Nintendo’s Next Mario Movie Slated for 2028 Release in Leaked Schedule

Image: Nintendo, Illumination/Universal Pictures

Following the monumental success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie—both of which surged past the $2 billion mark at the global box office—it was only a matter of time before Nintendo and Illumination joined forces once again. Thanks to a recently updated release calendar from Universal Pictures, we finally have a window into when their next big-screen venture will debut.

According to documentation from Universal Pictures International Spain, a mysterious, untitled Nintendo and Illumination project is slated for theatrical release on April 12, 2028. This arrival, occurring exactly two years after the premiere of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, suggests a continued expansion of the cinematic Mushroom Kingdom.

While the companies have remained tight-lipped regarding an official third Mario installment, Galaxy leaves the door wide open for further cosmic escapades. However, industry chatter suggests the spotlight might shift away from the plumber brothers, potentially placing Donkey Kong at the center of his own standalone epic.

In 2025, Nintendo and Universal officially registered a copyright for an unannounced Donkey Kong feature film. Given that Seth Rogen provided the voice for the ape in the 2023 Mario debut, speculation about him headlining a solo project has persisted for years. Rogen has consistently expressed enthusiasm for the character, famously noting in past interviews that he’d be thrilled to explore the Kong family dynamic further—provided, of course, that they finally get him some trousers.

Beyond the potential for a DK solo film, the horizon is filled with other possibilities. With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie introducing figures from the Star Fox and Pikmin universes, fans are eager to see if characters like Fox McCloud will take flight in their own features. Meanwhile, Nintendo’s immediate future remains anchored in live-action, with Wes Ball’s highly anticipated Legend of Zelda film confirmed to hit theaters on May 7, 2027. As for a massive Super Smash Bros. crossover, we likely have to wait until at least the next decade.

Source: Polygon