Super Mario Galaxy Movie: Nintendo announces 2026 sequel title and release date

Nintendo has officially titled the sequel to "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" as "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," with a theatrical release scheduled for April 3, 2026. Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment will distribute the animated film. The official title announcement occurred during Friday's, September 12, Nintendo Direct presentation, coinciding with the approaching 40th anniversary of the original "Super Mario Bros." video game released September 13, 1985. The movie draws its name from Nintendo's 2007 Wii game "Super Mario Galaxy."

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A teaser trailer accompanied the title reveal, showing Mario sleeping beneath a tree with Princess Peach's castle visible in the background. The camera movement toward space featured brief appearances of various Nintendo characters including Monty Mole, Cheep Cheeps, and Toads.

Original voice cast returns for Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The complete voice cast from the first Super Mario Bros. Movie will reprise their roles in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie:

• Chris Pratt as Mario
  
• Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
  
• Charlie Day as Luigi
  
• Jack Black as Bowser
  
• Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
  
• Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
  

Universal and Illumination confirmed the return of all principal voice actors for the Nintendo sequel.

Super Mario Bros. Movie Box office success and records

The original Super Mario Bros. Movie, released in April 2023, achieved significant commercial success with a worldwide gross of $1.36 billion. The film became the highest-grossing video game adaptation in cinema history.

The animated Nintendo adaptation currently ranks as the fifth highest-grossing animated film ever, trailing "Ne Zha 2," "Inside Out 2," "The Lion King," and "Frozen 2." The box office performance established the foundation for the Super Mario Galaxy Movie sequel.

Nintendo Movie franchise expansion plans

The original Super Mario Bros. Movie follows Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi after their transportation to the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario teams with Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong to rescue Luigi from Bowser.

Nintendo has expanded its film partnerships beyond the Super Mario franchise. The company collaborated with Sony Pictures for "The Legend of Zelda" movie, scheduled for release March 26, 2027. Wes Ball will direct the Zelda adaptation, with Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link.

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Super Mario Galaxy video game source material

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes inspiration from Nintendo's acclaimed 2007 Wii title "Super Mario Galaxy." The original video game featured Mario's adventures across various planets and galaxies, introducing gravity-based gameplay mechanics that distinguished it from previous Super Mario titles.

The space-themed setting suggested in the movie teaser aligns with the cosmic adventure elements that defined the Super Mario Galaxy video game series.

Universal and Illumination animation partnership

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment continue their partnership with Nintendo for the Super Mario Galaxy Movie production. The collaboration builds on the technical and creative success achieved with the first Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The April 3, 2026 release date positions the Super Mario Galaxy Movie for potential spring box office success, following the seasonal strategy that contributed to the original film's commercial performance.