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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Becomes First 2026 Film to Pass $1 Billion at the Box Office
In a landmark moment for the year, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has vaulted past the $1 billion mark worldwide, becoming the first 2026 release to reach that echelon. Deadline.com reported that the milestone was achieved in the film’s tenth weekend on the big screen.
The picture raked in $428.5 million across the United States and Canada, while $571.5 million flowed in from international markets, pushing the worldwide total past the billion‑dollar threshold. Variety highlighted the film’s $110 million production budget, noting that the robust domestic and overseas earnings underscore its global appeal.
Illumination brought the project to life in partnership with Nintendo, with Universal Pictures handling distribution. The creative team, as listed on the film’s Wikipedia page, saw Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic return to the director’s chair, while Matthew Fogel penned the screenplay. Voice talent from the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie—Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor‑Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Keegan‑Michael Key—rejoined the cast, joined by fresh voices like Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Glen Powell, and Brie Larson. The film premiered at Kyoto’s Minami‑za theater on March 28, 2026, and rolled out across U.S. cinemas on April 1, 2026.
The franchise now sits ninth among animated series by box‑office revenue, with the two Mario titles amassing $2.30 billion collectively. Illumination’s other properties occupy the upper eight ranks: Despicable Me ($5.64 billion, six films), Shrek ($3.98 billion, six films), Toy Story ($3.28 billion, five films), Ice Age ($3.22 billion, five films), Zootopia ($2.89 billion, two films), Frozen ($2.73 billion, two films), Inside Out ($2.56 billion, two films), and Kung Fu Panda ($2.37 billion, four films). Among video‑game‑based films, the Mario movies rank second in earnings, trailing only their predecessor.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has signaled that the company remains receptive to further animated adaptations should the first installment continue its success. Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri was questioned about a sequel prior to the 2023 release, and a new Mario film was announced in March 2024. The recent box‑office triumph could expedite plans for additional entries.
Today, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie stands as the top‑earning film of 2026 and the second‑highest‑grossing video‑game adaptation overall. Illumination’s forthcoming lineup features Minions & Monsters, scheduled for a July 1, 2026 debut. While no definitive release date has been announced for a third Mario installment, the ongoing collaboration between Illumination, Nintendo, and Universal hints that more projects are likely in the works.
The picture raked in $428.5 million across the United States and Canada, while $571.5 million flowed in from international markets, pushing the worldwide total past the billion‑dollar threshold. Variety highlighted the film’s $110 million production budget, noting that the robust domestic and overseas earnings underscore its global appeal.
Illumination brought the project to life in partnership with Nintendo, with Universal Pictures handling distribution. The creative team, as listed on the film’s Wikipedia page, saw Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic return to the director’s chair, while Matthew Fogel penned the screenplay. Voice talent from the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie—Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor‑Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Keegan‑Michael Key—rejoined the cast, joined by fresh voices like Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Glen Powell, and Brie Larson. The film premiered at Kyoto’s Minami‑za theater on March 28, 2026, and rolled out across U.S. cinemas on April 1, 2026.
The franchise now sits ninth among animated series by box‑office revenue, with the two Mario titles amassing $2.30 billion collectively. Illumination’s other properties occupy the upper eight ranks: Despicable Me ($5.64 billion, six films), Shrek ($3.98 billion, six films), Toy Story ($3.28 billion, five films), Ice Age ($3.22 billion, five films), Zootopia ($2.89 billion, two films), Frozen ($2.73 billion, two films), Inside Out ($2.56 billion, two films), and Kung Fu Panda ($2.37 billion, four films). Among video‑game‑based films, the Mario movies rank second in earnings, trailing only their predecessor.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has signaled that the company remains receptive to further animated adaptations should the first installment continue its success. Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri was questioned about a sequel prior to the 2023 release, and a new Mario film was announced in March 2024. The recent box‑office triumph could expedite plans for additional entries.
Today, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie stands as the top‑earning film of 2026 and the second‑highest‑grossing video‑game adaptation overall. Illumination’s forthcoming lineup features Minions & Monsters, scheduled for a July 1, 2026 debut. While no definitive release date has been announced for a third Mario installment, the ongoing collaboration between Illumination, Nintendo, and Universal hints that more projects are likely in the works.
