Could it be the next Donkey Kong movie?
Nintendo’s film pipeline is starting to take clearer shape. While The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is still in cinemas, a new animated project has already been slated for release.
A distribution schedule from Universal Pictures lists an “Untitled Illumination/Nintendo event film” for 12 April, 2028. The project continues Nintendo’s collaboration with Illumination, following the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its recent follow-up, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
The listing comes from an official release calendar covering films through to 2030, giving an early indication of how Nintendo are spacing out their big-screen projects.
What could Nintendo’s 2028 animated film be?
Nintendo have not confirmed what the 2028 film will focus on. However, a Donkey Kong spin-off remains one of the more widely-discussed possibilities.
Reports about a standalone Donkey Kong project have circulated for some time, and the character’s limited presence in recent films has kept that conversation going. A dedicated film would give more room to explore his setting and supporting cast, including characters who have only appeared briefly so far. At this stage, there is no official confirmation on the story, setting, or returning cast.
Nintendo’s film slate continues to expand
The 2028 release fits into a broader run of projects tied to Nintendo’s franchises. A live-action The Legend of Zelda live-action film is already scheduled for 2027 and has completed filming in New Zealand. Beyond that, comments from Jack Black have pointed to the possibility of another Mario animated film later in the decade.
Taken together, the timeline shows a steady rollout, rather than large gaps between releases. Nintendo appear to be keeping a regular cadence with their film projects while working across both animation and live action. For now, the 2028 film remains untitled, with more details likely to follow closer to its release window.
