Nintendo has always been the face of gaming, but with the company now dabbling in movies, they’re establishing themselves as a real powerhouse company cinematically. Both The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie killed it at the box office. The former is the 15th highest-grossing movie of all time, while the latter is already the highest-grossing film of 2026, beating out movies like Project Hail Mary and the Michael biopic.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is still breaking new records in its theatrical run, proving that there’s a real demand for video game film adaptations and nostalgic IPs. Long gone are the days of video game movies bombing at the box office and releasing to disastrous reviews. Super Mario Galaxy‘s success is proof that video game studios can successfully break into the movie sphere, and an iconic PlayStation franchise deserves a chance to become one of Mario’s biggest rivals yet again.
The Legend of Zelda Movie Gets New Release Date
In a rare twist of fate, The Legend of Zelda movie has been pushed up rather than suffering the fate of delays that befall so many Zelda games.
The Mario & Sonic Movies Are Proof 90s Mascots Are Bigger Than Ever
It’s Time for Crash Bandicoot to Crash the Party on the Big Screen
The success of the Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchises are proof of the power of nostalgia. While the Mario movies released to mixed reviews, all three Sonic movies have been well received and there’s a lot of anticipation building for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which’ll adapt elements of Sonic CD. 90s mascots haven’t been this big since the 90s, and Crash Bandicoot was right up there with Mario and Sonic back in the day (and even more popular than the Blue Blur for a hot minute).
Like both Mario and Sonic, the Crash Bandicoot series is filled with a colorful cast of characters, a lush world, and cartoony sensibilities that would translate perfectly to film. Being a PlayStation franchise, Crash Bandicoot was always more cinematic than other platformers in the 90s, featuring dynamic camera angles and fully voiced cutscenes. The PS1 games also did a good job of keeping the tone light while still telling a coherent story with continuity and interesting lore hidden in the background.
The Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy is still moving copies nearly a decade since the remake’s release, proving that there’s very much an audience for the bandicoot. Sony can take advantage of Crash’s inherently funnier world and edgier sense of humor and style relative to Super Mario Bros. and Sonic. So long as Sony sticks to the stories of the original cast, Crash’s cast is more than fresh enough to carry a film on their own – but they wouldn’t have to be alone. Crash needs to take a page out of Mario‘s book and celebrate PlayStation the same way Nintendo’s done with their other IPs in the Galaxy movie.
A Crash Cinematic Universe Can Finally Do PlayStation All-Stars Justice
Crash Opens the Door For Spyro, Sly Cooper, & More
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was an admirable attempt at Sony trying to compete with Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. franchise, but was ultimately held back by its roster. What was meant to be a celebration of the PlayStation lacked several iconic characters who helped define the PS1’s legacy. Getting characters like Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid and Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII was always going to be an uphill battle, but Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon.
In the same way the Super Mario Bros. movies are creating a soft Super Smash Bros. cinematic universe with the inclusion of Donkey Kong, Fox McCloud, R.O.B., and Mr. Game & Watch, a Crash Bandicoot movie can do the same for PlayStation’s legendary roster of characters. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time already established a multiverse for the series, which can easily be used as a jumping off point to have Crash crossover with the likes of Spyro, Sly Cooper, Parappa the Rapper, and even PlayStation newcomers like Astro Bot. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale‘s roster was ultimately too focused on Sony’s more mature and serious IPs like God of War, Uncharted, Infamous, and Twisted Metal.
Crash Bandicoot is a series that appeals to all ages, and pairs naturally with other PlayStation mascots. Crash Bandicoot was a legitimate competitor for Mario back in the day, and a Crash Cinematic Universe could beat Nintendo at their own game by catering to a different brand of nostalgia that’ll still resonate with audiences around the world. Plus, a Crash movie could revive dead franchises and encourage studios like Sucker Punch to make another Sly Cooper game. Too many great PlayStation IPs have been dormant for too long, and Crash can be the key to bringing them back for a new audience.
