Nintendo Expands Beyond the Console, Confirms More Film & TV Adaptations in the Works

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Summary

  • Nintendo has confirmed it is actively working on “various other projects” for film and TV
  • The company is expanding its intellectual property beyond the already announced Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel and The Legend of Zelda film

Based on the triumphant success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the eagerly awaited release of The Legend of Zelda film, Nintendo has confirmed that they are actively developing multiple projects in the realm of visual media. This announcement, made by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, indicates a major shift in the company’s strategy to utilize its extensive intellectual property across various platforms outside of traditional video games.

At a recent AGM Q&A session, President Furukawa disclosed that Nintendo is opting for a more active role in adapting its IPs into films, as opposed to just handing them over to external production companies. The company is heavily engaged in the production process and makes necessary investments, a strategy aimed at preserving a high level of quality and authenticity within the final product. This approach closely resembles Nintendo’s successful partnership with Illumination for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which generated over $1.3 billion USD globally.

Moving forward with increased film and TV projects aligns with Nintendo’s larger goal of making its intellectual properties (IP) more accessible to a wider audience, and energizing its primary integrated hardware-software business. As for which popular series could be adapted next, from Metroid to Kirby or Donkey Kong, details are still under wraps, but there’s plenty of buzz about which beloved franchises might get the big-screen treatment soon. This push into visual media reflects Nintendo’s drive to evolve into a more diverse entertainment force. You can read President Furukawa’s full response below, where he discusses the company’s future plans.

In April 2023, we debuted “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” in cinemas worldwide, and it has been well-received by audiences globally. Moving forward, we’ve got more exciting news! Another animated film set in the Super Mario Bros. universe is slated for release in April 2026, followed by a live-action adaptation of “The Legend of Zelda” hitting screens in May 2027. As part of our strategy to broaden the reach of Nintendo intellectual properties (IP), we’ve been actively exploring areas beyond our gaming platforms for several years now. One such venture is visual content production. Instead of merely licensing our IP, we are taking a hands-on approach by being directly involved in the production process and investing as needed. This allows us to ensure the highest possible quality of the final product. At this moment, we can’t disclose further plans beyond “The Legend of Zelda” movie, but trust us, there’s plenty more in the works!

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2025-07-09 00:56