10 Nintendo Movies That Could Expand the Smash Bros. Shared Universe Beyond Super Mario

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a major hit in 2023, setting the stage for a potential shared universe centered around Super Smash Bros. With the immense success at the box office, breaking records and becoming one of the most profitable animated films ever, it is clear that both Illumination and Nintendo have their sights set on expanding The Super Mario Bros. Movie franchise through a Super Smash Bros. shared universe.

While nothing has been officially announced, there has been much speculation about the possibility of a Super Smash Bros. movie. Super Smash Bros. is known for bringing together Nintendo's beloved characters in a fighting game crossover, making it an ideal concept for a shared movie universe. With a The Legend of Zelda movie already in the works and successful releases like Sonic the Hedgehog and Detective Pikachu, Nintendo has a solid foundation for building out a shared Smash Bros. universe. However, there is still much work to be done to bring this ambitious project to life.

Kirby

Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight

Kirby and the Forgotten Land Video Game - Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight

The Kirby franchise, created by Masahiro Sakurai, is one of Nintendo's most popular platforming series, second only to Mario. With a significant presence in the Super Smash Bros. universe, a Kirby movie could be essential in expanding the success of the crossover series. Given its potential for an animated family film similar to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Kirby stands out as a natural choice for Nintendo to explore further in terms of franchise opportunities.

Fire Emblem

Marth, Roy, Ike, Robin, Lucina, Corrin, Chrom, Byleth

Edelgard preparing to kill Dimitri in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. - Marth, Roy, Ike, Robin, Lucina, Corrin, Chrom, Byleth

The Fire Emblem series, while significantly different from the Super Mario Bros. series, plays a crucial role in the potential success of a Super Smash Bros. Movie. With its tactical RPG gameplay and medieval fantasy setting, characters like Marth, Roy, Ike, and others have become iconic in the Super Smash Bros. franchise. A Fire Emblem movie would require a more mature tone compared to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, yet it is essential for the overall success of a Super Smash Bros. movie adaptation.

EarthBound

Ness, Lucas

Ness in front of his house in Earthbound - Ness, Lucas - EarthBound

Another potential Nintendo movie franchise to consider following The Super Mario Bros. Movie is EarthBound (also known as Mother). This fan-favorite turn-based RPG series is well-suited for a film adaptation due to its strong emphasis on storytelling. The epic narrative and rich themes of EarthBound make it a compelling choice for the big screen. Additionally, the series has had a significant presence in the Super Smash Bros. franchise, with Ness being a part of the roster since the original game.

F-Zero

Captain Falcon

Captain Falcon, a man wearing a red helmet, and blue and orange racing suit, in front of a background of 16-bit F-Zero 99 cars.

The futuristic racing franchise F-Zero has been a consistent presence in Super Smash Bros. since the beginning. Despite the lack of new F-Zero games in recent years, the character of Captain Falcon has evolved significantly through his appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series. Originally a racer, Captain Falcon is now portrayed as a bounty-hunting brawler. With its futuristic setting, F-Zero would make for an exciting and unique concept for a Nintendo movie adaptation.

Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, King K. Rool

seth-rogen-as-donkey-kong-in-the-super-mario-bros-movie - Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, King K. Rool

Following The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a natural choice for a spinoff would be centered around Donkey Kong. While Donkey Kong and some of his companions made appearances in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, there is still ample room for exploration, considering the extensive history of the main ape's own franchise. A film delving into characters such as Diddy Kong and King K. Rool could greatly contribute to solidifying the Super Smash Bros. roster within Nintendo's interconnected universe, making it a viable and promising option.

Star Fox

Fox, Falco, Wolf

Nintendo Launches Star Fox Zero Anime - Did It Reveal The NX? - Fox, Falco, Wolf

Star Fox is a top contender for a Nintendo movie, thanks to its narrative-rich aerial combat storyline that is ripe for expansion into a sprawling sci-fi franchise. Characters like Fox, Falco, and Wolf have already made their mark in Super Smash Bros., showcasing the series' widespread appeal and setting the stage for a cinematic adaptation that can truly capture its essence. While a Star Fox anime special received praise from critics, there has been no follow-up so far. A full-length Star Fox movie could be the ideal way to revive and fully realize this captivating concept.

Metroid

Samus, Zero Suit Samus, Dark Samus, Ridley

A close-up of Metroid Prime Remastered's cover art, featuring Samus standing in a hallway. - Samus, Zero Suit Samus, Dark Samus, Ridley

Metroid, a beloved sci-fi franchise by Nintendo, has yet to receive its own movie adaptation. Drawing inspiration from films like Ridley Scott's Alien, the video game series is seen as a prime candidate for a cinematic release. Despite its potentially more mature themes, a Metroid film could serve as a groundbreaking opportunity for Nintendo to showcase a female-led story. Introducing Samus Aran to the big screen would not only pave the way for a Nintendo cinematic universe but also fulfill the long-awaited dreams of fans worldwide.

Kid Icarus

Pit, Palutena, Dark Pit

Pit in Kid Icarus Uprising - Pit, Palutena, Dark Pit

Kid Icarus, a franchise cherished by Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai, could potentially be the next big thing in the world of movies. The series revolves around Pit, an angel unable to fly, on a journey through a mythology-inspired world alongside the goddess Palutena. With its significant presence in recent Super Smash Bros. games, the storyline of Kid Icarus: Uprising seems tailor-made for a captivating movie adaptation.

Xenoblade Chronicles

Shulk, Pyra & Mythra

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition Shulk and Monado - Shulk, Pyra & Mythra

The Xenoblade Chronicles franchise, a recent success for Nintendo, holds great potential for a movie adaptation. Each of the three mainline games is rich in story and lore, making them ideal source material for a Xenoblade Chronicles film. The franchise has already been featured prominently in the Super Smash Bros. series, reflecting its popularity among fans. It seems inevitable that a Xenoblade Chronicles movie will be in the works soon.

Street Fighter

Ryu, Ken

A close up still of Ryu in Street Fighter 6 - Ryu, Ken

Although Street Fighter is a series developed by Capcom, its significance to the Super Smash Bros. franchise cannot be overstated. The inclusion of characters like Ryu and Ken in later installments of Super Smash Bros. underscores the importance of paying homage to the iconic fighting game series. Past Street Fighter movies have been produced, and the idea of a new Street Fighter movie could not only follow the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie but also lay the foundation for a shared universe with Super Smash Bros.

Editor's P/S:

The article offers an exciting vision for a Super Smash Bros. shared universe, building on the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It explores the potential for beloved Nintendo franchises like Kirby, Fire Emblem, and EarthBound to be adapted into films, capturing the essence of these iconic characters and their significance within the Super Smash Bros. universe. The prospect of seeing these franchises come to life on the big screen holds immense appeal for Nintendo fans, offering a chance to delve deeper into their favorite worlds and witness their cherished characters in a new dimension.

However, the article also highlights the challenges involved in creating a successful shared universe. It emphasizes the need for a careful balance between individual franchise identities and the overarching narrative of the Super Smash Bros. universe. Furthermore, the article acknowledges the importance of maintaining the quality and consistency of the films, ensuring that each adaptation respects the source material while also offering a unique cinematic experience. With a vast array of beloved characters and franchises to draw upon, the Super Smash Bros. shared universe has the potential to become a truly groundbreaking venture in the world of cinematic adaptations.