Nintendo’s Cinematic Universe Expands: Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Zelda Live-Action Headline Ambitious Slate
Nintendo, a stalwart of the global gaming industry, has committed to an ambitious expansion of its cinematic endeavors following the remarkable box office success of The Super Mario Bros.
Movie in 2023.
Building on this momentum, the company is set to further leverage its beloved intellectual properties with forthcoming films including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, arriving in 2024, and a highly anticipated live-action The Legend of Zelda adaptation scheduled for 2027. The Super Mario Bros.
Movie, which debuted to impressive ticket sales and broad critical attention in April 2023, marked Nintendo’s triumphant return to theaters after a lengthy hiatus.
Collaborating closely with Illumination—the studio behind Despicable Me—and Arad Productions, Nintendo demonstrated a new level of involvement in bringing its iconic characters to the big screen.
According to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, speaking during the company’s latest financial briefing, "Our plans include a continued rollout of film projects going forward." This statement underscores a deliberate strategy to maintain a consistent release cadence for Nintendo movies, ensuring that audiences regularly encounter fresh interpretations of the company’s celebrated franchises.
Furukawa further pointed out Nintendo’s multi-pronged approach to animation and film content.
While the company will persist in partnerships with established industry studios such as Illumination and Arad Productions, they are also investing in internal talent and production capabilities. In 2022, Nintendo established Nintendo Pictures, a dedicated animation production company aimed at creating both full-length features and short-form content.
A recent project from this studio, the "Close to You" animated short, showcases the potential for in-house creativity and storytelling focused on Nintendo’s rich character roster.
Additionally, the formation of Nintendo Stars reflects an expansive vision: this subsidiary manages the licensing and secondary use of Nintendo IP in film and other media, broadening the reach of iconic series through carefully curated partnerships and content adaptations. With the upcoming release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the confirmed development of a live-action The Legend of Zelda film, Nintendo is poised to solidify its position as a major force not only in the gaming sphere but also in cinematic entertainment.
As the company continues to blend its legendary franchises with high-quality film production, fans can expect an increasingly regular cadence of new Nintendo movies rolling out in theaters and beyond.
Stay tuned for further updates, and in case you missed it, the first teaser for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now available for viewing.
Movie in 2023.
Building on this momentum, the company is set to further leverage its beloved intellectual properties with forthcoming films including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, arriving in 2024, and a highly anticipated live-action The Legend of Zelda adaptation scheduled for 2027. The Super Mario Bros.
Movie, which debuted to impressive ticket sales and broad critical attention in April 2023, marked Nintendo’s triumphant return to theaters after a lengthy hiatus.
Collaborating closely with Illumination—the studio behind Despicable Me—and Arad Productions, Nintendo demonstrated a new level of involvement in bringing its iconic characters to the big screen.
According to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, speaking during the company’s latest financial briefing, "Our plans include a continued rollout of film projects going forward." This statement underscores a deliberate strategy to maintain a consistent release cadence for Nintendo movies, ensuring that audiences regularly encounter fresh interpretations of the company’s celebrated franchises.
Furukawa further pointed out Nintendo’s multi-pronged approach to animation and film content.
While the company will persist in partnerships with established industry studios such as Illumination and Arad Productions, they are also investing in internal talent and production capabilities. In 2022, Nintendo established Nintendo Pictures, a dedicated animation production company aimed at creating both full-length features and short-form content.
A recent project from this studio, the "Close to You" animated short, showcases the potential for in-house creativity and storytelling focused on Nintendo’s rich character roster.
Additionally, the formation of Nintendo Stars reflects an expansive vision: this subsidiary manages the licensing and secondary use of Nintendo IP in film and other media, broadening the reach of iconic series through carefully curated partnerships and content adaptations. With the upcoming release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the confirmed development of a live-action The Legend of Zelda film, Nintendo is poised to solidify its position as a major force not only in the gaming sphere but also in cinematic entertainment.
As the company continues to blend its legendary franchises with high-quality film production, fans can expect an increasingly regular cadence of new Nintendo movies rolling out in theaters and beyond.
Stay tuned for further updates, and in case you missed it, the first teaser for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now available for viewing.
