Nintendo has announced that the live-action “Legend of Zelda” movie will hit theaters on March 26, 2027. The company made this announcement through its newly launched Nintendo Today app, rather than traditional social media channels or press releases.
Sony Pictures will distribute the film, which is a collaboration between Sony and Nintendo. The project was first announced in November 2023, with Wes Ball (“The Maze Runner” trilogy, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”) attached as director.
Production Details
Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of the Zelda series, is producing the film alongside veteran producer Avi Arad. Ball is also producing with Joe Hartwick Jr. under their Oddball Entertainment banner.
“This is Miyamoto. I have been working on the live-action film of ‘The Legend of Zelda’ for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films,” Miyamoto wrote at the time. “I have asked Avi-san to produce this film with me, and we have now officially started the development of the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production. It will take time until its completion, but I hope you look forward to seeing it.”
According to the original announcement, the film will be co-financed by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Nintendo, with Nintendo providing the majority of funding.
Similar Posts
Director’s Vision
While story and casting details remain under wraps, Wes Ball has previously shared some thoughts on his approach. He has described his vision as “live action Miyazaki,” referencing acclaimed filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli fame. Ball has indicated he wants to create a “serious” adaptation that feels real and “grounded,” noting that he doesn’t plan to use much motion capture for the film.
Nintendo’s App Strategy
The release date announcement came through Nintendo’s new Nintendo Today app, which was unveiled during the March 2025 Nintendo Direct. The app serves as a hub for Nintendo news and updates, featuring a daily calendar and regular information drops for fans.
The decision to announce the Zelda movie release date through this app signals Nintendo’s strategy to drive fans to its own platforms for breaking news, bypassing traditional media channels.
Gaming to Film Adaptation
The Zelda movie follows the success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” Nintendo’s previous video game adaptation. Released in April 2023 through a partnership with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, the animated Mario film grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, becoming the 18th-highest-grossing global release of all time.
With a release date now set for 2027, fans will need to wait a little over two years for additional details about casting, plot, and other production elements for the Zelda adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The live-action Legend of Zelda movie is scheduled to be released on March 26, 2027, as announced by Nintendo through their new Nintendo Today app.
Wes Ball, known for directing “The Maze Runner” trilogy and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” is set to direct the live-action Legend of Zelda film. He’s also producing the movie alongside Joe Hartwick Jr. under their Oddball Entertainment banner.
No, casting details for the Legend of Zelda movie have not been announced yet. Information about who will play Link, Zelda, and other iconic characters remains under wraps as of March 2025.
The plot details have not been revealed yet, so it’s unknown which specific Zelda game(s) the movie will be based on, or if it will feature an original story set in the Zelda universe. Nintendo and Sony Pictures have kept story details confidential so far.
The movie is being produced by Shigeru Miyamoto (creator of the Zelda series) and Avi Arad (known for producing many successful films). Nintendo is heavily involved in the production and is providing the majority of the financial backing, with Sony Pictures Entertainment co-financing the project.
Director Wes Ball has described his vision for the Legend of Zelda movie as “live action Miyazaki,” referring to the acclaimed filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. Ball has indicated he wants to create a “serious” and “grounded” adaptation that feels real, and has mentioned he doesn’t plan to rely heavily on motion capture for the film.