Nintendo’s not done conquering the box office. Following the billion-dollar success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the company has confirmed that a wave of Nintendo movies is officially in the works — and this time, they’ll be coming at a much faster pace. It’s possible that the Nintendo Cinematic Universe (which fans have dubbed the NCU, could be happening after all).
In a presentation tied to Nintendo’s second-quarter financial results, company president Shuntaro Furukawa announced plans to maintain a “consistent release cadence” of feature films based on the company’s most iconic franchises. According to Furukawa, Nintendo is no longer interested in simply licensing its IPs and stepping aside. Instead, the company is taking a more hands-on approach — deeply involved “from planning and development through to production.”
Universal Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury and Mario/Donkey Kong Creator Shigeru Miyamoto in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe – Photo Credit: NBC Universal
READ: Hollywood Gloats Over Zohran Mamdani Victory as Celebrities Suddenly Differ with Even CNN
The presentation confirmed the two major projects currently on Nintendo’s cinematic slate following The Super Mario Bros. Movie from 2023:
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)
- The Legend of Zelda (2027)
Two additional projects appeared on the presentation slide, marked only with question marks — teasing more Nintendo movies already in development.
Building the Nintendo Cinematic Universe
Furukawa’s comments outline a clear strategy: Nintendo Pictures, the studio founded in 2022, will lead the charge. The studio previously created the short film Pikmin: Close to You and is now producing feature-length projects alongside major partners.
The upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie reunites Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination’s Chris Meledandri, promising a bright, cosmic sequel to 2023’s animated smash. A first trailer is rumored to debut alongside Wicked: For Good, in theaters on November 21st.
Mario naps under a tree in the teaser trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – YouTube, Illumination
Meanwhile, the Legend of Zelda live-action adaptation — set to release May 7, 2027 — will be directed by Wes Ball, known for The Maze Runner and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Ball has described his vision as “inspired by the work of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki,” hinting at a grand yet emotional tone for the fantasy epic.
Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto and Spider-Man producer Avi Arad are producing.
Beyond Mario and Zelda
Nintendo’s roadmap strongly suggests a long-term cinematic push similar to what Marvel achieved in the early 2000s — establishing a shared cultural presence that stretches beyond gaming. However, rather than run everything through one studio to allow for crossovers, Nintendo has seemingly spread its IPs out, with Mario going to Universal and Zelda to Sony.
That means a large-scale Super Smash Bros. crossover event is unlikely.
Link in The Legend of Zelda Breath of The Wild – YouTube, Nintendo of America
With Nintendo Pictures and the newly launched Nintendo Stars licensing subsidiary, the company now controls everything from animation and merchandise to live-action collaborations. The “consistent release cadence” framework points to a future where Nintendo movies arrive every couple of years rather than once per generation.
Fans are already speculating what could be next. Could we see Metroid get a big-screen sci-fi adventure? A Donkey Kong spinoff featuring Seth Rogen’s version of the character (gross…)? Or maybe Star Fox soaring into theaters with a mix of space combat and comedy? And seriously, who doesn’t want a Kirby movie?
The Bottom Line
Nintendo has learned the right lesson from Hollywood: when your characters are globally beloved, the key is creative control. By managing production internally while partnering with established studios, the company is ensuring that its legacy — and its image — remain firmly in its own hands.
(from left) Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), Mario (Chris Pratt), Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
If Furukawa’s plan holds, the next decade could bring a true renaissance for Nintendo movies — a cinematic era powered not by superheroes or wizards, but by plumbers, princesses, and legendary heroes from Hyrule.
Do you want to see more Nintendo movies? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: Warner Bros. Discovery Eyes Christmas Deadline for Split or Sale Decision
[…] Fonte: thatparkplace […]
Nintendo is becoming what Disney used to be, which is a family friendly media company you can trust to not poison your kid’s brains. There’s been some worrying signs Nintendo might go woke, but they seem to be standing their ground and resisting. Nintendo’s corporate philosophy is rooted in traditionalism, and I can’t see them changing that to appease the elusive “modern” audience. I think these next two movies will make or break them in the Hollywood sphere.
[…] Nintendo Confirms Ongoing Plans for Multiple Movies Beyond Super Mario Galaxy and Zelda — Is the N…– Toho’s First Teaser Reveals The Title Of The Sequel To ‘Godzilla Minus One’ ∟New […]