By Kayla DeKraker
We still have a few weeks before THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE releases, but it already looks like it’ll be a major hit.
Early box office forecasts predict a huge debut in theaters, and some believe the animated flick could earn more than $160 million domestically during its five-day opening period, potentially making it one of the biggest launches of 2026.
The movie is the sequel to 2023’s THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE, which earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide. Because of that success, expectations for the new installment are extremely high, and Box Office Pro suggests that THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE’s opening will be higher than THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE.
If the predictions are accurate, THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE will follow a growing trend of sequels being more successful that the originals.
Box Office Pro compared several other instances where this has happened:
- MOANA 2 ($139.7M domestic opening) vs. MOANA ($56.6M)
- SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 ($72.1M) vs. SONIC THE HEDGEHOGg ($58M)
- ZOOTOPIA 2 ($100.2M) vs. ZOOTOPIA ($75M)
- JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL ($59.2M) vs. JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE ($36.1M)
Related: SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE Becomes Top-Grossing Movie of 2023 with $500 Million
The movie follows Mario as he “ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.”
It stars Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and Jack Black.
Fan reactions to the trailer seem to suggest that the predictions are right.
“I have high expectations for this movie; I hope it’s much better than the last one because I loved the trailers,” one person said. Another added, “This movie is gonna be out of this world.” “Literally counting down the days!” someone else said.
2023’s THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE received a Movieguide® Teddy Bear Award® thanks to its redemptive themes.
Movieguide®’s review reads, “THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (2023) has a strong moral message about brotherhood, sacrifice, and working together to overcome evil. The movie has breathtaking animation that honors its iconic source material while breathing new life into the large cast of characters from both Mario video games and other Nintendo games of the same universe. For Mario and Luigi, love for one another helps them overcome their deepest fears and stand up against Bowser and his army of Koopas, Goombas, and Piranha Plants.”
Movieguide® notes, “Due to some intense animated action/violence, Movieguide® advises caution for younger children.”
THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE is set to release to theaters April 1, and that’s no April Fool’s joke.
Read Next: What You Need to Know About THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE
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