Illumination and Nintendo Expand Their Blockbuster Partnership with a Multi-Year Film Pipeline
Photo Credit: Illumination
Universal Pictures has quietly revealed ambitious plans for its ongoing collaboration with Illumination and Nintendo, confirming the next “Illumination/Nintendo Event Film” for a theatrical release on April 12, 2028. The announcement comes via an updated release schedule on Universal Pictures Spain’s website, listing the project simply as an untitled animated event film.
This marks the third entry in the highly successful partnership that began with the record-breaking The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023. The sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, launched in early April 2026 and continues to perform strongly at the box office, building on the first film’s massive $1.3 billion global haul.
A Growing Cinematic Universe
Beyond the 2028 title, Universal’s schedule includes additional untitled Illumination/Nintendo Event Films slated for 2029 (June 29) and 2030 (July 3). This multi-year pipeline signals a long-term commitment to expanding Nintendo’s beloved properties on the big screen.
What the Projects Might Be
While no official details have been confirmed, strong fan and industry speculation point to several exciting possibilities:
2028 Film (April 12): The leading candidate is a Donkey Kong spin-off. This is supported by earlier copyright filings for an “Untitled Donkey Kong Project” and Seth Rogen’s popular voicing of the character in the first Mario film, with a notable cameo in Galaxy. A standalone DK adventure would allow the franchise to explore the Kong family dynamics, jungle settings, and high-energy action in Illumination’s signature style. Other possible options include a Star Fox film or even a Luigi’s Mansion-themed project.
2029 and 2030 Films: These slots could accommodate further spin-offs, such as Star Fox, Princess Peach, or deeper dives into other Nintendo universes, or a third mainline Super Mario Bros. movie. Jack Black has hinted at a potential Mario threequel around the 2029 timeframe, which would fit nicely into the expanded pipeline.
The strategy mirrors Illumination’s approach with the Minions and Despicable Me series: building a shared universe with high-energy animation, star-studded voice casts, and broad family appeal while staying faithful to Nintendo’s whimsical style under the guidance of producer Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri.
Why This Matters
The Mario films have proven that Nintendo IP translates powerfully to animation. With consistent box office dominance and strong merchandising potential, the expanded slate positions Universal and Nintendo to dominate family entertainment slots for years to come. A steady release cadence—roughly every two to three years—allows time for quality storytelling while keeping audiences engaged.
No plot, cast, or title details have been released for the 2028 film or its successors. Official announcements from Nintendo or Illumination are expected in the coming months as production ramps up. In the meantime, the news underscores a bright future for Nintendo’s cinematic ambitions, turning iconic video game worlds into enduring theatrical events. Families and gamers alike have plenty to look forward to through the end of the decade.