Nintendo confirms Super Mario Galaxy Movie, a space-themed sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, releasing April 3, 2026.
Title and Release Date Revealed
Nintendo has officially confirmed that its follow-up to 2023’s blockbuster The Super Mario Bros. Movie will be titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The animated sequel will release in cinemas worldwide on April 3, 2026, from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment.
The name draws directly from the acclaimed 2007 Wii game Super Mario Galaxy, signalling a shift from the Mushroom Kingdom’s familiar landscapes to the cosmic reaches of outer space.
The reveal came during a special Nintendo Direct presentation, timed to build excitement ahead of the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. (1985).
First Teaser Teases a Cosmic Setting
Nintendo opened the Direct with a brief teaser for the film. It began with a serene shot of Mario sleeping under a tree near Princess Peach’s castle, before the camera slowly tilted skyward and soared into space.
The teaser then cut to short glimpses of returning characters, including Monty Mole tunnelling underground, Cheep Cheeps leaping through a stream, and groups of Toads hurrying about the castle courtyard.
While the teaser offered no dialogue or plot details, the spaceward pan heavily implies that Mario will leave the Mushroom Kingdom and venture beyond his home world — mirroring the premise of the Super Mario Galaxy game, which saw Mario travel between planets using Launch Stars.
Returning Voice Cast Confirmed
Illumination has confirmed that the original all-star voice cast is returning for the sequel. This includes:
- 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
Their return ensures continuity and chemistry with the first film, which many praised for its colourful energy and comedic timing. While Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong was not shown in the teaser, his appearance is widely expected given the character’s role in the previous film.
The First Film’s Billion-Dollar Success
Released in April 2023, The Super Mario Bros. Movie became a global phenomenon, grossing $1.36 billion worldwide.
It surpassed Warcraft and Detective Pikachu to become the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time, and currently stands as the fifth highest-grossing animated film ever, behind Ne Zha 2, Inside Out 2, The Lion King, and Frozen 2.
The original film followed Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi as they were transported to the mystical Mushroom Kingdom, where Mario teamed up with Peach, Toad and Donkey Kong to rescue Luigi from the villainous Bowser.
While The Super Mario Bros. Movie has set a new benchmark for video game adaptations, it follows in the footsteps of earlier attempts to bring games to the big screen. Films like Street Fighter (1994) and Mortal Kombat (1995) were among the first major video game movies, introducing the concept to mainstream audiences and laying the groundwork for the genre’s eventual resurgence decades later.
Nintendo Expands Its Movie Universe
Nintendo has made clear it intends to build a broader film universe around its iconic franchises. Beyond Mario, the company is partnering with Sony Pictures to bring a live-action Legend of Zelda movie to the big screen. Directed by Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), the film is slated for release on March 26, 2027, and will star Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda alongside Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link.
With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on the way in 2026 and The Legend of Zelda following in 2027, Nintendo is positioning its characters for a long-term presence in cinemas.
What We Might See in Super Mario Galaxy Movie
While plot details are still under wraps, fans are already speculating about which elements of the Super Mario Galaxy game could make the jump to the big screen. The game introduced Rosalina, the mysterious guardian of the cosmos, and her adorable star-like companions known as Lumas — both of which are expected to appear.
Audiences may also see new themed planets inspired by the game’s level design, gravity-defying platforming sequences, and spacefaring vehicles or Launch Stars that carry Mario between worlds. If Illumination embraces the game’s orchestral music and sweeping cosmic tone, this sequel could feel far more epic and adventurous than its predecessor.