Nintendo has officially filed a copyright for an “Untitled Donkey Kong Project” in collaboration with Universal Pictures. While the title offers no concrete details, the filing confirms a Donkey Kong movie is actively in the works.
The document lists Nintendo Studios LLC and Universal Pictures as co-holders of the project. Nintendo Studios is the company’s in-house production branch focused on adapting its games to film, and Universal is its longtime partner through Illumination, the studio behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Fans have speculated for some time that Donkey Kong would get his own movie after his appearance in the Mario film. This new filing adds fuel to the idea that Nintendo is building toward a larger shared universe for its characters. Similar to what Marvel or DC have done, this could mean solo films for different characters that all connect in a bigger storyline later.
The timing is especially interesting. This copyright filing was submitted in May but only recently gained attention. It comes just ahead of the release of Donkey Kong Bananza, the next big title launching for Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2. That game is expected to lean into more cinematic storytelling, leading some to believe the movie and game could be tied together narratively.
Nintendo remains tight-lipped on future movie plans beyond the sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which is scheduled for April 3, 2026. They are also working on a live-action Legend of Zelda movie. But this Donkey Kong project shows the company is far from done with theatrical releases.
No casting, release date, or production details have been confirmed yet. But Donkey Kong might be the next Nintendo icon to hit the big screen, and all signs point to a broader expansion into film that is just getting started.
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