Nintendo's future in animation is looking bright after the wild success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While no plans have been announced yet regarding the video game company's future film plans, many Nintendo fans are eager to see which franchise gets an animated film next. One of the big ones fans are clamoring for is an animated The Legend of Zelda film.
As one of Nintendo's more story-driven franchises, there will be high expectations for a film based on The Legend of Zelda. Fortunately, there are plenty of stellar games in the series to draw from, especially when it comes to their narratives or plot devices. These eight Zelda games would be ideal to reference in an animated movie for hardcore fans of the franchise.
8 Ocarina Of Time
When it comes to The Legend of Zelda stories, you can't go wrong with a lot of the elements from the Nintendo 64's Ocarina of Time. As well as being one of the greatest video games ever made, it contains many elements that return throughout the franchise's future. Link begins as a young boy living in the forest who is called upon to save Hyrule from evil.
Additionally, there are characters and story elements that are simply essential for an animated Zelda film, from the use of time travel to Princess Zelda's warrior alter ego Sheik, and even characters like Saria, Ganondorf, and the Great Deku Tree. Ocarina of Time is probably the best candidate for a stellar coming-of-age animated movie by Illumination.
7 Majora's Mask
Of course, there are also lots of fans who'd love to see elements from Majora's Mask make it onto the big screen in one way or another. Compared to Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask contains a lot more horror elements, which would definitely make it a much more mature animated film than the light-hearted nature of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Nevertheless, Majora's Mask includes one of the most iconic Zelda villains, Skull Kid, who becomes possessed by the titular mask and threatens to destroy the land of Termina. While the lack of Hyrule and Princess Zelda herself may squash its chances, it could be the perfect choice if The Legend of Zelda's animated movie warrants a sequel.
6 Skyward Sword
Given that an animated movie of The Legend of Zelda would be introducing the franchise to those unfamiliar with the series, perhaps it's best to start at the beginning. The Nintendo Wii title Skyward Sword was significant for establishing itself as the first entry in the much-debated Zelda timeline. Its storyline also re-introduces many of the series' core elements.
That being said, Skyward Sword is far from a fan-favorite of the series, even though it includes the fan-favorite character of Groose. Plus, the lack of Ganon being present in place of his predecessor, Demise, probably hurts its chances, too. Although, establishing Fi as the spirit of the Master Sword in any film would be a nice homage to the series.
5 A Link To The Past
Similar to Skyward Sword, Super Nintendo's A Link to the Past might be a good way to introduce the franchise to new fans. It contains many story elements that are already emotional enough for a feature film, including the death of Link's uncle, his telepathic connection to Princess Zelda, and the existence of a darker, parallel world.
Additionally, A Link to the Past may be a clever way to introduce Ganon, through the villainous wizard Agahnim who threatens to unleash the sealed Ganon upon Hyrule. This may also be the perfect entry to establish the dynamics of Hyrule as a kingdom, which is a narrative feature that's noticeably absent in many other entries of the series.
4 The Minish Cap
Part of what makes The Super Mario Bros. Movie a success is how it appeals to both fans of the franchise and kids who are being introduced to the plumbers for the first time. If Illumination and Nintendo decided to take this approach, perhaps a game like The Minish Cap would be a good choice to inspire an animated The Legend of Zelda film.
Along with its more cartoonish aesthetic, The Minish Cap centers on a race of tiny people known as the Picori, while also establishing Link as Princess Zelda's personal protector. The introduction of Vaati as the main villain would also make for an ideal way to surprise fans who might be expecting Ganon as the antagonist of an animated The Legend of Zelda.
3 The Wind Waker
The Wind Waker is another one of the more beloved entries in The Legend of Zelda, this time around focusing on Link exploring a sunken Hyrule via seafaring. It features many elements from the series that could translate into an animated film, from Link's family to the presence of Ganondorf, and even Zelda's alternate form, Tetra the pirate.
Particularly, The Wind Waker is also one of the more kid-friendly entries in the series, compared to some of its more mature successors. One can easily imagine getting lost in a world like the Great Sea on the big screen, while slowly learning about how the once-great kingdom of Hyrule became lost underwater and frozen in time.
2 Twilight Princess
When it comes to Zelda titles that are already incredibly cinematic, Twilight Princess is one of the most significant. It strongly resembles a lot of how Ocarina of Time begins, with Link as a simple farmhand whose village is struck by monsters that come from the Twilight Realm. Along his adventure, he discovers that the kingdom of Hyrule itself has been overtaken.
Where Twilight Princess may lose its appeal as an animated film is how dark and mature its storyline is, especially with the addition of characters like Zant, Midna, and Ganondorf. However, fans of the franchise would certainly eat it up, even if Illumination has to temper some of its aspects that might alarm parents of small children going to see it.
1 Breath Of The Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is considered by many to be one of the greatest video games in recent history. As well as giving the player a vast, open Hyrule to explore at their leisure, it also has a loose story incorporating many elements from across the Zelda franchise that could easily be adapted into a more structured animated film.
Given that Tears of the Kingdom is continuing the story from Breath of the Wild, it's fair to say that Nintendo may see these two titles as the best to pull from in an animated Zelda universe. Not only do they incorporate many characters, ideas, and story elements from previous entries, but they feel most like what Zelda was always meant to be.