Super Mario Galaxy Movie officially crosses a major box office milestone

Image: Illumination, Nintendo

Ten weeks into its theatrical run, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has officially crossed the $1 billion threshold at the global box office, according to reports from Deadline. While it hasn’t quite reached the staggering $1.36 billion benchmark set by its predecessor, 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the film currently stands as the highest-earning release of 2026, data from Box Office Mojo confirms.

This billion-dollar achievement was largely anticipated by market analysts, even if the trajectory appeared slightly uncertain in the preceding weeks. The film enjoyed a robust opening, pulling in $190.1 million domestically during its April debut, setting the stage for its eventual long-term success.

With this financial milestone secured, a third installment in the cinematic Mario franchise feels inevitable. While Nintendo and Illumination have an undisclosed project slated for 2028—potentially a direct sequel—the expansive scope of Galaxy suggests a pivot. By integrating diverse elements like Star Fox’s Fox McCloud and the world of Pikmin, the studio has opened the door for standalone character films or expanded narrative spinoffs.

Despite its commercial triumph, the film faced a cooler reception from critics compared to the first movie. It currently holds a 49% score on Rotten Tomatoes, sitting notably lower than the original’s 59% rating. As noted in our review, while the film is packed with decades of nostalgic references and vibrant, high-fidelity visuals, the narrative often feels thin and overstuffed with cameos from across the Nintendo library, lacking the focused charm of the first outing.

Looking ahead, Nintendo is set to pivot to live-action territory with their adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, arriving in theaters on April 30, 2027. Directed by Wes Ball, the feature will spotlight Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is currently available for purchase on digital platforms and will be released on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on June 16.

Source: Polygon