The Wizard: How Nintendo’s 1989 Film Became a Cult Classic and Historical Touchstone

The Wizard: How Nintendo’s 1989 Film Became a Cult Classic and Historical Touchstone When Universal Pictures released The Wizard in December 1989, few could have foreseen the film’s enduring legacy.

Bridging the worlds of Hollywood and video games for one of the first times on the big screen, The Wizard would become a significant title in the history of gaming cinema.

Conceived by Universal executive Tom Pollack and brought to life by writer David Chisholm and director Todd Holland, the film began as a unique hybrid—a coming-of-age road movie with video games at its heart, rather than simply a commercial for Nintendo’s lineup. With a budget of $6 million, The Wizard ultimately grossed $14.3 million at the box office.

While not a blockbuster, it avoided the fate of later video game-film adaptations like 1993’s Super Mario Bros.

and 1994’s Double Dragon, both of which floundered at the box office, and instead carved out its own curious legacy.

Critical reception at launch was harsh; renowned critic Roger Ebert notably described the film as “a cynical exploitation film with a lot of commercial plugs” and labeled it among the year’s worst.

Yet, the intended audience—young gamers and fans of Nintendo—connected with the movie in ways critics did not, and over time, The Wizard gained cult status for its emotional storytelling and the memorable showcase of hot Nintendo NES products, including the Power Glove and the global reveal of Super Mario Bros.

3. Director Todd Holland, who would go on to win multiple Emmy Awards for his work on TV classics like Malcolm in the Middle and The Larry Sanders Show, recalled the whirlwind pace of production.

“Within five weeks of being hired, we were on set shooting,” Holland said, highlighting the urgency related to lead actor Fred Savage’s schedule for The Wonder Years.

Despite studio reservations, Holland brought his passion for kids’ adventure stories and a unique outsider’s lens—he didn’t play games at the time, reasoning that he could make video games interesting to everyone, not just existing fans.

“That’s why it worked,” Holland summarized. The film’s cast included a host of stars: Fred Savage as Corey, child actor Luke Edwards as Jimmy (the titular "Wizard"), Jenny Lewis in her debut film role, veteran Beau Bridges, and the soon-to-be iconic Christian Slater.

Holland noted the collaboration and real camaraderie among the cast, sharing that “we really had fun together.” Luke Edwards reflected on the experience as formative, recognizing the film’s emotional depth and the impact of working with caring professionals like Holland and Lewis. A notable part of the film’s legacy remains its tight association with Nintendo and its products.

In an era where such cross-promotion was novel, The Wizard gave the world its dramatic introduction to the Power Glove and, more importantly, the first on-screen look at Super Mario Bros.

3—considered one of the greatest NES titles ever and a milestone for the franchise.

“Nintendo was cooperating fully,” Holland recounted.

“They never asked us to change the script.

These products fit naturally into our story.” Holland also provided insight into production challenges, such as shooting with children in casinos and navigating Universal Studios’ busy backlot, often working around the theme park trams.

He famously fought to preserve the emotional core of the story, pushing for the now-iconic ending at the dinosaurs outside Palm Springs—a sequence that was written just a day before filming. Though the film was initially viewed as a commercial disappointment, Holland experienced a reassessment when The Wizard found renewed popularity through home video and internet fandom.

“After the DVD release, I finally connected with the fans and realized we had created something meaningful,” he shared.

Edwards echoed this sentiment, noting the lasting impression the film left on a generation of viewers and how it shaped his career. As The Wizard marks its 35th anniversary, its legacy endures—not just as a curious artifact of Nintendo’s outreach to Hollywood or a parade of iconic NES games and hardware like the eShop, but as a touchstone for fans and a pioneering moment in video game movie history.

The film’s journey from a critically panned commercial product to a beloved cult classic stands as testament to the power of nostalgia, storytelling, and the deep connections forged by gaming culture.

Nintendo Universal Pictures The Wizard Todd Holland Fred Savage Luke Edwards Christian Slater Jenny Lewis Beau Bridges David Chisholm Tom Pollack Nintendo NES Super Mario Bros. 3 Power Glove Nintendo Switch Retro Gamer