Since The Super Mario Bros. Movie burst onto the scene in 2023—becoming one of the biggest box-office hits ever based on a video game—Nintendo has been fast-tracking its move into film. Now, fresh filings reveal that the company’s most barrel-hoarding hero, Donkey Kong, is gearing up for his own standalone movie. Below, we unpack everything we know about this new project and explore Nintendo’s broader Hollywood ambitions.
Donkey Kong on the Big Screen: What We Know So Far
Nintendo Studios and Universal Pictures quietly filed a copyright registration in May for the as-yet-untitled “Untitled Donkey Kong Project; Motion Picture,” signaling their joint production of the first feature dedicated solely to Donkey Kong. The ape first appeared in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (voiced by Seth Rogen), which grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, clearing the path for spin-offs centered on other Nintendo icons.
While there’s no official release date, everything points to an animated feature in Illumination’s signature style. With the opening of the Donkey Kong Country land at Super Nintendo World and the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo is orchestrating a multimedia blitz to spotlight its jungle-dwelling champion.
Riding the momentum of Mario’s success, Nintendo unveiled in its 2025 shareholders’ meeting a hands-on strategy for all its film and TV adaptations. President Shuntaro Furukawa emphasized the company’s desire to “expand the number of people who have access to our IP,” ensuring Nintendo is involved in every step of production—from scripting to final cut—to protect the integrity of its worlds.
Already confirmed projects include:
- Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, set to hit theaters in April 2026
- The Legend of Zelda live-action adaptation, penciled in for May 2027
- Multiple untitled films and series, spanning both animation and live-action, hinting at a fully fledged Nintendo Cinematic Universe
By co-producing rather than merely licensing, Nintendo retains creative control, guaranteeing that each adaptation feels true to the beloved source material.
Nintendo Studios is blending animation partnerships—like the one with Illumination—with live-action ventures backed by Universal and other major Hollywood players. This hybrid model delivers:
- Creative oversight to preserve each franchise’s unique tone
- Brand consistency across all media
- A chance to welcome new audiences, from die-hard gamers to casual viewers
With Donkey Kong soon leaping into theaters, the slate could soon include Metroid, Animal Crossing—or even a Luigi’s Mansion spin-off. Each film or series not only promises fresh storytelling and merchandising gold but also cements Nintendo’s characters as pop-culture icons beyond the console.
The confirmation of a Donkey Kong movie marks a thrilling next chapter in Nintendo’s entertainment expansion. By combining blockbuster animation with ambitious live-action, and maintaining tight creative control, Nintendo is crafting a cinematic universe as rich and cherished as its games.
