‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ is first film of 2026 to cross $1B

Super Mario Galaxy Movie became the first film of 2026 to surpass $1 billion worldwide, earning $428.5 million domestically and $571.5 million internationally, according to Deadline.deadline
Produced by Illumination, Nintendo, and Universal on a $110 million budget, the sequel is poised for substantial profitability, per Variety.variety
The milestone makes the Mario series the ninth-largest animated franchise globally, following the first film’s $1.36 billion run in 2023.deadline

Super Mario Galaxy Movie Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has become the first film of 2026 to surpass $1 billion at the global box office, reaching the milestone in its tenth weekend of release. The achievement cements Nintendo’s animated franchise as one of Hollywood’s most bankable properties.

A Billion-Dollar Orbit

As of this weekend, the Illumination and Universal co-production has earned approximately $428.5 million domestically and $571.5 million internationally, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. The film, which opened in U.S. theaters on April 1, reached $1 billion after a steady theatrical run that saw it crowned the highest-grossing release of the year within its first three weeks.deadline

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” was produced on a budget of roughly $110 million, modest by animated blockbuster standards, positioning it for substantial profitability. Variety reported that the film now leads the 2026 box office ahead of Lionsgate’s “Michael,” Amazon MGM Studios’ “Project Hail Mary,” and Disney’s “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”variety

Franchise Power

The milestone pushes the Super Mario animated franchise past $2 billion in cumulative global earnings, making it the ninth-largest animated franchise worldwide, according to Deadline. The first installment, 2023’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” earned $1.36 billion during its theatrical run. While the sequel is unlikely to match that total, it has demonstrated the enduring commercial appeal of one of gaming’s most recognizable characters.thewrap

The billion-dollar mark also represents a third top-ten animated franchise entry for producer Chris Meledandri, whose Illumination studio has built a track record of high returns on relatively lean budgets.deadline

What’s Next

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s run arrives at a moment when video game adaptations have become a reliable pipeline for studios. With two billion-dollar Mario films now on the books, attention will turn to whether Nintendo and Universal extend the partnership further. For now, the franchise has earned its place among animation’s elite earners — and the global box office’s most consistent performers.