Super Mario Movie 3’s Confirmed Release Window Presents Nintendo With A Problem

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As a huge Nintendo fan, I’m so excited to see them really going for it with movies! After The Super Mario Bros. Movie became a massive hit in 2023 – earning over $1.4 billion – it felt like things were just getting started. And I was thrilled when The Super Mario Galaxy Movie came out, letting us all jump back into that incredible world after waiting three years!

The highly anticipated sequel, already nearing $1 billion in earnings, confirms that Nintendo is planning more adventures with Mario and friends. While a third movie hasn’t been officially announced, a scene after the credits of The Super Mario Movie 3 hints at what’s to come: the introduction of Daisy to join Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Rosalina in future films.

Nintendo and Illumination haven’t announced a release date for the third Super Mario movie yet. However, Keegan-Michael Key, who voices Toad, recently told ScreenRant that they’re aiming for a 2029 release. Based on the release timing of the first two films, an early April 2029 launch is likely, maintaining the established pattern for the franchise.

While another Super Mario movie sounds exciting, waiting three years for The Super Mario Movie 3 could be a challenge for Nintendo. They’re getting audiences accustomed to seeing their characters in theaters, and a long gap before the next Mario film might disrupt that momentum.

2028 Has Become A Gap Year For Nintendo’s Cinematic Universe

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie seemed to kick off Nintendo’s plan to release a new film in theaters each year. Following a 2026 release, a live-action Legend of Zelda movie is now scheduled for 2027. It was recently moved to late April to align better with when audiences expect Nintendo movies to come out.

If Keegan-Michael Key is right and The Super Mario Movie 3 doesn’t arrive until 2029, then 2028 will be the only year in the near future without a Nintendo movie release. With this timeline, the studio is still planning to release three films within four years, which makes the year-long break between the Zelda movie and Mario 3 seem unusual.

By 2028, it will feel strange if Nintendo hasn’t released a movie. If their characters aren’t regularly in the public eye, other franchises could easily take their place. That’s why we see franchises like Marvel, DC, and Star Wars consistently release new content—to avoid losing audience interest. With people’s attention spans getting shorter and tastes changing quickly, breaks can be risky.

There’s Still Time For Nintendo To Release A Movie In 2028

It’s still early in 2026, giving Nintendo time to plan a movie release for 2028 and decide what it will be. Even though no films have been officially announced yet, they’re likely working on several projects that could be ready in a couple of years.

Let’s look at the potential Donkey Kong movie. Nintendo and Universal registered a copyright for an unnamed Donkey Kong project in July 2025. Considering Seth Rogen’s character will be animated, a three-year production timeline leading to a 2028 release seems reasonable.

Games like Star Fox or Luigi’s Mansion might also be in development, potentially coming together in time. This means Nintendo has a good chance of having something new ready for 2028, before The Super Mario Movie 3 is released in 2029. However, it’s also possible that third Mario movie will be finished sooner and released earlier than expected.

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2026-05-27 21:59