You’ve heard the rumors. You’ve probably seen the fake posters on Facebook featuring Tom Holland or some AI-generated Link with weirdly long fingers. But if you’re asking is there a zelda movie coming out, the answer is a very loud, very official "Yes."
It’s happening. For real this time. No April Fools' jokes like that infamous IGN trailer from back in the day.
Nintendo is actually making a live-action The Legend of Zelda film. It’s not a cartoon, it’s not another Netflix series that got cancelled in secret—it is a big-budget, theatrical production co-financed by Sony Pictures and Nintendo. Shigeru Miyamoto himself is producing it alongside Avi Arad, the guy who basically built the Marvel Cinematic Universe at Sony.
Here is exactly what we know as of early 2026.
Is there a Zelda movie coming out soon?
Not tomorrow. Honestly, you’re going to need a bit more patience.
Right now, the official release date for the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is May 7, 2027.
It was originally pegged for March of that year, but Miyamoto hopped on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) back in mid-2025 to say they were pushing it back a few weeks to polish it up. "Production reasons," he said. Classic Nintendo. They’d rather delay a project than ship something that isn’t perfect.
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If you’re looking for something to watch sooner, Nintendo is actually dropping The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (the sequel to the 2023 hit) in April 2026. So, we have a bit of a "Nintendo Cinematic Universe" cadence starting to form. Zelda is the big follow-up act for the summer of 2027.
Where is the movie in production right now?
If you happened to be hiking through the mountains of New Zealand lately, you might have stumbled upon some Hylian architecture.
Principal photography officially kicked off in November 2025 in Wellington. They are expected to wrap up filming around April 2026. This is a huge deal because New Zealand is the home of Lord of the Rings. Using the same landscape for Hyrule makes a ton of sense. Wes Ball, the director (the guy behind Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), has said he wants the movie to feel like "live-action Miyazaki."
Think Princess Mononoke vibes. Gritty but whimsical. Real moss, real dirt, but with that sense of wonder that only Zelda can bring.
The Cast: Who is actually playing Link and Zelda?
This was the biggest mystery for years. Everyone wanted Hunter Schafer for Zelda. Everyone thought maybe a complete unknown would play Link.
In July 2025, Nintendo finally broke the silence.
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- Link: Played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth. You might recognize his voice from Disney's live-action Pinocchio or remember him from The Haunting of Bly Manor. He’s got that youthful, slightly intense look that fits a kid who has to save the world with a rusty sword.
- Zelda: Played by Bo Bragason. She’s an English actress who was recently in Renegade Nell. She has that regal but capable energy you need for a princess who usually ends up doing half the work anyway.
There are also strong rumors that Dichen Lachman (from Severance) has been cast as Impa, which would be an absolute win. As for Ganon? Nintendo is keeping that one locked in the Temple of Time for now. We haven’t heard a peep about who the villain is, though fan theories are currently pointing toward everyone from Idris Elba to a fully CGI beast voiced by someone like Javier Bardem.
What is the story going to be?
Don't expect a shot-for-shot remake of Ocarina of Time.
While there isn't a public script yet, the official logline suggests a young warrior named Link must protect Hyrule from Ganon, a warlord seeking the Triforce. It sounds like a "Greatest Hits" version of the Zelda mythos.
Wes Ball has been very vocal about not making this a "green screen" movie. He wants it to feel grounded. He’s mentioned that he doesn't want it to be Lord of the Rings Lite. It needs its own identity. It’s a fantasy adventure, sure, but it’s also a story about discovery and puzzles.
The challenge is how they handle the "Silent Protagonist" problem. In the games, Link doesn't talk much. In a movie? A silent lead is hard to pull off for two hours. We’re likely going to hear Link speak, which might be the most controversial thing to happen to the fandom since The Wind Waker first showed off its cel-shaded graphics.
Is there a trailer?
Short answer: No.
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Longer answer: Nintendo is "drip-feeding" info. We got some official set photos in late 2025 showing the lead actors in costume in a field. It looked... surprisingly good. Real fabric, real leather, very little "cosplay" feel.
Expect a teaser trailer to drop around late 2026, likely paired with the holiday season or a major Nintendo Direct. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has said they want to build "gradual excitement," so they aren't going to blow their load too early.
Why this matters for gaming fans
For decades, we were told Nintendo was done with movies after the 1993 Super Mario Bros. disaster.
That wall has crumbled. Between the Mario success and the opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Parks, Nintendo is becoming a transmedia giant. If Zelda succeeds, we are almost certainly looking at a Metroid or Star Fox project next.
But Zelda is different. It’s the "prestige" franchise. It carries more weight than Mario. If they mess this up, it hurts the brand in a way a bad Mario movie wouldn't. This is why Sony is involved—they know how to handle high-end action-adventure (think Uncharted or The Last of Us on HBO).
What you should do now
If you're hyped for the 2027 release, here is the best way to stay in the loop without falling for clickbait:
- Download the Nintendo Today app. Nintendo has been using this as their primary "breaking news" source lately.
- Follow Wes Ball on social media. He’s a genuine fan of the series and occasionally drops hints about his creative process.
- Watch the 40th Anniversary festivities in February 2026. Nintendo rarely lets a 40th anniversary pass without news. While it'll mostly be about games (maybe those Wind Waker and Twilight Princess Switch 2 ports everyone wants?), we might get a production update video.
The wait for the Master Sword to hit the big screen has been forty years in the making. Another year or two of filming and post-production is a small price to pay to make sure they don't give Link a motorcycle and a catchphrase.
Stay tuned. The journey to Hyrule is finally, actually, officially underway.