, and the Field Museum. It aims to spark scientific curiosity through the lens of one of the most beloved video game franchises in the world.
“For more than 29 years, the Pokémon brand has been adored by fans around the world, stoking fascination and curiosity for the franchise’s many iconic Pokémon, their lore, and the unique world they inhabit much in the same way the Field Museum encourages wonder and learning for its visitors,” said Jaap Hoogstraten, Head of Exhibitions at the Field Museum, in a press release.
In true Pokémon fashion, the exhibit will be guided by “professors” from the Pokémon world and feature Excavator Pikachu, an adorable mascot sporting a hard hat, alongside Field Museum scientists. Together, they’ll explain how fossils are found, preserved, and studied, both in our world and in the Pokémon universe.
The exhibition promises to be an educational journey that blends fantasy and fact, inviting families, gamers, and dinosaur buffs alike to explore the natural sciences through a fun, familiar lens.
“Aligned with the Field Museum’s mission to connect us to the natural world,” Hoogstraten added, “the Pokémon Fossil Museum will inspire visitors to make new discoveries about some of their favorite Pokémon while offering a pathway to science, especially budding paleontologists.”
For updates, ticket info, and sneak peeks, head toField Museum’s website.
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