Nintendo Studios and Universal Pictures Register Copyright for Donkey Kong Movie Project

Nintendo Studios LLC and Universal Pictures are making headlines again with the recent registration of a copyright for an upcoming Donkey Kong motion picture.

Dated June 6, 2025, the official copyright filing lists the project as "Untitled Donkey Kong Project Motion picture," signaling a potential new addition to Nintendo’s rapidly expanding slate of film adaptations.

This development follows closely on the heels of Nintendo’s highly successful partnerships with Hollywood studios, most notably the blockbuster hit 'The Super Mario Bros.

Movie' and the recently announced live-action adaptation of 'The Legend of Zelda.' The Donkey Kong franchise, one of Nintendo's most iconic and enduring properties, first debuted in arcades in 1981 and has since become synonymous with Nintendo’s legacy.

Today, Donkey Kong continues to remain a major presence on platforms like the Nintendo Switch through flagship titles such as 'Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.' With Universal Pictures as the distribution partner, Nintendo is once again joining forces with a leading Hollywood studio, employing the same collaborative model that brought Mario’s cinematic adventure to global audiences, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide. Following the phenomenal box office performance of 'The Super Mario Bros.

Movie,' Nintendo Studios LLC declared its commitment to further developing its intellectual properties for the big screen.

In an official statement issued after the success of Mario’s film, Nintendo’s leadership remarked on their intent to "deliver exciting stories that capture the essence of beloved characters to both new and long-standing fans." The recent copyright registration for a Donkey Kong movie project demonstrates that this pledge is very much in motion. As for Universal Pictures, their collaboration with Nintendo has proven mutually beneficial, merging the gaming giant’s creative content with Universal’s established film production and distribution expertise.

The choice to adapt Donkey Kong for the big screen comes as no surprise, given the character’s global recognizability and the franchise’s wide appeal across generations of Nintendo fans. While the "Untitled Donkey Kong Project Motion picture" currently remains without a public release date or official cast announcement, confirmation of its copyright registration has already sparked considerable anticipation within the gaming and film communities.

Both Nintendo and Universal have a proven track record of turning classic properties into cinematic events, amplifying excitement for what could become Nintendo Studios' next major box office contender. Stay tuned for further updates via Nintendo Direct broadcasts and official statements as development progresses.

As Nintendo Studios LLC and Universal Pictures continue to translate classic video game experiences to the silver screen, fans have much to look forward to in the coming years.

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