If you’ve noticed Nintendo making bigger moves in theaters than on your Switch lately, you’re not alone. The company behind Mario and Zelda is strategically expanding into films, and Shigeru Miyamoto recently explained the thinking behind this shift. However, what was initially reported missed some crucial context.

The Heart of Nintendo’s New Strategy

Recent reports suggested that Miyamoto told Kyodo News that “Games eventually stop running when newer versions come out, but films remain forever.” This statement spread quickly across social media and gaming news outlets, sparking widespread discussion .

However, an important update later emerged. Bluesky user Erasu discovered that Kyodo News had taken a small quote from a much larger, older interview Miyamoto gave to Nintendo Dream magazine about the Nintendo Museum . The original context was quite different.

In the actual Nintendo Dream interview, Miyamoto explained: “Ultimately what people remember are the IPs. Games become obsolete when new versions come out. But that’s incredibly sad.” He continued, “We started video production partly because of that sadness – seeing our creations become playable only on Virtual Console” .

This revelation shifts the perspective from a purely business-driven decision to a more philosophical one about preserving Nintendo’s creative legacy.

Nintendo’s Growing Entertainment Slate

Despite the misquotation, Nintendo’s commitment to films is very real. The company has an ambitious lineup coming to theaters:

Movie Title	Format	Release Year
The Super Mario Bros. Movie Sequel	Animated	2026
The Legend of Zelda	Live-action	2027

This cinematic push began with the massively successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023, which kicked off this new strategic direction .

Miyamoto’s Evolving Role at Nintendo

Miyamoto’s focus has noticeably shifted within Nintendo. As an Executive Fellow, he’s less involved in day-to-day game development and now concentrates on expanding Nintendo’s IP into new media . Beyond films, he has played a pivotal role in developing the Super Nintendo World theme parks at Universal Studios locations worldwide .

His hands-on approach to these projects remains thorough. During the development of Super Nintendo World, Miyamoto worked closely with designers to create truly interactive experiences, even worrying initially about whether guests would feel genuinely immersed in the Mushroom Kingdom .

More Than Just Movies

Nintendo’s strategy extends beyond films. The upcoming Nintendo Museum, set to open in Kyoto, represents another facet of preserving the company’s history. Miyamoto’s comments about game preservation through video production were originally made in the context of this museum, highlighting how different initiatives connect .

As Miyamoto himself stated: “I always say that my theme is ‘creating reasons for people to choose Nintendo.’” This philosophy seems to drive all of Nintendo’s recent expansions—from theme parks to films to museums .

A Lasting Legacy

The initial misquote about games being temporary while films last forever contained a kernel of truth about preservation, but missed Miyamoto’s deeper point. His drive comes from ensuring that the worlds and characters he created remain accessible and meaningful to audiences through multiple mediums—not just games, but through films, theme parks, and museums that can introduce these IPs to new generations .

What do you think about Nintendo’s expansion into movies and theme parks? Let us know in the comments below.

This article was corrected to reflect the proper context of Miyamoto’s comments, which were originally given in an interview about the Nintendo Museum.

Source: This post was adapted from NintendoEverything with significant corrections and additional context from GamesRadar and other sources .

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