Illumination and Nintendo have unveiled the trailer and poster for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which will be released on April 3, 2026, with Brie Larson voicing Rosalina and Benny Safdie voicing Bowser Jr. in the highly anticipated sequel. The first official trailer premiered during a Nintendo Direct presentation on November 12, 2025, giving fans their first extended look at the follow-up to 2023’s record-breaking The Super Mario Bros Movie, which earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide and became the third highest-grossing animated film of all time.
Table of Contents
The Trailer: What We Learned About The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The trailer opens with Bowser engaging in a little art therapy, which Mario can’t help but put down, showcasing their continued rivalry. From there, the action shifts dramatically into outer space, drawing heavily from the beloved The Super Mario Galaxy games originally released for Nintendo Wii in 2007 and 2010. Peach and Toad use launch stars to travel to a different planet, demonstrating the cosmic scale of this new adventure.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie Key Details
| Production Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date (US) | April 3, 2026 |
| Release Date (Japan) | April 24, 2026 |
| Directors | Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic |
| Screenplay | Matthew Fogel |
| Composer | Brian Tyler |
| Producers | Chris Meledandri (Illumination), Shigeru Miyamoto (Nintendo) |
| Production Companies | Illumination Entertainment, Nintendo |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
| Budget Split | 50/50 between Nintendo and Universal |
The trailer reveals both Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey representation, with the Sand Kingdom from Odyssey making a surprising appearance alongside classic Galaxy locations. This suggests that rather than strictly adapting the Galaxy games, Illumination and Nintendo are cherry-picking beloved elements from across Mario’s modern gaming history to create a greatest-hits experience for fans.
New Cast Members: Brie Larson and Benny Safdie Join The Mushroom Kingdom
During the Nintendo Direct, it was announced that Brie Larson will voice Rosalina and Benny Safdie will voice Bowser Jr., with Rosalina appearing as a powerful guardian who takes out a giant robot with her abilities. These additions complement the returning voice cast that made the first film such a success.
Complete Voice Cast
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Mario | Chris Pratt |
| Luigi | Charlie Day |
| Princess Peach | Anya Taylor-Joy |
| Bowser | Jack Black |
| Toad | Keegan-Michael Key |
| Kamek | Kevin Michael Richardson |
| Rosalina (NEW) | Brie Larson |
| Bowser Jr. (NEW) | Benny Safdie |
| Yoshi | To be announced |
Brie Larson has gone on record to express how much of a passionate Nintendo fan she is, going so far as to throw a boyfriend out of her house because she got so invested in Super Mario Galaxy, and has provided sponsored content for Metroid Dread while previously expressing interest in starring in a Metroid movie. Her casting as Rosalina represents a perfect match between character and performer, with Larson’s genuine passion for the source material likely to shine through in her performance.
Benny Safdie, while perhaps more notable for his directorial work on films like Uncut Gems and The Smashing Machine, brings acting credentials to Bowser Jr. that suggest a nuanced portrayal of the miniature villain following in his father’s footsteps.
The Super Mario Bros Movie: A Billion-Dollar Phenomenon
To understand the enormous expectations surrounding Super Mario Galaxy Movie, one must examine the unprecedented success of its predecessor. The Super Mario Bros Movie is not only the highest-grossing Illumination movie of all time with $1.36 billion at the global box office, but it’s also the most profitable at $559 million, besting Minions’ net of $502 million in 2015.
The Super Mario Bros Movie Box Office Performance
| Box Office Milestone | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $100 million (split 50/50) |
| Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $146.36 million (3-day) / $204.6 million (5-day) |
| Opening Weekend (Global) | $377 million (animation record) |
| Days to $1 Billion | 26 days |
| Final Domestic Gross | $574.2 million |
| Final International Gross | $786 million |
| Final Worldwide Gross | $1.36 billion |
| Net Profit | $559 million |
| All-Time Ranking | 3rd highest-grossing animated film |
The film became the 10th animated movie in history to cross $1 billion worldwide and overtook Despicable Me 2 and Minions: The Rise of Gru to become the 10th biggest animated film of all time globally. Its success wasn’t just financial—it represented cultural validation for video game adaptations after decades of failed attempts, proving that with the right creative team and respect for source material, gaming properties could dominate theatrical box office.
From Video Game To Cinema: The Super Mario Galaxy Inspiration
This new movie is taking inspiration from Super Mario Galaxy, a 2007 video game for the Nintendo Wii, and its sequel Super Mario Galaxy 2 released in 2010, which sent our favorite plumber to outer space. These games revolutionized 3D platforming by introducing gravity-defying mechanics where Mario could walk on planetoids from all angles, creating mind-bending perspective shifts that challenged players’ spatial reasoning.
The Galaxy games received universal critical acclaim, with the original earning a 97/100 on Metacritic—one of the highest-rated games of all time. Their orchestral soundtracks, composed by Mahito Yokota and Koji Kondo, elevated video game music to symphonic heights. The emotional storytelling, particularly Rosalina’s backstory revealed through storybook chapters, demonstrated that Mario games could deliver genuine pathos alongside platforming excellence.
Adapting these beloved titles to cinema presents exciting opportunities. The spherical planetoids and gravity-manipulating gameplay translate naturally to visual spectacle, while Rosalina’s tragic origin story—losing her mother and creating the Comet Observatory as her new home—provides emotional depth that the first film’s straightforward rescue plot lacked.
Production Team: The Band Gets Back Together
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie features the same co-directors from the first film back again, with Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic returning to helm the sequel. Horvath previously directed Teen Titans GO! To the Movies, while Jelenic produced multiple animated series including Teen Titans Go! and ThunderCats Roar. Their experience with comedic animation that respects source material while appealing to broad audiences made them ideal choices for Mario’s cinematic adventures.
The screenplay is again written by Matthew Fogel, who previously worked on The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part and Minions: The Rise of Gru, with Brian Tyler returning to compose the score. Tyler’s work on the first film skillfully blended classic Mario musical themes with original orchestral compositions, creating a sonic landscape that honored the games while functioning as effective film music. His return ensures musical continuity that will be crucial for a sequel.
Both the 2023 film and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are produced by Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo, with the film being co-financed by Universal Pictures and Nintendo. Miyamoto’s direct involvement as producer ensures that Nintendo’s creative vision remains central to the adaptation, preventing the kind of unfaithful Hollywood reimaginings that plagued earlier video game movies.
Marketing Strategy: Building On Proven Success
Universal blasted off the Super Mario Bros Movie trailer during a New York Comic-Con panel in the fall of 2022 timed with an integration on Nintendo Direct, along with a global digital launch, with the second trailer dropping in November attached to Avatar: The Way of Water. This strategy maximized visibility by leveraging both gaming and mainstream film audiences.
For the sequel, the marketing campaign launched with the trailer premiere during a dedicated Nintendo Direct on November 13, 2025, immediately generating massive social media engagement. Universal’s proven partnership with brands like McDonald’s, Shake Shack, and 7-Eleven will likely return, creating cross-promotional opportunities that keep the film in public consciousness for months before release.
The April 2026 release date strategically positions Super Mario Galaxy Movie during spring break season, mirroring the first film’s Easter weekend debut that contributed to its record-breaking performance. This seasonal placement targets families with children out of school, maximizing attendance during a period when theatrical competition is typically lighter.
The Yoshi Question: Absent From The Trailer
The Direct didn’t include any indication of Yoshi appearing in the film, despite an Easter egg at the end of the first movie showing Yoshi’s egg cracking. This glaring omission has sparked intense fan speculation about whether Yoshi was deliberately held back from the trailer to preserve surprises, or whether the beloved green dinosaur’s role is smaller than anticipated.
A Pillsbury cookie box promotional tie-in earlier this year all but confirmed Yoshi’s inclusion while hinting at Rosalina and Bowser Jr.’s presence. The trailer’s silence regarding Yoshi suggests Illumination and Nintendo are saving his reveal for later marketing materials, potentially to maintain momentum as the release date approaches or to avoid spoiling a significant plot point involving his introduction.
Global Release Strategy And Box Office Expectations
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be released on April 3, 2026 in the US and many additional markets globally, and on April 24, 2026 in Japan, with select territories releasing throughout April. This staggered release strategy mirrors the first film’s approach, though the three-week gap for Japan seems strategic given the territory’s importance to Nintendo and Mario’s cultural significance.
Box office analysts predict Super Mario Galaxy Movie could match or exceed its predecessor’s performance. The first film’s success eliminated skepticism about Mario’s theatrical viability, meaning the sequel enters the marketplace with established brand recognition and goodwill. Additionally, the space-based adventure promises even more spectacular visuals than the first film’s already impressive animation.
However, some industry observers caution against assuming guaranteed success. The sequel faces challenges including superhero fatigue potentially extending to all franchise properties, increased streaming competition, and the difficulty of recapturing lightning-in-a-bottle success. Yet Illumination’s track record with sequels—Despicable Me 2 and Minions: The Rise of Gru both performed exceptionally—suggests Super Mario Galaxy Movie has every advantage possible.
What This Means For Nintendo’s Cinematic Universe
With “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” we’ll see just how intergalactic the series’ success can be. Success for this sequel virtually guarantees additional Mario films while potentially greenlighting movies based on other Nintendo properties. A Legend of Zelda live-action film is already in development with director Wes Ball, while properties like Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, and Luigi’s Mansion represent ripe opportunities for cinematic adaptation.
Nintendo’s cautious approach to Hollywood—protecting their intellectual property for decades after the disastrous 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros movie—has given way to strategic expansion now that Illumination proved video game movies can work when treated with respect and creativity. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie represents the second chapter in what could become a multi-decade cinematic enterprise rivaling Marvel and Star Wars in scope.
A Galactic Adventure Awaits
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer delivers exactly what fans hoped for: a visually spectacular, character-driven adventure that honors the source material while expanding Mario’s cinematic universe. Brie Larson’s Rosalina and Benny Safdie’s Bowser Jr. join a returning cast that proved their chemistry in the first film, while directors Horvath and Jelenic demonstrate confidence in pushing the franchise toward ambitious cosmic storytelling.
As the April 2026 release approaches, anticipation will only intensify for this sequel that promises to take everything that worked about The Super Mario Bros Movie and amplify it across the galaxy. Whether exploring spherical planetoids, confronting Bowser Jr.’s villainy, or witnessing Rosalina’s cosmic powers, audiences can expect another wahoo-worthy adventure that cements Mario’s place as not just gaming’s greatest icon, but a legitimate cinematic powerhouse capable of delivering billion-dollar entertainment.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie isn’t just a sequel—it’s proof that Nintendo’s partnership with Illumination represents the gold standard for video game adaptations, setting a template that other gaming franchises can only hope to emulate.
Read More: Radiohead Breaks Seven-Year Silence: Complete Setlist From the Band’s Triumphant Madrid Return
FAQs
When does the Super Mario Galaxy Movie release in theaters?
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie releases in the United States and most global markets on April 3, 2026. Japan receives the film on April 24, 2026, with select territories releasing throughout April. The film will be distributed worldwide by Universal Pictures.
Who voices Rosalina and Bowser Jr. in Super Mario Galaxy Movie?
Brie Larson voices Rosalina, the cosmic guardian from the Super Mario Galaxy games. Benny Safdie, known for directing Uncut Gems, voices Bowser Jr., who appears to be the sequel’s main antagonist. Both were confirmed during the November 12, 2025 Nintendo Direct trailer premiere.
Is Yoshi in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie?
While Yoshi has not appeared in the trailer, an Easter egg at the end of the first movie showed Yoshi’s egg cracking, and promotional materials have hinted at the character’s inclusion. It’s likely Yoshi is being held back from marketing to preserve surprises or avoid spoiling plot details.
How much did the first Super Mario Bros Movie make?
The Super Mario Bros Movie earned $1.36 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Illumination film of all time and the third highest-grossing animated film ever. It was also the most profitable film of 2023 with $559 million in net profit on a $100 million production budget.
Will the Super Mario Galaxy Movie adapt the video games?
The film draws inspiration from both Super Mario Galaxy (2007) and Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010), but also includes elements from Super Mario Odyssey, as evidenced by the Sand Kingdom’s appearance in the trailer. Rather than strict game adaptation, the sequel is creating a greatest-hits experience featuring beloved Mario locations and mechanics.
