Nintendo has finally revealed the title of its long-awaited live-action film adaptation, confirming that the movie will simply be called The Legend of Zelda. After teasing fans with a handful of images earlier this year, the Kyoto-based publisher provided just one new piece of information: the final name for the project, which is set to hit theaters on April 30, 2027.
The announcement came courtesy of series creator Shigeru Miyamoto, who appeared briefly to share that the film will carry no subtitle. He noted that audiences would understand the reasoning once they had seen the finished product, and he declined to reveal any additional imagery or a trailer at this time.
A Deliberately Simple Title
Miyamoto emphasized that the project represents an original story drawn from decades of franchise history rather than a retelling of any single game. He pointed directly to the absence of a subtitle as something intentional, suggesting it reflects the scope and ambition of the film.
“Once you’ve seen the film, you’ll understand why there isn’t a subtitle,” Miyamoto said. “This is an original film based on the many stories, ideas, and concepts of the series, built up through the years for 40 years. Through the creative power and visual expertise of the talented production team, it’s become an artistic work worthy of the Legend of Zelda series.”
Shigeru Miyamoto, The Legend of Zelda creator
The film stars Bo Bragason in the role of Zelda, with Benjamin Evan Ainsworth cast as Link. Nintendo has kept details about the plot deliberately close to its chest, and no further images have been released beyond the initial teasers.
A New Director for a Beloved Franchise
The project is being directed by Wes Ball, best known for directing Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. This marks the first live-action film based on a Nintendo property since the widely panned Super Mario Bros. movie arrived in theaters in 1993.
Ball has previously spoken about his vision for the adaptation, saying he wants to bring Studio Ghibli aesthetics to the project while also grounding the fantasy adventure with a sense of realism. The approach signals an attempt to balance the whimsical tone fans associate with the series against a more grounded visual style.
Filming for the Zelda movie, as noted by Filming for the Zelda movie, began in November 2025 in New Zealand. The country is home to the landscapes where Peter Jackson shot his legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy, offering a fitting backdrop for an epic fantasy production. Shooting wrapped in April 2026.
Looking Ahead
Nintendo has set a theatrical release date of May 2027 for The Legend of Zelda movie, though earlier reports pointed to a slightly different window. With filming already complete, the studio now faces the task of building anticipation ahead of the film’s debut.
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