The success of Super Mario Bros. The Movie at the box office has prompted Nintendo to embark on more cinematic adaptations of its beloved franchises. Following the announcement of a live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, the gaming giant has revealed plans for its next film project. Here’s what we know.
Insights into Nintendo’s Upcoming Film
In 2023, Nintendo and Universal achieved tremendous success with Super Mario Bros. The Movie, produced by Illumination Entertainment. Unlike the 1993 live-action film featuring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, this animated movie has been received with great enthusiasm by audiences. It has grossed an impressive $1.361 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the decade.
This clear success has driven Nintendo to continue translating its video game worlds to the big screen. After Shigeru Miyamoto announced a live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, directed by Wes Ball and slated for release in 2027, Nintendo has also announced a sequel to Super Mario Bros. The Movie, scheduled to hit theaters on April 1, 2026. A recent report confirmed that the company is actively working on new adaptations, although specific projects have yet to be disclosed.
New Plans for a Donkey Kong Film
Recently, it was revealed that Nintendo and Universal have filed a copyright for a project titled “Untitled Donkey Kong Project Motion Picture“. This indicates that a feature film centered on Donkey Kong is in development. It is anticipated that this will be another animated film, likely in collaboration with Illumination Entertainment. Notably, Donkey Kong made a significant appearance in Super Mario Bros. The Movie, suggesting that the upcoming film could serve as a spin-off from both Mario films.
This announcement arrives at a crucial time for Nintendo, as the Japanese gaming giant is set to release the highly anticipated Donkey Kong Bananza on July 17, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game promises dynamic and engaging gameplay, and fans are eager to see how it will complement the franchise’s growing film presence.
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