So, it's finally happening. After basically every person on the planet watched the first one in 2023, Nintendo and Illumination have stopped playing coy. They’re taking us to space. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is slated for an April 3, 2026 release, and honestly, it’s about time we moved past the Mushroom Kingdom's grassy hills.
If you remember the absolute chaos of the 2023 release, it didn't just break records; it shattered the "video game movie curse" into a million tiny pixels. It made over $1.3 billion. Billion with a "B." But let's be real—while the first movie was a fun, nostalgic romp, it played it pretty safe. It was a "greatest hits" album. This new one? It’s looking like a whole different beast.
What Really Matters: The Rosalina Factor
The biggest news leaking out of the production is the inclusion of Rosalina. For the uninitiated, she isn't just another Princess Peach clone. She’s the protector of the Lumas and lives on a floating Comet Observatory. Casting rumors have been flying for months, but the buzz around Brie Larson taking the role has basically set the internet on fire.
You’ve got to wonder how they’ll handle the tone. The original Super Mario Galaxy game on the Wii had this weird, melancholic vibe to it. It wasn't just about jumping on Goombas; it was about lost mothers and the loneliness of the cosmos. If Illumination actually leans into that, we might get something with a bit more "soul" than the first flick.
Who Is Coming Back?
- Chris Pratt is obviously back as Mario (love it or hate it, the "wahoo" stays).
- Charlie Day as Luigi (hopefully with more screen time this time around).
- Jack Black is returning as Bowser, because you can't have a hit without another "Peaches" style earworm.
- Anya Taylor-Joy returns as a much more capable, action-oriented Princess Peach.
The plot seems to follow the "galaxy" blueprint closely. Mario and the gang aren't just saving the kingdom; they're saving the entire universe from a Bowser who has leveled up his ambitions. We’re talking planetary-scale threats.
Why The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Is Different From Borderlands
Look, we have to talk about the elephant in the room: Borderlands. That movie was a disaster. It pulled in a measly $33 million total against a massive budget. Why did it fail while Mario soared?
Honestly, it’s about the "vibe."
Borderlands felt like a movie made by people who read a Wikipedia summary of the game. Mario, on the other hand, feels like it was built from the ground up by people who actually enjoy holding a controller. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is leaning into the specific mechanics of the game—gravity-shifting, star-launching, and those iconic Lumas.
📖 Related: Super Mario Maker Nintendo Wii U: Why We Still Can’t Let Go of the Game That Changed Everything
The industry is watching this closely. We've moved past the era where a game logo on a poster was enough to sell tickets. Now, fans want "game-accurate" world-building. That’s why The Last of Us and Fallout worked on the small screen, and why Mario is dominating the big one.
The 2026 Gaming Movie Gold Rush
Mario isn't alone in 2026. It’s actually becoming a crowded year for us gamers.
- Return to Silent Hill (January 23): A psychological horror reboot that actually looks terrifying.
- Mortal Kombat II (May 8): Karl Urban is playing Johnny Cage. Need I say more?
- Resident Evil (September 18): Another reboot, but this time directed by Zach Cregger (Barbarian), which gives me actual hope for a scary RE movie for once.
Even with all these titles, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the one with the most pressure. It has to prove that the first movie wasn't a fluke. It has to show that Nintendo can build a cinematic universe that rivals Marvel—but, you know, with more plumber jokes and fewer multiverses.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Sequel
People keep asking if this is just The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2. Technically, yes. But internally, the shift to the "Galaxy" branding is huge. It signals a move away from the standard 2D platforming logic.
Expect the visuals to be trippy. We’re talking about spherical worlds and gravity wells. The first movie was colorful, sure, but "Galaxy" gives the animators at Illumination a chance to go absolutely wild with physics and lighting.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re looking to get ahead of the hype, here is what you should actually do:
- Replay the original game: Grab Super Mario 3D All-Stars or dust off the Wii. The movie is heavily referencing the "Comet Observatory" and the "Luma" lore.
- Watch the mid-credits scene again: That glowing egg at the end of the first movie? That’s Yoshi. He’s almost certainly going to be a major player in the sequel.
- Keep an eye on Nintendo Directs: They usually drop the best trailers there first, rather than during the Super Bowl.
The reality is that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the anchor for Nintendo’s entire Hollywood future. If this lands, expect a Zelda movie announcement to follow shortly after. If it misses? Well, we might go back to the dark ages of video game adaptations. But given the track record of Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri, I wouldn’t bet against the plumber.
To stay prepared for the April 2026 launch, start tracking the official Nintendo social channels for the first teaser drop, which is rumored to land in late 2025. Make sure your local theater has those premium IMAX seats booked early, because the "Galaxy" visuals are clearly being designed for the biggest screen possible.