The Super Mario Galaxy Movie marked a significant status quo shift for the Nintendo Company. The very first Super Mario Bros. Movie was certainly an experiment that paid off. But Illumination and Nintendo had to see whether there was more that could be done with the franchise. Mario is certainly a property on the rise, with theme parks, new video games, merch, and now, of course, the movies to enjoy.
However, no one could have quite expected the new heights that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie would take the franchise to. What this new era means for Nintendo is uncertain. Because with such momentum, it’s evident that the future should be bright. Nintendo is experiencing a trend of success, and many would hope that this will continue into the future. If it does, then many of the most popular video games of all time might receive the same treatment.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Is A Massive Financial Success
The bottom line is this: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a huge financial success. Indeed, it has brought in box office numbers that even Illumination has rarely seen. Thus far, the number of Illumination movies that have passed the $1 billion mark is rather slim. Despicable Me 3 and Minions are the only non-Nintendo properties. Meanwhile, the original Super Mario Bros. Movie managed to surpass them all at $1.36 billion, a first for the studio and a testament to the power of the video game brand. The studios were hoping that the sequel would be able to measure up.
As of this writing, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has also passed the $1 billion mark and is continuing to rise. By the time its run has finally concluded, it is entirely plausible that it sits alongside the original movie. So, while there may have been the tiniest drop in the box office thus far, it’s obvious that this is a runaway success and a clear sign that Nintendo’s fortunes have changed. To be able to live up to expectations and draw in audiences for yet more of the same is a testament to Illumination’s handling of Mario and Nintendo’s longevity.
This is not a fad or a phase, and with other video game properties like Minecraft also doing tremendously well at the box office, it’s evident that Nintendo is forging a path ahead into unknown territory. It is of no surprise at all that, with this triumphant return, there are further expectations to do it all over again. The faith is with Illumination and Nintendo, though, and a third film has already been commissioned. That’s alongside a Donkey Kong spinoff movie which has been in the works for some time and will see Seth Rogan return as the lovable anti-hero.
There is one area where these movies appear to struggle, though, and that’s critically. Reviewers have never taken to what Illumination is trying to achieve with the Mario run, and while it’s evident that these pictures play massively to the fans, many critics seem to view that in a negative light. However, the end result speaks for itself, with the Mario movies bringing in audiences and appeasing those who have followed the video games for years. These are projects designed for fans and families to enjoy, and the box office speaks for itself.
The Studio Has Drastically Changed Its Cinematic Fortunes
Irrespective of what the critics believe, the actual quality of the Mario movies is far improved from where the Nintendo brand has come from. It isn’t all that long ago that the video game developer was struggling to push past their own medium. The live-action Super Mario Bros. movie, for instance, is absolutely infamous. On that particular occasion, the reviews were spot on, because audiences absolutely rejected the poor imitation of the series that fans had loved so much. While the performances were admirable, the lore simply wasn’t up to scratch.
Indeed, Mario has also found its way to the small screen, but even then, those old school cartoons weren’t quite at the level of the recent cinematic outings. They were fun and visually vibrant and played to a much younger audience. But they never tried anything ambitious or pushed the popularity of the brand further. Rather, it was an add-on that simply appeased a niche crowd. The Super Mario Bros. Movie and its sequel go far beyond those limitations, allowing Nintendo to truly spread its wings towards spinoff territory.
But this trend, of having one success after another, even goes to show how far Nintendo has come in just a few short years. Ever since the absolute failure of the live-action outing, the Japanese video game company has been somewhat reluctant to ever enter the cinematic scene again. They had turned down multiple movie deals and remained firm in their dedication to the video game scene. For many, it seemed as if no studio would be able to get Nintendo to budge. If it did, then the success would have to be so astounding that the experiment was worth the effort.
That’s exactly what has happened here, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s continuation of that momentum will surely allow executives at Nintendo to rest easy, knowing that their properties are in safe hands. If The Super Mario Galaxy Movie had not performed well, there’s no telling what would have happened. The Donkey Kong project would have gone ahead regardless, since it is in development, but beyond that, perhaps the studio would have been hesitant to go further. Now, though, with another victory secured, it appears the experiments are about to get a little wilder.
The Experiment Continues With A Range Of New Projects
Without the initial success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, coupled with the recent hit that is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Nintendo wouldn’t be so confident with its upcoming lineup. However, with the company’s trust fully in the industry now that these experiences have been had, fans are finally getting to see the adaptations they’ve always dreamed of. First up is The Legend of Zelda, a live-action production which has gone into development with Sony and Arad Productions. Nintendo’s own studio is also collaborating on the piece.
There are two other separate Nintendo movies that are also in development, but they have yet to be announced regarding specific details. Fans are already speculating on the fact that they may be Mario spinoffs, including a Luigi’s Mansion or Mario Kart adaptation. But then there are those wider ideas introduced in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie that could lead to further spinoffs. Star Fox, for example, was introduced to the film, and audiences are convinced this was to test the stage for a potential solo movie of his own.
Equally, fans have also speculated that Nintendo wants to go even bolder with its ambitions. Super Smash Bros. has been teased countless times in the first two Mario outings, with Nintendo’s roster of characters like Pikmin, Fox McCloud, and R.O.B. all making cameos. This crossover event would act as the Avengers: Endgame for Nintendo, and with Zelda and properties like Pokémon entering the live-action realm (the latter with Netflix), the stock of those brands could rise enough for them to also tie into a cinematic experience like this.
The trend has been set. Nintendo is on an upward trajectory, and if the latest adaptations continue on that path, then the studio will lead the video game renaissance period in the land of cinema. The video game developer has always been ahead of the curve and is celebrated as a pioneer. This is just another avenue in which they can move confidently ahead, breaking new ground. Characters like Samus and Kirby are surely being eyed for future films, as Nintendo now takes stock of what they have to offer and celebrates their newfound value in this space.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
- Release Date
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April 1, 2026
- Runtime
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98 Minutes
- Director
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Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc, Fabien Polack
- Writers
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Matthew Fogel