A special Pokémon exhibit is opening at a Chicago museum this spring

A childhood obsession and serious science are set to collide at an upcoming exhibition at Chicago’s Field Museum. This spring, the Pokémon Fossil Museum makes its North American debut, bringing Fossil Pokémon face to face with the real ancient creatures that inspired them.

Opening May 22, 2026, the exhibition invites visitors to compare fan favorite Pokémon like Tyrantrum and Archeops with actual fossils from the Field Museum’s world-class collection, including casts of Sue the T. Rex and the Chicago Archaeopteryx. Through interactive exhibits, the show uses the beloved Pokémon as a gateway to paleontology, evolution and natural history.

The exhibition first launched in Japan and was created in collaboration with the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo and The Pokémon Company. Chicago is its first international stop, and the only place in North America where fans can see it through April 11, 2027.

Visitors are guided by Pokémon "professors," Field Museum scientists and an adorable Excavator Pikachu dressed for the dig. Check out real fossil excavation tools and get a behind-the-scenes look at how paleontologists work. Immersive soundscapes and Field Museum scientists bring the world of natural history to life.

Three Field Museum scientists are featured throughout the exhibition: Chief Fossil Preparator Akiko Shinya, Assistant Curator of Early Tetrapods Arjan Mann and Associate Curator of Fossil Reptiles Jingmai O’Connor. Their research and personal stories are woven into the experience, grounding the fantasy in real careers and real discoveries.

"Aligned with the Field Museum’s mission to connect us to the natural world, 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," said Jaap Hoogstraten, Head of Exhibitions at the Field Museum, in a press release.

This exhibition is a must for budding paleontologists and Pokémon enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a new way to view the natural world.