Disney+, Pokemon Company ink deal for 2027 stop-motion series
Disney+ and The Pokémon Company International ink a global distribution deal that will bring new Pokémon programming to Disney platforms worldwide, headlined by the Aardman stop-motion series Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu, set to debut on Disney XD and Disney+ in 2027. The agreement follows Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, which began airing on Disney XD earlier in August as the first title under the pact and is now streaming on Disney+.
Key Takeaways
- Disney+ and The Pokémon Company International announced a global distribution deal at Pokémon XP in San Francisco.
- Pokémon the Series: The Beginning is the first show under the agreement, airing on Disney XD and streaming on Disney+ in the U.S. and some international markets.
- Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu, from Aardman, debuts on Disney XD and Disney+ in 2027.
- The stop-motion series follows Sirfetch'd and Pichu on quests across the Galar Region.
- Disney kids and family president Ayo Davis and Pokémon animation director Phil Rynda praised the collaboration.
What Does the Disney and Pokémon Distribution Deal Include?
According to Variety, Disney+ has set a global distribution deal with The Pokémon Company International covering both linear and streaming releases. The announcement builds on early August, when Pokémon the Series: The Beginning began airing on Disney XD as the first title to launch under the new global distribution agreement.
That series follows Ash and Pikachu as they embark on adventures throughout the Pokémon world. It is now available for streaming on Disney+ in the U.S. and some international markets, giving Disney a flagship animated entry into the franchise on its platforms.
When Will the New Stop-Motion Pokémon Series Release?
The centerpiece of the expanded partnership is Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu, scheduled to debut in 2027. The series will premiere on Disney XD and stream exclusively on Disney+ under the global distribution framework.
Per the official description, Sirfetch'd and Pichu embark on an epic journey through the Galar Region. Together, they set out on gallant quests to help and protect Pokémon across the region. Their missions rarely go as planned, but their noble deeds forge their friendship as they step bravely into the unknown.
Who Is Making the Aardman Stop-Motion Series?
The stop-motion project hails from The Pokémon Company International in collaboration with animation studio Aardman. The creative team includes director Tom Parkinson, creative director of IP development Nat McKay, and model making creative lead James Young.
Phil Rynda, Pokémon's director of original animation, said Aardman has brought Galar to life in a way that makes audiences feel they can smell the air and touch the tree bark. A trailer for the upcoming series was released during the announcement panel.
Why Does This Partnership Matter for Streaming?
For Disney+, landing Pokémon strengthens its kids and family slate at a moment when franchise IP drives subscription retention. Ayo Davis, Disney kids and family president, said Pokémon has that rare ability to mean something to longtime fans while continuing to feel completely relevant to young audiences today.
Davis added that the Aardman series brings signature stop-motion artistry with a bold, playful perspective to the beloved world. The deal news was announced during a panel at Pokémon XP, a three-day fan event at San Francisco's Moscone Center. For more platform moves like this, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.