McDonald’s confirms Pokémon Happy Meals with 15 toys and 15 cards, starting Nov. 10 in the US

McDonald’s has announced that Pokémon Happy Meals return to US restaurants on Nov. 10, with 15 collectible toys and 15 collectible trading cards. Dexerto reported the announcement on Oct. 29. The promotion is part of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.

The rollout is global. It starts in November in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain and Fiji, according to Dexerto. The full card list is still officially unconfirmed, but leaks point to two random cards in every Happy Meal, which could make complete sets harder to build than in past years.

What’s in the box

The featured Pokémon include Pikachu, Eevee, Charmander, Squirtle and Umbreon, Dexerto reported. A QR code on the box opens a game where players hunt for all 15 toys in a virtual classroom and playground.

Essential Japan reported on Oct. 27 that the toys are miniature plastic Happy Meal boxes, each themed on a Pokémon. The back of each box works as a frame for a trading card. The outlet called it the first time since 2018 that US Happy Meals have included plastic Pokémon toys.

The cards

McDonald’s hasn’t released the card list. Here is what’s been reported so far:

• Two random cards per meal from a 15-card set, according to a leak cited by both Dexerto and Essential Japan.
• Reprints with new McDonald’s numbering, like earlier McDonald’s Pokémon sets, per Essential Japan.
• Confirmed cards, per Essential Japan: Metagross, Palafin and Hawlucha. Dexerto’s leak source also lists Pikachu, Zoroark, Eevee and Jirachi.

Essential Japan noted that earlier McDonald’s Pokémon sets usually had six confetti-style holofoil cards. It’s not yet clear how many holos this set has. Earlier US promotions used four-card packs, so two cards per meal is a change.

Dates by region

Essential Japan reported these windows. Dexerto says McDonald’s hasn’t confirmed launch dates outside the US.

• Canada: Nov. 3 to Dec. 7
• Australia: Nov. 5 to Dec. 9
• US: Nov. 10 to Dec. 14

Dexerto reported that about 45 more countries follow in December, including Germany and the UAE. About 24 follow in January 2027, including Brazil and Mexico. The UK and Ireland come in February 2027.

Why it matters

McDonald’s promos are often a child’s first Pokémon cards. They also pull in adult collectors who chase sealed copies and holo sets. In our view, the two-cards-per-meal format matters most. It means more meals to finish a set, and more trading among collectors. Goldin’s Pokémon 30th anniversary auction alone logged 18 record sales and more than $28 million this month, ICv2 reported. We expect strong demand.

Speculation: These are mass-produced reprints handed out for five weeks in the US alone. Without a confirmed holo count, we wouldn’t treat this set as an investment.

By the numbers

• 15: toys in the US set
• 15: cards in the McDonald’s set, per reports
• 2: random cards per Happy Meal, per leaks
• Nov. 10: US launch date
• 2018: last time US Happy Meals had plastic Pokémon toys, per Essential Japan

What collectors should do

• Wait for the official card list before paying premiums for “chase” cards.
• Check launch dates locally. Participation varies by restaurant.
• Don’t overpay early on resale sites. The US window runs five weeks, so supply should keep coming.

Sources: Dexerto (Oct. 29, 2026); Essential Japan (Oct. 27, 2026); ICv2 (Oct. 29, 2026)

Featured image: Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash