The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Detective Pikachu
Entertainment • Film

Detective Pikachu

Detective Pikachu is a 2019 live-action animated fantasy action-comedy film based loosely on the 2016 video game of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Detective Pikachu is a 2019 live-action animated fantasy action-comedy film based loosely on the 2016 video game of the same name. It follows Tim Goodman and a talking Pikachu as they investigate the disappearance of Tim’s father, Harry Goodman. The film was directed by Rob Letterman and was the first live-action film based on the Pokémon franchise.

Plot

The film follows Tim Goodman and Detective Pikachu as they investigate the disappearance of Tim’s father, Harry Goodman. The investigation takes them through Ryme City and reveals a larger mystery involving Pokémon and human relations.

Production

Detective Pikachu was directed by Rob Letterman, who co-wrote the screenplay with Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, and Derek Connolly. Filming took place in Colorado, England, and Scotland in 2018.

Release

The film premiered in Japan on May 3, 2019, and was released in the United States on May 10, 2019 by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Reception

The film was generally well received by critics and became the second-highest-grossing video game film adaptation at the time of its release.

Key facts

  • The film is also known as Pokémon Detective Pikachu.
  • Ryan Reynolds provides the voice and motion capture for Pikachu.
  • The story centers on Tim Goodman searching for his missing father, Harry Goodman, with help from Detective Pikachu.
  • It was released in Japan on May 3, 2019, and in the United States on May 10, 2019.
  • The film grossed about $433 million worldwide against a $150 million budget.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures and was widely released in Canadian theatres as part of its global rollout, making it relevant to Canadian Pokémon audiences.[1]

Frequently asked questions

What is Detective Pikachu?
Detective Pikachu is a 2019 live-action animated film based on the Pokémon franchise and loosely on the Detective Pikachu video game.
Who directed Detective Pikachu?
It was directed by Rob Letterman.
Who voices Pikachu in the film?
Ryan Reynolds provides the voice and motion capture for Pikachu.
What is the film about?
It follows Tim Goodman and Detective Pikachu as they search for Tim’s missing father, Harry Goodman.
When was it released?
It was released in Japan on May 3, 2019, and in the United States on May 10, 2019.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective_Pikachu_(film)
    Supports: Release dates, director, cast, plot, production, budget, and box office
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon:_Detective_Pikachu
    Supports: Film identity as a live-action Pokémon adaptation and release dates
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pokemon_detective_pikachu
    Supports: Synopsis, director, runtime, genre, and release information