Nintendo and Illumination’s Untitled Animated Movie Set for April 2028 Release

Nintendo and Illumination, the animation studio behind the blockbuster The Super Mario Bros. Movie, have officially announced their next collaborative project: an untitled animated “event film” set for release on April 12, 2028. The confirmation comes from an updated release schedule on Universal Pictures’ Spanish website, which lists the film as an “Untitled Illumination/Nintendo Event Film.” While details about the project remain scarce, the announcement solidifies Nintendo’s expanding cinematic ambitions following the massive success of its recent film adaptations.

Release Date and Production Details

The April 2028 release date places the film two years after the upcoming The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is expected to hit theaters in 2026. This accelerated timeline suggests Nintendo and Illumination are aiming to maintain momentum after the first two Mario films collectively grossed over $2 billion worldwide. The new project is explicitly labeled as an animated feature, aligning with Illumination’s signature style and the visual approach of the Mario movies.

Universal’s Spanish release schedule provides the only concrete details available, with no official confirmation yet from Nintendo or Illumination regarding the film’s premise, characters, or creative team. However, the classification as an “event film” implies a major production intended to draw significant audience attention, similar to the studio’s high-profile releases like Minions or Despicable Me.

Speculation and Potential Franchise Expansion

The lack of specifics has fueled widespread speculation about which Nintendo franchise will serve as the basis for the 2028 film. Industry observers have pointed to several possibilities, with Donkey Kong emerging as the most likely candidate. Last year, Nintendo and Universal filed copyright registrations for an untitled Donkey Kong movie, and the character has been prominently featured in recent Nintendo projects, including the Donkey Kong Country expansion at Super Nintendo World theme parks and the 2025 release of Donkey Kong Bananza, his first solo game in over a decade.

Seth Rogen, who voiced Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, has not been confirmed for the potential spin-off, but his involvement remains a topic of discussion among fans. Other rumored contenders for future Nintendo-Illumination collaborations include Star Fox, Kirby, and Luigi’s Mansion, though no official announcements have been made about these properties.

The 2028 release also aligns with broader industry speculation about the formation of a “Nintendo Cinematic Universe.” Reports from entertainment insiders have suggested a structured slate of films, including a potential Star Fox movie targeting a 2030 release and a Super Smash Bros. adaptation further down the line. While Nintendo has not confirmed these plans, the company’s aggressive expansion into film and theme park experiences indicates a long-term strategy to build a interconnected multimedia franchise.

Industry Context and Audience Expectations

The success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its sequel has demonstrated the commercial viability of Nintendo’s intellectual properties on the big screen. The first film became the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time, surpassing $1.3 billion globally, while the upcoming Galaxy sequel is expected to build on that momentum. This track record has likely emboldened Nintendo and Illumination to accelerate their production pipeline, reducing the three-year gap between the first two Mario films to just two years for the next project.

Audience expectations for the 2028 film will be high, particularly given the established quality of Illumination’s animation and the growing demand for family-friendly blockbusters. The studio’s ability to balance humor, heart, and visual spectacle has resonated with both children and adult audiences, a formula that Nintendo’s properties are well-suited to replicate. However, the challenge will be maintaining freshness while expanding beyond the Mario universe, which has dominated Nintendo’s recent cinematic efforts.

The April 2028 release date also positions the film in a competitive landscape, sandwiched between other major Universal releases like Fast Forever and a new The Mummy movie. This scheduling suggests confidence in the project’s ability to stand out in a crowded market, particularly if it leverages a beloved Nintendo franchise with a built-in fanbase.

What Comes Next

While Nintendo and Illumination have not yet revealed any details about the 2028 film, industry observers will be closely watching for official announcements in the coming months. Potential milestones to watch for include casting updates, title reveals, and teaser trailers, which could provide clarity on whether the project is indeed a Donkey Kong spin-off or another Nintendo property entirely.

The film’s success could also influence Nintendo’s broader cinematic strategy, particularly regarding the rumored “Nintendo Cinematic Universe.” If the 2028 release performs well, it may accelerate plans for additional spin-offs and interconnected storytelling, further blurring the lines between video games and film. For now, fans will have to wait for more concrete details, but the April 2028 date offers a clear sign that Nintendo’s big-screen ambitions are only growing.