McDonald's brings back Pokémon Happy Meal toys on November 10
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- The Pokémon Happy Meal launches in the US on November 10, 2026, announced by McDonald's and The Pokémon Company on October 29.
- Each meal includes one of 15 mini Happy Meal box-shaped toys and two random Pokémon trading cards, with seven foil cards in the set.
- Canada starts November 3 and Australia starts November 5, while the rollout reaches more countries through February 2027.
McDonald's is bringing back the Pokémon Happy Meal on November 10, 2026. Each meal comes with a plastic Pokémon toy and two trading cards. The promotion marks the franchise's 30th anniversary.
The announcement came on Thursday, October 29, according to USA Today. McDonald's and The Pokémon Company confirmed the new collection together. The promotion will run for a limited time while supplies last.
What happened
McDonald's revealed the new Pokémon Happy Meal on October 29, 2026. The US launch date is Tuesday, November 10. The meals will be sold at participating restaurants.
Canada gets the promotion even earlier. It starts there on Tuesday, November 3, and runs through December 7.
Australia starts Thursday, November 5, and runs through December 9. The US run ends Monday, December 14. PokeBeach confirmed these dates after speaking to multiple stores.
The rollout continues beyond North America. Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Spain and the US get it in November, Mashable reports.
Dozens more countries follow in December and January. Ireland and the UK come last, in February 2027.
Each meal box comes in one of three designs. The boxes feature Pikachu, Umbreon or Torchic. Inside, diners get one of 15 collectible toys.
The toys are the big change this year. Each one is a small plastic toy shaped like a mini Happy Meal box. The box is shaped around a different Pokémon.
An extendable keyring lets kids clip the toy to bags or pants. The back of the toy opens into a small frame. You can slide one of the cards into it for display.
The official toy list includes 15 Pokémon, according to Essential Japan. The list covers Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Weedle and Eevee.
It also has Umbreon, Torchic, Piplup, Munchlax, Minccino and Espurr. Rowlet, Sobble and Sprigatito complete the set. The toys span Pokémon from the Kanto games through Paldea.
This is the first plastic Pokémon toy in a Happy Meal since 2018, PokeBeach reports. Recent years focused only on cards and paper extras.
Why it matters
Collectors get two things to hunt: toys and cards. Each Happy Meal includes two random Pokémon trading cards. The 15-card set has its own McDonald's numbering, from 001/015 to 015/015.
Seven of the cards have a foil finish. The foil uses the confetti style McDonald's fans know from past years.
The card list comes from The Pokémon Company itself. It includes Bulbasaur, Rowlet, Sprigatito, Charmander, Torchic and Squirtle.
It also has Piplup, Pikachu, Raichu, Clefairy, Slowpoke and Marill. Gengar, Eevee and Snorlax round out the set, according to Essential Japan.
The cards are mostly reprints of older cards, as PokeBeach reports. They carry McDonald's set numbering instead. Some early leaks named different cards, and the official list replaced them.
There is also a digital part. A QR code on the Happy Meal box opens a game. Players search a virtual classroom and playground for all 15 toys.
USA Today reports that the box unlocks this scavenger hunt. It gives the promotion a play layer beyond the physical items.
Guillaume Huin is McDonald's senior marketing director. He posted photos of the boxes, toys and cards on X on October 29, USA Today reports.
He showed how the toys clip to bags and belt loops.
The timing ties to Pokémon's 30th anniversary. The franchise began in Japan in 1996 with Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy. The anniversary has already brought new merchandise.
A large trading card expansion launched in September, Essential Japan reports.
The promotion also replaces the current menu star. Right now McDonald's is selling Boo Bucket Happy Meals featuring Disney villains. The Pokémon meals take over the Happy Meal slot on November 10.
One group gets a different deal. In Quebec, Canada and in Norway, the toy is not available. Diners there get a 4-card booster pack instead, according to PokeBeach.
What happens next
Fans should check their local McDonald's on the launch date. The promotion is available only while supplies last. Past Pokémon Happy Meal promos have sold out fast in some areas.
No purchase limit has been announced.
Watchers of the inside story of the Golden Arches kitchen know McDonald's tests ideas carefully. This one looks like a safe bet. The company has already celebrated the anniversary in Japan.
Japan got 12 different Happy Meal toys with 30 Pokémon in August, Essential Japan reports.
Parents may see the bigger picture. Pokémon is one of the world's most popular children's franchises, according to USA Today. It ranks with Disney and Mario in global fame.
For fast food chains, licensed toys still drive foot traffic.
The next question is supply. If the toys and cards sell out in the first wave, restocks are not guaranteed.
Want the full 15-toy set or all seven foil cards? Do not wait long after November 10.
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