Nintendo and Illumination, the animation studio behind the highly successful Super Mario Bros. movie, have unveiled plans for a new animated film set in the iconic world of the beloved video game franchise.
In a tweet from Nintendo’s official account, series creator Shigeru Miyamoto revealed the exciting news. “We are now creating a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros,” Miyamoto announced. “This film is planned for release in theaters on April 3rd, 2026 in the US and many other markets, and throughout the month of April in other territories.”
While details about the upcoming film remain scarce, Miyamoto hinted at the collaborative effort between Illumination and Nintendo. “This time too, the staff at Illumination and Nintendo are working together,” he stated. “We’re thinking about broadening Mario’s world further, and it’ll have a bright and fun story.”
Although neither company explicitly referred to the project as a sequel, the mention of “broadening Mario’s world” suggests that familiar characters from the Mushroom Kingdom may take center stage once again. However, Nintendo has a history of spotlighting other characters for solo adventures, as seen with Luigi’s Mansion, Yoshi’s Island, and the upcoming Princess Peach game.
Returning to helm the production are Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto as producers. Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic will also resume their roles as directors, with Matthew Fogel penning the screenplay.
Nintendo’s announcement post emphasizes the company’s commitment to delivering unique entertainment to audiences worldwide. In addition to the new Mario film, Nintendo is gearing up to launch its successor to the Nintendo Switch next year. Furthermore, the company is collaborating with Sony on an upcoming live-action film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.
Fans of the Super Mario Bros. franchise can anticipate another thrilling cinematic adventure when the new animated film hits theaters in 2026.
