How a failed 1993 experiment eventually birthed a billion-dollar cinematic powerhouse for Nintendo

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: After a disastrous live-action adaptation in 1993, Nintendo retreated from film for decades. The company only returned to the screen after realizing that combining their iconic software with cinematic assets could extend their brand's reach. The result was a record-breaking animated adventure that redefined video game film success.

The journey to the 2023 film began with the caution born from the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie, which was both a critical and commercial failure. Creator Shigeru Miyamoto remained interested in film, but only after seeing the potential in Nintendo's Virtual Console service. He eventually met Chris Meledandri, CEO of Illumination, while collaborating on Super Nintendo World. By 2016, the two were discussing a project, and by 2018, Nintendo officially announced a partnership with Universal and Illumination.

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic aimed to create a faithful, cinematic origin story for the plumbing brothers. They intentionally moved away from the irreverent style of their previous work on Teen Titans Go!, focusing instead on grounded stakes and emotional depth. The production involved intense collaboration with Nintendo, which oversaw every aspect from storyboards to visual development. The animation, handled by Illumination Studios Paris, sought to balance stylized fun with a sense of realism, ensuring the characters felt substantial rather than overly elastic.

The film's release in April 2023 shattered expectations, earning $1.360 billion globally. It became the most successful video game adaptation ever and the first to cross the billion-dollar threshold. Beyond the box office, the film's music—composed by Brian Tyler in collaboration with Koji Kondo—blended orchestral arrangements with classic eight-bit sounds. Jack Black’s performance as Bowser even included an improvised ballad, 'Peaches,' which reached the Billboard Hot 100. Despite mixed critical reviews, the project solidified Nintendo’s new strategy for leveraging its intellectual property, with a sequel following in 2026.

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