Everyone is asking the same question. After the 2023 Mario movie cleared a billion dollars and the 2026 release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was locked in, the "Smash" conversation went from a playground pipe dream to a corporate inevitability. We all want it. We want to see Mario and Link finally trade blows on a 50-foot screen.
But honestly? A Super Smash Bros film is a logistical nightmare that makes The Avengers look like a low-budget indie project.
The Nintendo Cinematic Universe is actually happening
Nintendo isn't just "considering" movies anymore. They are deep in the trenches. President Shuntaro Furukawa recently told investors that the company is building a "consistent release cadence" for films. Basically, they want a steady stream of Nintendo on the big screen.
We already have the roadmap.
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: Coming April 3, 2026.
- The Legend of Zelda: A live-action project co-produced with Sony, likely aiming for 2027.
- Donkey Kong: Rumors of a Seth Rogen-led spin-off have been swirling since Donkey Kong Bananza hit shelves.
The pieces are moving. But here is the catch: Zelda is live-action. Mario is animated. If you're wondering how they’re going to mash those two together for a Super Smash Bros film, you've hit the nail on the head. It's the "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" problem on steroids.
Why the "Smash" crossover is a legal and creative headache
In the games, Smash is a celebration of everything. You’ve got Solid Snake from Konami, Sora from Disney, and Steve from Minecraft.
🔗 Read more: Free games free online: Why we're still obsessed with browser gaming in 2026
A movie? Good luck.
Getting Disney, Sega, and Capcom to agree on how their characters are portrayed—and how much money they get—is a legal swamp. This is likely why Nintendo is focusing on their "core" internal brands first. Even then, the tonal shift is jarring. You have the bright, slapstick world of Illumination’s Mario and the presumably gritty, epic scale of a live-action Link.
Does Mario become "real"? Does Link become a cartoon?
If Nintendo follows the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate "World of Light" premise, they might find a way. In that story, everyone is turned into "spirits" or trophies. It’s a convenient narrative shortcut. It allows different art styles to coexist because the world itself is magical and broken. But for a two-hour narrative feature, audiences usually want more than just "here are twenty characters you recognize hitting each other."
What we know about Nintendo Pictures
In 2022, Nintendo bought an animation studio (Dynamo Pictures) and renamed it Nintendo Pictures. Since then, they've been quiet, mostly helping with visual assets. But insiders suggest this is where the "connective tissue" happens.
💡 You might also like: Catching the Blue Marlin in Animal Crossing: Why This Giant Fish Is So Hard to Find
While Illumination handles the big Mario blockbusters, Nintendo Pictures is reportedly the gatekeeper of the brand's visual identity. If a Super Smash Bros film ever gets the green light, this studio will be the one ensuring Samus Aran doesn't look weird standing next to a Kirby.
The "Sakurai" Factor
We can't talk about Smash without mentioning Masahiro Sakurai. He’s the guy who birthed the series. He’s famous for his "everything must be perfect" work ethic.
He recently finished work on Kirby Air Riders (the remaster/sequel rumors for Switch 2), and fans are already speculating if he's being consulted for the cinematic side. Without his eye for detail—knowing exactly how Mario’s jump should look vs. Link’s spin—a movie might feel like a cheap imitation.
Reality check: Don't expect a 2026 release
Let's be real for a second. There is zero chance a Super Smash Bros film releases in 2026. That year is 100% owned by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Think of the current era as "Phase One" of the NCU (Nintendo Cinematic Universe).
📖 Related: Ben 10 Ultimate Cosmic Destruction: Why This Game Still Hits Different
- Establish the Mario world (Done).
- Expand the Mario world into space/Galaxy (2026).
- Introduce the "other" big pillar with Zelda (2027).
- Launch a third pillar—likely Metroid or Donkey Kong.
Only after these franchises are established individually does the crossover make sense. If they rush it, it’s just Space Jam: A New Legacy, and nobody wants that.
How to track the progress
If you want to know when the Super Smash Bros film is actually becoming a reality, watch the credits of the Zelda movie and Mario Galaxy.
Look for "Stinger" scenes. If we see a stray Pokéball in the Mushroom Kingdom or a reference to a "Bounty Hunter in the Galactic Federation" in a Mario post-credit scene, the hype is officially real.
Until then, keep an eye on the February 2026 Nintendo Direct. Rumors suggest we’ll get a first look at the "Switch 2" and potentially a new Smash game. The movie will almost certainly follow the trajectory of the games.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Super Mario Galaxy Trailer: Released in September 2025, it contains "deep cuts" according to Keegan-Michael Key. Look for non-Mario cameos in the background of the Comet Observatory.
- Monitor Nintendo Pictures: Any new trademark filings for "Nintendo Pictures Crossover" or similar titles usually hit the public record 6–12 months before an announcement.
- Check the Zelda Production Notes: If Sony and Nintendo announce a "stylized" look for Zelda rather than hyper-realism, it’s a massive hint that they want her to eventually share the screen with animated Mario.