Nintendo Pictures Launches Official Website Amid Super Mario Movie Hype

Nintendo Pictures, the dedicated film production arm of Nintendo, has entered the spotlight with the imminent release of its debut project, the Super Mario Movie, launching worldwide on April 7, 2023.

This much-anticipated animated film marks a major step forward in Nintendo's strategy to expand the reach of its beloved franchises beyond video games and into the realm of cinematic entertainment.

This week, Nintendo Pictures further cemented its presence by unveiling an official website, currently available in Japanese.

The launch offers fans new insights into the company's long-term ambitions while signaling its commitment to multimedia storytelling through film.

The website provides a clear message: Nintendo Pictures aims to introduce global audiences to the charm and legacy of Nintendo characters in ways that will leave a lasting impression. A translated overview from the website expresses the company’s vision for its film division.

It states, 'Our ambition is for people around the world to discover and remember Nintendo characters through movies that remain in their hearts.' The site emphasizes that Nintendo Pictures is dedicated to producing original and unexpected films, leveraging their rich catalog of intellectual properties.

According to official language, 'We continuously challenge ourselves to deliver uniquely imaginative movies based on Nintendo's iconic worlds.' The launch of Nintendo Pictures is an evolution of Nintendo’s long-held practice of tightly protecting and managing its IPs, such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Animal Crossing.

While past adaptations have had mixed critical receptions, the formation of an in-house film studio underscores the Kyoto-based company’s intention to oversee the expansion of its universes into new media with the same care and creativity found in their video game development. As anticipation mounts for the Super Mario Movie, industry experts are watching closely to see what projects Nintendo Pictures will announce next.

Though the studio has yet to reveal details about future film adaptations, the sheer breadth of Nintendo’s franchises—many of which have reached milestone sales on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and through Nintendo eShop—provides a wealth of inspiration and potential for future releases. Nintendo’s decision to launch its official movie studio is timely, building on the company’s proven ability to captivate audiences via hardware launches, first-party software, and global Nintendo Direct presentations.

With the Super Mario Movie set to premiere and the launch of nintendopictures.co.jp, fans can anticipate a new era where Nintendo characters are brought to life on the big screen.

Stay tuned to official channels and Nintendo Directs for future announcements about upcoming projects and international expansion plans for Nintendo Pictures.

Nintendo Mario Super Mario Super Mario Movie Nintendo Pictures Kyoto