Release Date: April 3, 2026
Based on: Mario and Super Mario Galaxy by Nintendo
Directors: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
Writer: Matthew Fogel
Producers: Chris Meledandri and Shigeru Miyamoto
Production: Illumination and Nintendo
Distribution: Universal Pictures
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) was a commercial success, grossing $1.36 billion at the international box office and breaking various records. For instance, it set the Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing movie based on a video game.
Also, the film earned two nominations at the 81st Golden Globe Awards for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song.
Due to the overwhelming success of the movie, which was inspired by Nintendo’s Mario video game franchise, a sequel was announced in March 2024, delighting fans worldwide.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will arrive in movie theaters on April 3, 2026, and the main voice cast has reprised their roles as the iconic characters.
The upcoming film is based on the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy, as well as other titles from the franchise. It is also expected to incorporate synonymous elements from the video game Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010).
According to Keegan-Michael Key, who voices Toad, the sequel will be “broader in scope,” and it will include “new folks and old favorites and some folks that are really deep cuts.”
The Plot
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has reportedly taken huge inspiration from the 2007 video game.
After Bowser launches an unexpected attack during a Star Festival, he kidnaps Princess Peach by stealing her entire castle using a gigantic flying saucer, taking it to outer space.
Mario will then team up with Rosalina, a cosmic guardian, and her star-shaped companions, the Lumas, with the goal of rescuing Princess Peach.
Rosalina also reveals to Mario that Bowser has stolen the Power Stars, which are an essential energy source for her starship, called the Comet Observatory, rendering it immobile while disturbing the universe’s balance.
As a result, the team must collect various Power Stars during the intergalactic rescue mission to restore order in the galaxy. Fortunately, they will have the Lumas’ ability to traverse space to rely on, which will help them to journey through various galaxies to defeat Bowser.
The Voice Cast
The voice cast for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie includes:
- Chris Pratt as Mario
- Charlie Day as Luigi
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
- Jack Black as Bowser
- Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
The sequel is expected to include the feature film debut of many key characters from the video game, including Rosalina and the star-like creatures, the Lumas. However, Universal Pictures hasn’t confirmed any additional voice actors.
The Creative Team
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is currently being produced by Illumination and Nintendo, with Universal Pictures serving as distributor.
Aaron Hovarth and Michael Jelenic, who directed The Super Mario Bros. Movie, returned to direct the sequel.
In addition to directing the first film, Hovarth is best known for directing Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018), Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans (2019), and Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas (2014).
Jelenic is best known for writing various DC animated movies, including Wonder Woman (2009), Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League (2015), and Batman vs. Two-Face (2017).
Also, Matthew Fogel returned to write The Super Mario Galaxy Movie after penning the first feature film from the franchise. He is best known for writing Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) and creating the story for The Lego Movie 2 (2019).