Nintendo's Next Animated Collaboration with Illumination Eyes an April 2028 Release
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A leaked schedule from Universal Pictures points to a new Nintendo and Illumination animated film arriving in April 2028, sparking speculation about a potential Donkey Kong spin-off or further expansion of the Mario cinematic universe.
Following the massive box office success of their ongoing cinematic slate, Nintendo and Illumination are already preparing their next big-screen outing. According to a recently spotted release schedule from Universal Pictures International Spain, shared via ResetEra, a new untitled Illumination and Nintendo event film is currently slated to hit theaters on April 12, 2028. Coming shortly after the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, this project cements Nintendo's aggressive expansion into transmedia storytelling and Hollywood dominance.
While the exact focus of the 2028 film remains officially unannounced, speculation is running high across the community. Given copyright filings from Nintendo Studios and Universal Pictures, many expect the spotlight to shift toward a standalone Donkey Kong project, potentially bringing back Seth Rogen to voice the iconic primate. Other possibilities include expanding further into the broader Nintendo universe, with characters from franchises like Star Fox and Pikmin making appearances in recent entries, though a massive crossover event like Super Smash Bros. likely remains a distant dream.
For modern gamers who view these franchises as core entertainment pillars, Nintendo's cinematic universe represents a fascinating cross-platform evolution. These films do not exist in a vacuum, often tying directly into new hardware rollouts, theme park attractions, and fresh software releases like Donkey Kong Bananza on the Switch 2. As Nintendo continues to bridge the gap between interactive gaming and traditional media, players can expect these adaptations to heavily influence how they experience their favorite virtual worlds. Original reporting by Michael McWhertor over at Polygon provides the full breakdown of the schedule leaks.
Tags: Nintendo, Illumination, Movies, Gaming Culture, Donkey Kong
Original article: Polygon