Is Nintendo Making a Donkey Kong Movie? Looks like the world’s most famous ape could be getting his own blockbuster. A new copyright filing has fans speculating that Nintendo and Universal are gearing up for a Donkey Kong film, spinning off from the runaway success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
First spotted by Nintendo Everything, the filing references an ‘Untitled Kong Project: Motion Picture’, with record dates from May and June this year. While that’s hardly confirmation, seeing the words ‘motion picture’ attached to anything Donkey Kong is enough to raise eyebrows across the gaming world.
If Nintendo’s keeping score, the ape’s time in the spotlight makes sense. Donkey Kong’s own ride launched at Universal Studios Japan last year, alongside a broader push to revive the franchise. The classic Donkey Kong Country from the Nintendo 64 era landed on Switch just months ago, and this week marks the arrival of Donkey Kong Bonanza, the first 3D platformer in the series since DK64, dropping July 17 on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Meanwhile, Nintendo’s got plenty of other cinematic cards on the table. A second Super Mario Bros. movie lands April 3, 2026, and a live action Legend of Zelda film is locked for May 7, 2027.
That said, gamers have been burned before, filing trademarks doesn’t guarantee a film will happen. Studios can shelve projects or hold rights indefinitely.
Still, with Nintendo doubling down on Donkey Kong content and Universal hungry for more family friendly hits, a movie seems more likely than not.
Should you go bananas over this? Maybe not yet, don’t get too excited. It is safe to say Donkey Kong fans are eating well in 2025, whether in theme parks, consoles or maybe soon… at the cinema. Time will tell on this one, we do have plenty of Donkey Kong flavor to keep us busy in the mean time!
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