Nintendo Teases Unannounced Movie Set for 2028 Release

Nintendo and Illumination have raked in over $2 billion at the box office with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, making a third collaboration between these two powerhouses a given. Thanks to a release schedule from Universal Pictures, we now have a timeline for their next cinematic venture.

According to Universal Pictures International Spain, an Untitled Illumination/Nintendo Event Film is set to hit theaters on April 12, 2028. This release comes two years after The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, paving the way for another adventure featuring Mario, Luigi, Peach, and new characters in the expanding Mario Cinematic Universe.

While Nintendo and Illumination haven’t officially confirmed a third Super Mario film, Galaxy hints at more intergalactic escapades for the Mushroom Kingdom crew. However, the next project might not focus on Mario at all; it could center around Donkey Kong instead.

In 2025, Nintendo Studios and Universal Pictures registered a copyright for an Untitled Donkey Kong Project. Donkey Kong played a significant role in 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie and made a brief appearance in its sequel. Reports of Seth Rogen reprising his role as Donkey Kong in a standalone film date back to 2021. In a 2023 interview, Rogen expressed enthusiasm for voicing Donkey Kong in future animated projects.

“There’s a lot of opportunity there,” Rogen noted. “The family dynamic of the Kongs seems to be — and if the Fast and Furious films have taught us anything, it’s that it’s all about family.” In a behind-the-scenes chat, he added, “It’s a fun character, it’s a fun world. I would be thrilled to see Donkey Kong go on more adventures.”

He did have one request: “Maybe give him some pants this time.”

Donkey Kong recently donned pants in Donkey Kong Bananza, a Nintendo Switch 2 game that delves into the ape’s early days, including his first encounter with Pauline, the damsel from the original Donkey Kong. Since his animated debut, Donkey Kong has also inspired two theme park attractions at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, featuring the Mine-Cart Madness coaster and an immersive land experience.

There are other possibilities as well: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie features characters from the Star Fox and Pikmin franchises, so a Fox McCloud-led movie could be on the horizon. Nintendo and Illumination already have Glen Powell in the mix, after all. Just don’t expect The Super Smash Bros. Movie to arrive in 2028; that might be a dream for the next decade.

Nintendo’s next confirmed theatrical release is based on The Legend of Zelda. The live-action fantasy film directed by Wes Ball from Nintendo Studios and Sony Pictures is scheduled for release on May 7, 2027.

Young British actors Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth have been cast.