Super Mario Galaxy Movie by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic | Universal

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, an animated adventure comedy, has officially arrived in theaters following its United States release on April 1, 2026. The film serves as a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 2023 and is based on the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy, its 2010 sequel, and the broader Mario franchise from Nintendo.

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the production was written by Matthew Fogel. The film is a joint production between Illumination and Nintendo, with distribution handled by Universal Pictures.

Plot and Cast Details

The narrative follows Mario, Luigi, and their companions as they travel into outer space. During their journey, they encounter Princess Rosalina and engage in a conflict with Bowser and his son, Bowser Jr. The film’s runtime is 98 minutes.

Several cast members from the previous film reprise their roles, including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Keegan-Michael Key. The ensemble is expanded with the addition of Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, and Brie Larson. Additional credits list Glen Powell as part of the cast.

Production and Financials

The film was produced with a budget of $110 million. According to available data, the movie has earned $129.4 million at the box office. The score for the film was composed by Brian Tyler, and editing was handled by Eric Osmond.

The project follows a strategic direction from Nintendo. In May 2021, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa indicated the company’s interest in producing more animated films based on its properties, provided the initial Mario film achieved success. This trajectory was further supported by Illumination CEO and producer Chris Meledandri, who addressed the possibility of a sequel prior to the April 2023 release of the first movie.

Release Timeline and Reception

The theatrical rollout began in Japan on March 28, 2026, at Minami-za, followed by the United States release on April 1, 2026. The film’s arrival has been met with various critical responses.

Reviewers have offered differing perspectives on the execution of the adaptation. Scott Mendelson of The Outside Scoop provided a review titled ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Does The (Whole) Mario and Nothing But The Mario, while Rendy Reviews published a more critical take titled ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Review: Let’s-a stop!

Key Production Credits

• Directors: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic (with additional direction attributed to Pierre Leduc and Fabien Polack via IMDb)
• Writer: Matthew Fogel
• Producers: Chris Meledandri, Shigeru Miyamoto
• Production Companies: Illumination, Nintendo
• Distributor: Universal Pictures