Blab Entertainment
Nintendos Shigeru Miyamoto Says Mario Movies Will Stay Clean, Leaves Door Open for Wario
When Nintendo’s creative chief Shigeru Miyamoto stepped up to the microphone, he didn’t just talk about the next big blockbuster—he set a tone for an entire franchise. In a recent interview with NintendoLife, Miyamoto explained why the company’s Mario films will eschew cheap, dirty jokes in favor of high‑energy action that speaks to both kids and adults.
"I think of children as adults, they just don’t have as much knowledge yet," Miyamoto said. "That’s why I don’t want to make them laugh with dirty jokes, and I’ve even given Chris a ban on dirty jokes. Oh, that doesn’t mean Wario won’t be in it, though." The comment underscores a clear strategy: treat young viewers as capable, intelligent audiences who deserve clean, engaging storytelling.
The remarks arrive while The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the franchise’s second animated instalment, continues its theatrical run. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and written by Matthew Fogel, the film opened in the United States on April 1 2026 under Universal Pictures’ banner. It follows Mario, Luigi, and their friends as they voyage through space to confront Bowser, Bowser Jr., and rescue Princess Rosalina.
Opening day revenue hit $34 million, eclipsing the $31.7 million debut of the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie. By the end of day two, the film had amassed $122.1 million worldwide. With a production budget of $110 million, the movie has crossed the $1 billion threshold, earning $1.006 billion globally. It now stands as the highest‑grossing film of 2026 and the second‑most‑successful video‑game‑based feature after its predecessor.
Nintendo’s focus for the series has always leaned toward spectacle, kinetic energy, and vibrant world‑building rather than edgy humor. Miyamoto elaborated that action is a universal language, one that adults and children can both grasp. "Action is something that both adults and children can understand equally, so I think if we make it with action as the main focus, we can create a film that won’t be boring," he added.
While the studio has ruled out crude jokes, Miyamoto left a Wario cameo on the table. The character first appeared in 1992’s Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins as a twisted mirror of Mario and has since headlined the Wario Land and WarioWare series. Wario’s humor often leans toward gross‑out comedy—a style Miyamoto said he’s not keen on bringing to the big screen. Nevertheless, he suggested that Wario could be portrayed as a physical, over‑the‑top antagonist without relying on crudeness, fitting neatly into the film’s action‑driven tone.
The production itself is a collaboration between Illumination and Nintendo. Prior to the 2023 film’s release, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri was asked about a sequel, and the studio confirmed a new animated Mario film in March 2024. The premiere took place at Kyoto’s Minami‑za theater on March 28 2026.
Nintendo has also expanded the franchise on hardware, releasing Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 for the Switch in January 2026. In a quirky marketing tie‑in, the company partnered with Old Spice to launch a line of personal‑care products bearing the film’s title.
The movie remains in theaters, and fans are already speculating about its digital debut. While the exact release date on streaming platforms has not been announced, the film’s robust box‑office performance and the enduring popularity of the Mario brand suggest a home‑video release is imminent.
In short, Miyamoto’s comments reaffirm Nintendo’s commitment to family‑friendly storytelling. The company will keep its Mario movies free of dirty jokes while still delivering high‑octane action. A Wario cameo remains a possibility, but any appearance would be grounded in physical comedy rather than crass humor. With the franchise’s commercial success and a steady stream of related titles, the animated Mario universe is poised for continued expansion.
"I think of children as adults, they just don’t have as much knowledge yet," Miyamoto said. "That’s why I don’t want to make them laugh with dirty jokes, and I’ve even given Chris a ban on dirty jokes. Oh, that doesn’t mean Wario won’t be in it, though." The comment underscores a clear strategy: treat young viewers as capable, intelligent audiences who deserve clean, engaging storytelling.
The remarks arrive while The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the franchise’s second animated instalment, continues its theatrical run. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and written by Matthew Fogel, the film opened in the United States on April 1 2026 under Universal Pictures’ banner. It follows Mario, Luigi, and their friends as they voyage through space to confront Bowser, Bowser Jr., and rescue Princess Rosalina.
Opening day revenue hit $34 million, eclipsing the $31.7 million debut of the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie. By the end of day two, the film had amassed $122.1 million worldwide. With a production budget of $110 million, the movie has crossed the $1 billion threshold, earning $1.006 billion globally. It now stands as the highest‑grossing film of 2026 and the second‑most‑successful video‑game‑based feature after its predecessor.
Nintendo’s focus for the series has always leaned toward spectacle, kinetic energy, and vibrant world‑building rather than edgy humor. Miyamoto elaborated that action is a universal language, one that adults and children can both grasp. "Action is something that both adults and children can understand equally, so I think if we make it with action as the main focus, we can create a film that won’t be boring," he added.
While the studio has ruled out crude jokes, Miyamoto left a Wario cameo on the table. The character first appeared in 1992’s Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins as a twisted mirror of Mario and has since headlined the Wario Land and WarioWare series. Wario’s humor often leans toward gross‑out comedy—a style Miyamoto said he’s not keen on bringing to the big screen. Nevertheless, he suggested that Wario could be portrayed as a physical, over‑the‑top antagonist without relying on crudeness, fitting neatly into the film’s action‑driven tone.
The production itself is a collaboration between Illumination and Nintendo. Prior to the 2023 film’s release, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri was asked about a sequel, and the studio confirmed a new animated Mario film in March 2024. The premiere took place at Kyoto’s Minami‑za theater on March 28 2026.
Nintendo has also expanded the franchise on hardware, releasing Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 for the Switch in January 2026. In a quirky marketing tie‑in, the company partnered with Old Spice to launch a line of personal‑care products bearing the film’s title.
The movie remains in theaters, and fans are already speculating about its digital debut. While the exact release date on streaming platforms has not been announced, the film’s robust box‑office performance and the enduring popularity of the Mario brand suggest a home‑video release is imminent.
In short, Miyamoto’s comments reaffirm Nintendo’s commitment to family‑friendly storytelling. The company will keep its Mario movies free of dirty jokes while still delivering high‑octane action. A Wario cameo remains a possibility, but any appearance would be grounded in physical comedy rather than crass humor. With the franchise’s commercial success and a steady stream of related titles, the animated Mario universe is poised for continued expansion.
