Nintendo’s Next Animated Movie Gets April 2028 Release Date

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie might still be in theaters, but we already know when Nintendo’s next animated film will arrive.

Universal has now updated its movie schedule with an “Untitled Illumination/Nintendo event film” that’s set to launch on April 12, 2028. Illumination, of course, is the animation studio behind the Minions franchise, as well as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its just-launched sequel.

A 2028 return for Nintendo’s animated movie franchise comes as no shock. Rumors have persisted for some time that the company is mounting a Donkey Kong spinoff film, something that the character’s absence in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie made even more obvious.

Nintendo also already has a 2027 movie on the books — its highly-anticipated live-action The Legend of Zelda film, which just finished shooting in New Zealand. Meanwhile, Bowser film actor Jack Black has suggested he’ll be back for a third Mario animated movie in 2029.

All of this places Universal’s April 2028 date as very likely being for that Donkey Kong movie, with Seth Rogen anticipated to return in his previous Super Mario Bros. Movie role. Fans are hoping this spinoff explores more of DK’s jungle kingdom, and viewers get to properly meet other Kong characters (Diddy and Dixie appeared previously, though only in brief cameos).

Time will tell if Nintendo’s Donkey Kong film tells an all-new story, or whether elements from various DK video games will be incorporated. Could we see more of his Donkey Kong Country adventures? Or perhaps he’ll be teaming up with a young Pauline? We did see Mayor Pauline in the Super Mario Bros. Movie, but perhaps this story could be a prequel — or, we may get an origin story for a new, younger Pauline, which Donkey Kong Bananza hinted at. Hey, if the Super Mario Galaxy Movie can finally confirm the canon story behind Rosalina’s origins, anything is possible.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social