It feels like for years we have been saying that, waiting, hoping, praying for an adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. The popular Nintendo franchise has been around for decades, with several iterations and sequels, and characters that people have only continued to fall deeper in love with over time.
So, of course, when some of the best video game adaptations began coming out over the last decade, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie, A Minecraft Movie, and the Sonic film franchise, it seemed like a Zelda big-screen adventure was a matter of when instead of if. Well, now that’s happening. Like for real, and not just some fan film or April Fool’s Day trick. Here’s everything we know about The Legend of Zelda so far…
What Is The Legend Of Zelda Release Date?
There are so many upcoming video game adaptations, but do you want to know the best part about the Legend of Zelda movie? We actually have a confirmed release date! According to Deadline, The Legend of Zelda movie, a live-action adaptation, is set to release on May 7, 2027.
Yes, I know that's nearly years away, a little less than if you want to get specific with it, but honestly, that’s fine with me. The 2025 movie schedule is packed to the brim, and personally, the 2026 movie schedule is too, with some major releases scheduled for that time.
The Legend Of Zelda Cast
After much fan speculation, which included folks calling for Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer playing the titular princess, Nintendo finally announced the Legend of Zelda cast in July 2025. In a post from the official Nintendo X account, company and video game legend Shigeru Miyamoto announced that Bo Bragason would be taking on the role of Princess Zelda while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth would be playing Link.
The post even included what appears to be early first-look images of the young actors, which should have fans either ecstatic or irrationally upset, depending on how you look at it. One thing the post didn’t reveal is who will be playing Ganondorf in the upcoming live-action movie, or if the series' big bad will appear at all.
What Is The Legend Of Zelda About?
The Legend of Zelda franchise primarily follows Princess Zelda, the ruler of the land of Hyrule, and her loyal protector, the knight and friend Link. In most iterations of the game, no matter what, it often involves Link traveling to some point to take down one of the most iconic video game villains of all time, Ganondorf, to save Hyrule, as well as Zelda in some way.
However, in many later games, Zelda has proven herself quite powerful. In fact, in Tears of the Kingdom, it feels as if she’s more the main character than Link, even though we never play as the princess herself.
This series has been going on since 1986. That’s right, it will be over forty years old by the time the movie comes out. There have been various versions of Link and Zelda during that time, but all boil down to the two of them and their connection. And honestly? What a perfect setting for an upcoming video game adaptation, because they could do so much with these two.
When Can We Expect A Legend Of Zelda Trailer?
One question that comes up a lot is: “When will we see The Legend of Zelda trailer in action?” Well, considering Nintendo and Sony Pictures haven’t announced a start of production (or the rest of the cast), it’ll probably be some time before we see any footage outside of a title card in the near future. However, with a new Mario movie on the way, maybe that’ll change next spring.
Wes Ball Is Directing
Another confirmation, as reported by Deadline, is that Wes Ball is directing the live-action film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. Ball is mainly known for directing the Maze Runner films, as well as the latest addition to the Planet of the Apes movie franchise, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Ball actually spoke about the upcoming movie in an interview with Total Film Magazine in March 2024, saying that he had a great “idea” for the movie and that he genuinely wants it to be an escape for fans of the game:
I have this awesome idea. I’ve been thinking about it for a long freakin’ time, of how cool a Zelda movie would be... I want to fulfill people’s greatest desires. I know it’s important, this [Zelda] franchise, to people, and I want it to be a serious movie. A real movie that can give people an escape.
Honestly, I have a lot of faith in him, considering he has been pretty consistent with his films, so let’s hope he keeps that trend going with this one.
Another thing Deadline reported was that T.S. Nowlin is writing the script for the film. Nowlin previously worked with Ball on the Maze Runner films and wrote the scripts for Pacific Rim Uprising as well as The Adam Project on Netflix.
Shigeru Miyamoto Is Producing
The last thing we know about The Legend of Zelda movie comes right from Nintendo, and that is that Shigeru Miyamoto is also producing the film. If you don’t know who that is, he’s essentially one of the leaders over at the gaming company. His official title is Game Director, and he serves as a representative of the company. I’m pretty sure I've seen him in every single Nintendo Direct I've watched.
Oh, and he also co-created The Legend of Zelda, so that's no big deal. As well as Mario, Donkey Kong, Pikmin, and Star Fox. We are dealing with a legend here.
The fact that he is actively involved as a producer on this film is significant, as it suggests we’ll get a faithful adaptation rather than a cash grab. And for that, I am excited.
This Isn’t The Only Nintendo Movie In The Works
The Legend of Zelda isn’t the only Nintendo movie in the works, as the highly anticipated The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is slated to hit the big screen a little more than a year earlier. Currently set for an April 3, 2026, debut, the movie, based on the 2007 Wii game of the same name, will see the return of the major players from the massively successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie, including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black.
Plot details are in short supply at this point, but if it’s like the game, we’ll see Mario traveling all over the galaxy, visiting enchanting worlds, and meeting all kinds of zany characters as he attempts to save both the universe and Princess Peach from the maniacal Bowser.
How To Watch The Legend Of Zelda Animated Series
When The Legend of Zelda comes out in May 2027, it’ll be the first live-action adaptation of the popular game franchise, but it won’t be the first time Hyrule has been adapted for the screen. Though not the best Nintendo cartoon by any stretch of the imagination, this short-lived series has a certain charm. There’s a good chance diehard fans have watched this already, but if you’ve never dived into DIC’s version of the series, now’s your opportunity. All episodes are streaming (for free) over on Tubi.
Gosh, this makes me want to replay all of the Zelda games out there. I think it’s time for a gaming marathon.
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